“I’m always reminded that I’m a work in progress and He is my helper.” -- Tom Alongi, Children's Ministry Pastor
- Born and raised in Olympia.
- Married to Linda, whom he met at a Calvary Chapel Bible study.
- Father of daughters Maiya and Jenna.
- Earned his Psychology degree and teaching certificate at Saint Martin's College.
FEATURE: PASTOR TOM AFTER HOURS
Sounds like you’ve done a lot of soul searching during your Christian life...? Through some painful but beneficial circumstances in my life, God showed me things about myself I needed to know. Through these times I was faced with the reality of who I really was, a sinner in desperate need of a Savior.
How did God reveal that reality to you? I am always reminded of one of the first things God did in my life. I attended a local church when I was young and our youth pastor took us to the ocean for the day. As we were playing on the beach, he instructed us to take a break and come on the bus. He wanted us to pick something in our lives that we felt was interfering with our relationship with God and to pray about it.
As a child, I knew I was very selfish and knew that couldn’t be very pleasing to Him. At that time, I think the only verse I knew from the Bible was John 3:16. I decided this was the area I needed to pray about. During my prayer, I remember confessing my selfishness to God. As I was praying, God spoke to my heart and told me to turn to Philippians 2:3. It was so clear. “Huh? Where’s Philippians,” I asked myself. I had to go the table of contents to find it and turned to the page and this is what it said: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” I pinched myself and said “Did that really just happen?!”
I am so thankful that God showed this to me at a young age because this has been a challenge for me. I’m always reminded that I’m a work in progress and He is my helper. I know the Lord's desire is for me to put Him first in my life and to consider others before myself. I pray every day that He will grant me the grace to have greater success in this area of my life.
What brought you to Calvary Chapel Olympia? I had family members who attended Calvary Chapel and I started attending in my early teen years. I knew I needed to be in church for my spiritual growth. I appreciated Pastor Chuck’s ability to teach God’s Word and the worship times too.
What is the vision God has put on your heart for the Children’s Ministry at CCO? As the Children’s Ministry pastor, I want each child to know they are loved by God and by those who work with them. As we teach them God’s Word and continue to love them, I pray they will choose to become followers of Jesus and be used by Him to share the Good News with those who do not know Him.
What are some highlights of your service here? Jesus has always shown his faithfulness in the children’s ministry. He is the head of the ministry and we are the body. He has always provided and shown His hand at work. It’s been amazing to watch and I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I am so appreciative that we have a dedicated bunch of teachers and helpers who see the value in reaching children for Jesus. They are touching lives in very special ways---- Thanks!