About the Author

Graduated from Calvin Seminary, Tom taught “the basics” of the Bible for 35 years as Pastor of Immanuel Church in Metro Detroit. Currently, he devotes the majority of his time to the development of Basics of Life Ministries. Tom also teaches at a three-quarter house in Pontiac, at New Hope Recovery Ministry and in the homes of many individuals seeking discipleship. He is married to Nancy, an administrative assistant for Macomb Country, and blessed with three married children and six grandchildren. Tom and Nancy are enjoying family experiences rooted in 42 years of walking together with Jesus. 

About the Ministry

Jesus described both the purpose and goal of His Ministry in two statements: “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness” and “I will build my church.” Simply stated, he came to build a Community of Life.

The church is a building, constructed not of bricks and mortar but of human beings. During three years of ministry Jesus laid a Foundation of Life in twelve persons, revealing the Father’s architectural design. Subsequently, He entrusted the project to the twelve with a specific work order: “Make disciples … teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

“Disciple-making” involves two essentials: attachment and training. “Jesus appointed twelve that they might be with him.” A disciple is a person attached to Jesus ... the Source of Life. Being so attached, a disciple is trained by the Spirit to become like Jesus. “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

Rooted in and motivated by the ministry of Jesus, Basics of Life Ministries, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was created in August of 2002 to advance Jesus’ construction project via attachment and training. Its primary tool is Basics of Life, a sixteen section construction manual summarizing the basic building blocks of Life as demonstrated by Jesus.

Here’s an example. Though nurtured in a stable family, John began the journey of addictive bondage with marijuana and acid at age eleven. Admitted to ten different inpatient treatment centers, John traveled Destruction Road for over twenty eight years. Finally, God got John’s attention. After a second drunk driving offense, the court ordered eighteen months at an inpatient facility where Tom was teaching. Shackles were gradually loosed. John became attached to Jesus. Training in obedience to “everything I have commanded you” has followed for over four years. The results are glorious! Today, John is a respected leader in New Hope, a Christian Recovery Ministry. Another “living stone” has been added to Father’s building!