Tom has served as the Lead Pastor of the Nappanee First Brethren Church since August of 2003, having first come to this congregation as Associate Pastor for one year. Prior to his service with this congregation, he was Senior Pastor of Smoky Row Brethren Church in Columbus, Ohio from 1992-2002 and pastor of the Lanark, IL First Brethren Church for 5 years (1987-1992). He has served the Brethren Church as Moderator of General Conference (2007-2009) and in several district offices. Tom also serves with Time to Revive and is currently one of the teachers for their ReviveSCHOOL. Prior to entering the pastoral ministry, Tom was the band director at Crestline (OH) High School, Wynford High School in Bucyrus, OH, and marching band director at Ashland University. He grew up on the family farm outside of Bucyrus, Ohio, and is a Graduate of Ashland University (Bachelor of Music) and Ashland Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity). Tom and his wife Julie are the proud parents of 3 adult daughters Kimberly Bell (and their granddaughter Kaitlyn and grandson Nathaniel) of Nappanee, Bethel (Andrew) Burton (and their granddaughters Abigail, Ruth & Lydia) of Mansfield, Ohio, and Laura (Aaron) Penhorwood (and their grandson Kyle) of Columbus, Ohio.