Academic Dean
Tom was born in Excelsior, MN. He grew up Roman Catholic. When he was 16 he committed his life to Christ. After he graduated from Bethel College with a B. A. in Biblical and Theological Studies, he pursued further training at Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN) and Fuller Seminary 
(Pasadena, CA). He graduated from Fuller with a M. Div. From 1980-82 he worked part-time with College students at Bethlehem Baptist Church, taught Greek at Bethel College and finished his seminary studies at Bethel Seminary.
In 1982 Tom was ordained and came on Bethlehem’s staff full-time as pastor for Students and Adult Education. In 1984 his position was changed to Pastor for Students and Missions. In 1989 his position was changed again to Pastor for Missions & Leadership Development, overseeing 3 leadership development programs: Bethlehem’s Apprenticeship Program for Ministerial Candidates; Bethlehem’s Nurture Program for Missionary Candidates, and the Bethlehem Institute and Training Center. In 1990-91 Tom and his family served at the Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary.
After returning to Bethlehem Tom resumed his position until 1996 when he was asked to devote some of his time to developing and serving in the position of Executive Pastor. In 1997 after Bethlehem called its first full-time executive pastor, Tom was given a study leave at the Billy Graham Center in Wheaton Illinois, where he designed TBI (The Bethlehem Institute for Bible, Theology and Missions). In 1998 Tom returned to Bethlehem and implemented the vision for TBI. Since then Tom has devoted the lion’s share of his time to overseeing and teaching in TBI.
In 2008 The Bethlehem Institute grew into Bethlehem College and Seminary, where Tom was appointed to serve as the Academic Dean. Tom and Julie are the happy parents of Hannah, Ruth, Katie, Nate, and Emma. They live in the Elliot Park Neighborhood of Minneapolis, just a few minute walk from the downtown campus of Bethlehem.
Academic Credentials
- M.Div., Fuller Seminary
- B.A., Bethel College (Biblical and Theological Studies)