Thomas:
My life began suddenly. My mother was losing the pregnancy. My twin and I were born at 6 months. Much too early in the year of the blind babies. Doctors did not know how to keep us alive and how much oxygen to give in the isolet. Tammy and I would stop breathing when we went to sleep and the nurses and doctors had to watch us very close. Tammy was in worse shape than I because she had been born first and took all the blows for me, opening the way for my life to be less fragile than hers. During a shift change the nurses missed seeing her fall asleep and she died if SIDS. I continued in the hospital for 60 days in an isolet and 30 more before I went home at a little over 4 lbs. My name is for my Grandfather Thomas Horn, but also it is biblical for that skeptical pragmatic disciple Thomas. He too was a twin and I cherish my sister's life. For if she had not gone before me, I might have been the one lost in this life to my family. Thus I clearly have been taught my life is a gift. This idea brought me to the later understanding of Christ, who went before me and took my blows that I might live.
I was born into a conservative missionary baptist family in the early sixties. I came to faith in the Lord Jesus by the age of 5 years. God's spirit began to move in my life and I felt the call to preach by the early age of 8 years. My father being willing to encourage my spirit told me that he would work with me and as I grew in the Lord I became more and more convinced that this was God's call. When circumstance would allow it Daddy took me visiting with him. I began preaching at age 16 doing devotionals, preaching sometimes at Nursing Homes. After graduating Highschool and attending college and some seminary I was liscensed March of 1986 at FBC Alex, OK. During the late 80s I attended seminary at BMATS in Jacksonville and preached Revivals in Arkansas and Oklahoma travelling with my very talented sister Karen Itzel. She and her husband now travel the US singing and writing Gospel Music for a living. In August of 1989 I was ordained into the ministry to my first Pastorate at Antioch Baptist Church near Maysville, Oklahoma. In 1990 the next best event to my salvation happened when I met and married Michelle Cove.
After pastoring several years God called me to East Texas to Pastor Ware Acres Baptist Church, now the relocated Camille Acres Missionary Baptist Church of Longview, TX. During our tenure of ministry here God has blessed us greatly. We have seen his hand upon a small group of faithful people grow into and exciting vision of replanting and relocation. We have seen his supply and direction when there was no other way to turn through dependency upon him. I cannot thank and praise the men, women, and children who have taken this journey with us. They have been and continue to be an inspiration to this young preacher.
God further blessed our life with the addition of our beautiful children. Caroline was our first and she amazes me with her beauty, intelligence and challenges me with her maturing teen perspective. Bekah is my light. When others might be down and depressed her generous spirit, her bright countenance lift my spirits like nothing else. I stand awestruck by her vibrant imagination an sweet beauty. Nathaniel means gift of God. He surely is a gift. After having five sisters and no brothers, and my wife having all sisters and only one brother I happily expected us to have another daughter which was entirely fine with me. God in his infinite wisdom and the precious secrets kept by our sonogram tech, Shelley, we were suprised by joy at his birth. He is and continues to delight and challenge us on a daily basis. I understand why without miracolous intervention babies are normally given by God to the young.
Michelle or Mimi as we know and love her fills the bill with grace, elegance and beauty. She blesses my life as a helpmate, pastors companion and confidant. She gracefully and carefully nudges me in my growth and life. In fact without her my ADHD would drive me bonkers. She is the calm in my life when storms are all around. I thank God and my mother and father in law for her. She is my north star. Especially when driving in Dallas or across the country. During this time of ministry she has finished her LVN and one day will finish her RN or BSN. With her ability and compassion for people in need the sky indeed is the limit.
During my time as Pastor I have finished my MAR and MAT at BMATS with equivalent Graduate hours as an MDIV. I continue education as God allows with the grace of my church and provision of time. I love learning and will continue as His plan affords me the time and space. God has richly blessed my life. There have been tough times and deep spiritually challenging moments during our relocation and rebuilding of our church facility. I am excited what God has been and is doing through his mighty transformation of lives at CABC.
