Pastor has sacred charge

When Tommy Thompson graduated from East Bay High School in 1989 he imagined a long career in the Air Force. Thompson served 11 years as an electronics specialist before God redirected him into ministry. He served churches in Satellite Beach, Sarasota and Tampa before coming to Grace Baptist Temple in 2009.

What's your role here?

I came as co-pastor last August, to work with the church's founder, Ruben Nance. He was here 36 years and started this ministry from scratch. He retired last month and has been most gracious. Now my focus covers Temple Christian Academy, too. My experience is that Christian education is the only way to train young people. Last year we had 50 children through eighth grade. I want to add a high school grade each year starting in 2011.

Will there be any changes after 36 years?

The church peaked at around 150 10 years ago, then dwindled to 30-35 every Sunday. Now we're averaging in the 70s. We've been having tons of visitors, with so many saved and baptized. It's exciting. It's God's church and he's going to build it his way.

What will visitors find?

A family-oriented ministry. We want to minister proactively to every age. Bible preaching and Bible teaching is the core of what we do.

Expository preaching, line upon line, precept upon precept - to help families have Christ-centered, Bible-centered lives.

Are you traditional in style?

We're very evangelistic, so our singing is traditional, very conservative. It's congregational singing, rather than the "spectator and entertainment" mentality many churches have today. The preaching is the peak of every service, followed by a good old-fashioned invitation so people can respond.

Do you have a family?

I have a wonderful marriage with my wife, Vicki (Huff). She's beautiful inside and out. She's home-schooled our girls - Alexis, 16, and Hannah, 14, - for years, plus worked with Christian schools. She's coming on board this week as the main secretary here.

After moving so much, how do you like Brandon?

I've always loved Brandon. My lifelong friends still live here. It's a quaint community, with down-to-earth people who are easy to talk to.

We evangelize, and people are very open, very cordial.

What's Brandon's big challenge?

It's a good question. I've been led to come back here and minister, so I'm concerned with people's relationship to God. I have a sacred charge to reach people with the Gospel message.

What plans do you have for church expansion?

This summer we're renovating the front and bringing it up to date.

Then I see three phases for the campus. First, work on the entry; adding paving, and renovating the 250-seat auditorium. Second, a two-story education building. Finally, a new 1,000-seat auditorium.

It's probably an eight- to 10-year process.

Do you have a Scripture to share?

I have my life's verse, Proverbs 3:5-6. It's been a guiding principle all my days. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path." It reminds me on a daily basis that if a work is going to be built here, it's God that does it.

Are you optimistic?

Every place I've served, the Lord has done wonderful things. God is blessing what I'm trying to do. Ninety percent of this ministry depends on my walk with God, so it's not just another career or just another job. I know how God has blessed, and he will do it here. God has given me the experience and the vision for a bright future. So long as we do God's work, God's way.

MEET TOMMY THOMPSON

POSITION: Pastor

WHERE: Grace Baptist Temple, 2909 John Moore Road, Brandon

CALL: (813) 689-7190