Several years ago, God had graciously provided me with the gift to teach and that has grown into being called to the ministry to shepherd a flock.

As a member of Calvary Chapel Olympia since early 2000, I was deeply involved in serving that body in roles such as an Usher, Men's Bible Study teacher and as a Home Group leader. I attended Calvary Chapel Bible College (via correspondence) in 2001-2003, and my main focus has been on studying God's Word, teaching God's Word, and just simply being faithful to God's calling to teach, and minister to my family and church body.

It was not until the late summer of 2003 that God made it clear to me, and confirmed it through my wife Sonja, my Sr. Pastor Chuck Lind, and many others, that I was being called into the pastoral ministry, and that Bonney Lake was where I was being called to go.

This has been confirmed time and time again through God's Grace and provision. Most notably when, on our first trip to Bonney Lake's City Hall to gather information about where we might meet in the area, we were graciously served by a woman at the customer service counter. After a few minutes, and in an effort to best serve us, it was revealed to her that we were attempting to plant a Calvary Chapel in Bonney Lake. It was shocking to find out that this wonderful woman had been saved at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa many years earlier! God works in such wonderful ways!

Leading the efforts in the planting of a full-time Calvary chapel in Bonney Lake was quite a task. We did not take a group of people with us from a previously established Calvary Chapel. With the help of the Lord, we are building this church body from within the Bonney Lake community. I am however a firm believer in "where the Lord guides, the Lord provides". I'm simply here to love and lead a flock, always pointing them to Jesus.

It has been an absolute joy watching God work in this process. We have seen Him do some pretty spectacular things! My heart is constantly excited about this church, and where the Lord might kead us. Together, lets all just be faithful to this calling, and together we will watch God build a Calvary Chapel that reaches a community with true Christian love.

Tom Spithaler