Tom Teekell, Pastor
tom@sfawesley.org
Kirbyjon Caldwell is the pastor at Windsor Village, the largest United Methodist Church in the United States. When you discover that the church had a membership of 25 when he became the pastor, you realize that it would be wise to listen when he speaks. I heard him address college students at national event several years ago when he said, “Show me your friends, and I will show you your future.” As a campus pastor for the last ten years, I’ve seen the truth in his words. Eventually, we always go where our friends go, do what our friends do, say what our friends say, and live like our friends live. If our friends are so pivotal, how should we pick them?
First, decide where you want to go. What kind of things do you want people to say about you when you are not there to hear it—when they aren’t softening their words for your benefit? Know your values and ask yourself why they are important to you.
Second, seek friends that will help you on your journey to get where you want to go. Choose your friends by their character—the kind of person you want to imitate. Don’t choose them by what they own or who they know and what they do for a good time.
Third, give them permission to let you know when you are straying from your set path. They can help you determine if you are falling away from your goals, or if you truly need to rethink your goals altogether. If they hold the same values you hold, they will be concerned for your welfare and be good guides.
Last, pray about each step along the way to let the Holy Spirit be your ultimate guide.
I believe that the students at the Wesley Foundation make friends of the highest caliber. Come join us as we walk together and, as our motto states, “find faith with friends.”
--Tom
Tom and his family
Tom Teekell accepted his call to ministry as a sophomore in college while on a retreat with the Wesley Foundation at Texas A&M University. After graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1992, he started seminary at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. He was also appointed as the pastor of two churches, Kosse and Reagan UMC's, while in seminary. In January 1996, he accepted a new appointment as the pastor of the Wesley Foundation at Kilgore College. In 1998, he and his wife Susan moved to Nacogdoches where he is currently serving as the pastor of the Wesley Foundation at SFASU. He and Susan have two children, Kay and James.
Articles by Tom
Ocassionally, Tom writes responses to newspaper articles. Most have to be edited for space, but the full articles are also provided here.
In response to a Pine Log article on abstinence (published March 10,
2005)
Original
Article
Full Response
Published
(edited) Response
In response to a Pine Log article on campus evangelism (published
on April 23, 2003)
Full
Article
Published
(edited) Article
In response to a Daily Sentinel advertisement by a local church entitled
"Most People Will Go To Hell"
Original
Advertisement
Tom's Response
Other items by Tom
How
to get involved in a church after college