The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.
(Isaiah 35:1-10).
(Isaiah 35:1-10).
This week, we welcome Rev. Dr. Betty J. Tom, guest speaker, to our pulpit.
Rev. Dr. Betty Jean Tom was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rev. Tom professed a saving hope in Jesus Christ and was baptized at the age of 12 while growing up in the New Liberty Baptist Church, where she grew up serving in the church in various capacities and believes that she was, “born to serve God”. The benchmarks of Rev. Tom’s ministry are her desire to advocate for those who have no voice, her love for prayer, praise and worship, and the study of God’s Word. The scripture that best informs Rev. Tom’s ministry is Colossians 3:17, “and whatever you do in word or deed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Rev. Tom, formerly a teacher and school counselor in the Indianapolis Public School and Warren Township School districts for 22 years, holds a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL, (2013); a Masters of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN (2003); a Master of Science degree in Education from Butler University, Indianapolis, IN (1986); and a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University, Muncie, IN (1978). She has served churches in Indianapolis, IN, Mt Vernon, New York and Newark, New Jersey. After 21 years of full-time ministry, Rev. Tom is honorably retired as of
July 31, 2022.
Rev. Tom is a lifelong learner, social justice advocate and spiritual leader. She is an active member of the National Association of Presbyterian Clergy Women. She has served on the Advisory Board for the Presbyterian Hunger Program and currently serves as a board member for the Institute of Music for Children in Elizabeth NJ and the Jarvie Foundation and has written articles, essays and devotionals for the Indianapolis Star Newspaper, Presbyterian Today magazine, PHP Post. She has conducted several seminars and workshops on women in ministry with an emphasis on ministry as a second vocation. Rev. Tom is a philanthropist, an avid football and basketball fan who enjoys reading, writing, good jazz music, collecting books on prayer, water aerobics and swimming. Betty Tom is married to the Rev. Phil Tom and their blended family includes 6 children and three grandchildren.
Rev. Tom, formerly a teacher and school counselor in the Indianapolis Public School and Warren Township School districts for 22 years, holds a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL, (2013); a Masters of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN (2003); a Master of Science degree in Education from Butler University, Indianapolis, IN (1986); and a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University, Muncie, IN (1978). She has served churches in Indianapolis, IN, Mt Vernon, New York and Newark, New Jersey. After 21 years of full-time ministry, Rev. Tom is honorably retired as of
July 31, 2022.
Rev. Tom is a lifelong learner, social justice advocate and spiritual leader. She is an active member of the National Association of Presbyterian Clergy Women. She has served on the Advisory Board for the Presbyterian Hunger Program and currently serves as a board member for the Institute of Music for Children in Elizabeth NJ and the Jarvie Foundation and has written articles, essays and devotionals for the Indianapolis Star Newspaper, Presbyterian Today magazine, PHP Post. She has conducted several seminars and workshops on women in ministry with an emphasis on ministry as a second vocation. Rev. Tom is a philanthropist, an avid football and basketball fan who enjoys reading, writing, good jazz music, collecting books on prayer, water aerobics and swimming. Betty Tom is married to the Rev. Phil Tom and their blended family includes 6 children and three grandchildren.