Sunday was not a day that I wanted to come around. Today is not a day that I wanted to write. Today is not the time that I want to talk about–just yet–all that he meant to me. Today is not a desire to begin living Sundays and Tuesdays without him–or any other day of the week encounter that may occur. Today is not my best day, but it is reality for me and for my dear friend Tom. Tom’s reality is that at 3:55 pm on Sunday, August 15 he entered the glorious place we Christians call heaven. My reality is that I miss him, I will miss him, and my life will eventually be redefined–already has–with his absence.

Tom was a friend, one of my dear pastors for the past few years, and a mentor in ministry. He loved Jesus and wasn’t afraid to tell anyone he met of his love and devotion to a savior who rescued him from the gutter of life (recommended reading: “From Gutter to Grace” by Pastor Thomas Tarpley, available on Amazon) I will let his book give justice and testimony to the man that I had grown to know and love, especially while serving alongside him in Celebrate Recovery.

Who else is Tom? If you had a chance to hear about how he came to Fowlerville MI you’d love the story. He was a black man, serving in the United Methodist Church, and Fowlerville’s UMC needed a pastor. They called Tom to the position. “Do you know who you’re talking to?!” he asked his superintendent. He was moved to a predominantly white community to serve in a church made up of all white folks. In his own words “it was the best assignment I ever had”.

After officially retiring from the UMC, Tom’s plans to move south were interrupted by God and he agreed to join the staff of Fowlerville United Brethren in Christ as its care pastor and quickly took the overseer and lead position in Celebrate Recovery, a 12 step program for adults. Tom was familiar with the 12 steps. Up until his death, he had celebrated 32 years of sobriety from alcohol and drugs. Everywhere he went he was usually wearing his CR shirt and telling people about two things–Jesus and CR!

I met Tom when he was the lead pastor at the Fowlerville UMC. I’d heard him preach at community worship services and loved the messages he gave, powerful scripture based words that flowed from his barrel chest, sometimes with or without a microphone. Tom never let an obstacle stop him from preaching. In fact, the last time he was scheduled to preach at our church he woke that morning to broken dentures. “Never mind” he messaged our operations manager..”if I have to super glue them together, I will. Guess ‘someone’ doesn’t want me giving this message this morning…” that was Tom. He was unstoppable, stubborn, a man doing kingdom work up until age 78. You see, part of Tom’s philosophy in life is that a Christian never retires. There’s always something to do and someone who needs to hear about Jesus’ saving grace. One of his best sermon lines was “if you were the only person alive on earth, Jesus would have died for you.”

Tom’s eulogy and other accomplishments will be honored at his funeral service. I’ll leave that obligation to those serving him that day. He didn’t like being the center of attention even though he easily took command of situations needing a leader. He LOVED worshipping God, singing at the top of his lungs and clapping his hands while shuffling and swaying to the music. I’m most certain he’s doing that right now, from the moment he arrived. Hopefully the heavenly worship band will play and sing “No Longer Slaves” (Zach Williams).

Tom attended the National Celebrate Recovery Summit in July 2020. He came home and developed a cold which turned out to be symptoms of the covid virus which escalated to pneumonia. The sickness was too much for his body and in the hospital on Sunday, after being there a week, he died. Wishing I could have been a fly on the wall, I like to believe that before heavy sedation was necessary to give him the rest his weary body needed, those doctors and nurses attending him heard about Jesus. Somehow I hope they knew that they had one of God’s mighty warriors in their care.

My last conversation with Tom was on the very subject matter of covid. We both agreed that “if I (meaning himself or me) get covid and die, I win, I’m with Jesus. If I get covid and live, I win, I’m with family and friends until my time comes.” We had that conversation, bathed in complete confidence and peace because of our shared faith and hope in Christ and a home prepared for us, for all believers in Heaven.

So, today, is not a favorite day but it remains a good day. Ministry is moving forward and yes, without our beloved brother and leader with us, but going forth. We–I–am doing so because it’s the right thing to do as I remember Tom. It’s what Tom preached and what he would insist upon.

I’m not ready to totally use all “past presence” grammar when referring to my friend. In fact, it I’m totally honest, I don’t have to. You see, Tom’s body has died. It served its purpose. Tom’s soul and spirit are now in Heaven where he IS living for eternity. So, I can smile and refer to Tom as “he is……” not “he was….” He WAS a lot of good things, flaws and all that drove him to substance abuse at a very young age and eventually drew him into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and a journey of healing with his 12 step programs. Some writers might say “if you want to know more about this man Tom”. Nope! Tom would have THiS friend and writer say “if you want to know more about this man JESUS, let’s talk.” Better yet. Find a Bible believing church this Sunday and go! If you’re trapped in addiction, deep hurt or nasty habits, find a Celebrate Recovery. I guarantee you that both places may have its band play and sing “No Longer Slaves”. If they do, you’ll soon be swaying, clapping and singing the very words that exemplifies my friend, Tom.