Meet Pastor Tom
Pastor Tom joined the pastoral staff of GBF in June 2016 after serving nine years as a Portland Police Officer. Before his law enforcement career, he proudly served in the United States Navy, where he met his wife, Tami. His journey has taken him from military service and policing to pastoral ministry, theological education, and Christian leadership, all driven by a desire to faithfully serve Christ and equip His church.
Military Service and Law Enforcement
Pastor Tom served in the United States Navy before beginning a nine year career with the Portland Police Bureau. These experiences shaped his leadership, discipline, and commitment to serving others. His background in both military and law enforcement continues to influence his ministry, providing a unique perspective on leadership, integrity, courage, and caring for people during life’s most difficult moments.
Education and Theological Training
After leaving the Navy in 2004, Pastor Tom began his formal theological education at Multnomah University, where he earned a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies with a minor in New Testament Greek.
He later attended Western Seminary and completed a Master of Theological Studies degree, continuing to deepen his understanding of Scripture and Christian doctrine.
In 2019, Pastor Tom began doctoral studies at The Master’s Seminary with a specialization in expositional preaching. His dissertation focused on the doctrinal foundations for church unity as taught by the Apostle Paul, reflecting his passion for sound biblical teaching and the unity of Christ’s church.
A Passion for Biblical Teaching
Pastor Tom is passionate about helping Christians grow in their understanding of God’s Word and applying biblical truth to everyday life. His ministry is centered on faithful exposition of Scripture, theological depth, and practical discipleship.
He believes that spiritual growth comes through knowing God’s Word, and he desires to equip believers with both biblical knowledge and a deeper love for Christ.
A Heart for Evangelism
Along with his commitment to biblical teaching, Pastor Tom has a deep desire to see Christians confidently share the gospel with others.
He believes the message of Jesus Christ transforms lives and that every believer has the privilege of making Christ known. His ministry continually emphasizes both growing in faith and faithfully proclaiming the hope of the gospel to a world in need.
Global Missions Experience
Pastor Tom’s military service and mission opportunities have taken him to more than a dozen countries around the world.
Some of his greatest joys have come from worshipping alongside Christians from many different cultures and backgrounds. These experiences have reinforced his appreciation for the unity of believers across the world and the power of the gospel to transcend language, culture, and nationality.
Seeing God’s work through the global church has strengthened his commitment to biblical truth, church unity, and worldwide evangelism.
Teaching the Next Generation
In the summer of 2025, Pastor Tom accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Corban University.
In this unique role, he combines his military, law enforcement, and theological background to prepare future criminal justice professionals through a distinctly Christian worldview. As a faculty member, he seeks to integrate biblical truth into every aspect of criminal justice education while encouraging students to pursue excellence, integrity, and faithfulness to Jesus Christ within their chosen profession.
Pastor, Teacher, and Shepherd
Whether preaching from the pulpit, teaching in the classroom, traveling on mission, or serving within the local church, Pastor Tom’s desire remains the same, to help people know Christ more deeply, understand God’s Word more faithfully, and live lives that bring glory to Him.
Together with his wife, Tami, he considers it a privilege to serve the church family at GBF and to invest in the spiritual growth of people of every generation.
