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Rev.
Tom Schwartz
Through gentle humor, practical
spirituality, and storytelling, the Rev. Dr. Thomas D.
Schwartz’s positive sermons on Sunday mornings empower
and encourage people, inspiring them to their limitless
potential to live authentically, dynamically, and
joyfully.
“I don’t know who originally said it, but I couldn’t
agree more with the following statement: ‘If it doesn’t
make a difference on Monday, it wasn’t worth doing on
Sunday,’” Pastor Tom stated. “Life is too short and time
is too valuable to waste a single moment of it.
Therefore, I strive to create a worship experience that
honors the investment of time made by those in
attendance.”
Pastor Tom earned the bachelor of arts degree in
history, cum laude, from Southwestern Oklahoma
State University in Weatherford. He earned the master of
divinity degree, magna cum laude, from Phillips
Theological Seminary in Enid, Oklahoma. Pastor Tom
earned the doctor of ministry degree with a
specialization in counseling from American Christian
College and Seminary in Oklahoma City and the master of
counseling psychology degree from Northwestern Oklahoma
State University in Alva. He also participated in the
Vacation Term for Biblical Study at St. Anne’s College,
University of Oxford, in 1997.
Pastor Tom served as pastor of First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in Jet, Oklahoma, from 1995 to
1996; Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in
Fairview, Oklahoma, from 1997 to 2004, and First
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Morris,
Oklahoma, from 2007 to 2010. All three congregations
experienced numerical and spiritual growth during his
tenure. The Morris church was recognized by the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United
States and Canada for being in the top 10 percent of
congregations its size for new members added in 2009.
In addition to his pastoral experience, Pastor Tom
served from 2005 to 2010 as a full-time hospice chaplain
for Sojourn Care of Tulsa, Inc., ministering to the
terminally ill and their families. From 2002 to 2004, he
was a part-time outpatient therapist for Youth and
Family Services of North Central Oklahoma in Enid.
In his leisure time, Pastor Tom enjoys listening to
music (especially 80’s) and spoiling his 10-year-old
son, Patrick, who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his
mother.
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Shay Meyer, Director of
Christian Education
Shay Meyer started attending
Immanuel United Church of Christ in 1997 with, her now
husband, Cris Meyer, who has belonged to IUCC since he
was in high school. Shay has a strong background in
youth, having been extremely involved in one way or
another as a youth herself at her home church in Baton
Rouge, LA (University United Methodist Church), to
assisting and leading in some capacity for 15 years both
here and at First United Methodist Church in Rosenberg,
TX. She has been coordinating and leading the high
school youth at Immanuel since 2005 and was called as
youth director in August 2008. She has participated in
several missions including Appalachian Service Project
and Habitat for Humanity. As a church member and leader,
she has shared her talents by participating in choirs,
big production plays, a praise team, and playing her
flute. Shay is deeply dedicated to our youth and has a
vested interest in their success as Christian human
beings as well as their well rounded personalities in
general. Along with, and under the guidance and support
of the senior pastor, Shay and the high
school youth are flourishing and have year round
activities and functions that include one and all.
Shay’s husband has been her #1 support since their
marriage in 2000, as well as co-youth leader at times.
They have two daughters, Lita and Myla. Shay is
available and welcomes contact from youth and their
parents. She can be reached at
shay@meyerranch.net
or at home (979)793-7656.
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