Tom Pickett, pictured at right with his wife Adrienne, pastors New Hope Christian Fellowship, the GCI congregation meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. When Tom was just six years old, he was sent to live with his uncle, aunt and cousins in Phoenix, Arizona. “My Dad had graduated from an optometric college in Chicago. During the time he was setting up practice and moving, my parents thought it would be best for me to live temporarily with my family in Phoenix. After they got settled in Gunnison, Colorado, my parents came and got me.” Growing up in Colorado, Tom says, “instilled in me midwestern ethics and a conservative mindset that I still have today.”
In the early 60s, Tom’s dad started listening to The World Tomorrow radio program in the evenings. “He decided to share what he had found with his family. After I first listened in 1963, my dad and mom drove to California to check out Ambassador College. He came back with an application for me to apply for the fall semester. I was 19 at the time.”
Tom got much more than an education at Ambassador. “I met my wife-to-be, Adrienne Russell there. It was 1964 when we first dated on the Pasadena campus. It didn’t take long to realize that she was the one for me. We were married after graduation in 1967. She is the mother of our two sons, David and Andrew, and the love of my life.”
Tom worked at the Pasadena headquarters for a number of years, serving in many capacities. “Before being commissioned as a pastor, my experience in the church was one of service. I was a deacon for 14 years and then a local elder for five. So when I became a pastor, my joy was to serve the members.”
Tom and Adrienne moved to Texas where Tom now pastors the Fort Worth congregation, which meets in Euless. Tom says that Adrienne is a big part of his ministry. “She is my confidant, counselor and prayer partner. She also leads praise and worship at church and gives encouragement and counsel to the members. We are ‘connected at the hip’ in ministry and everything else in our life together. She truly is God’s gift to me!”
Tom’s sons are a big part of his favorite memories of ministry. “My most memorable moment came in three parts when I had the blessing of baptizing my sons David and Andrew and the privilege of officiating at their weddings to their beautiful brides, Joni and Jonelle.”
When asked what he enjoys most about being part of GCI, Tom said, “I appreciate that we are continually growing in the grace and knowledge of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Just when I think I understand who Jesus is, he reveals himself more fully. We as a denomination have responded positively to that revelation each time.”
Tom is also involved in the Office of Reconciliation and Mediation (ORM). “I became involved in 1998 when we hosted a reconciliation conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Since then I have been an ORM chapter leader. I also got involved in a related radio ministry with my son, David and Curtis May. It’s titled A Time to Reconcile. It’s a weekly program on KCLE, 1460 am in the Fort Worth and Dallas area. It also is uploaded to YouTube at www.youtube.com/atimetoreconcile.”
When asked about his passion, Tom said, “the reconciliation or eternal relation that Jesus has given to all humanity, and the reality that he has made all believers the ministers of it.”
Enjoyed all the comments about Adrienne, Tom. We know you two so well and have had so many rich experiences together, but it’s nice speaking of how much of your life and ministry your wife remains. Thanks for your consistent example of service to the brethren.
Love, JR & HBR
Tom and Adrienne, good to read about you both and your family and of some of the blessings God has bestowed on you in your walk with him. I appreciate that you all are a blessing to your congregation and community and that you are effective in the reconciliation of all people with God and each other.