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.

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.