While not new to PUMC, Tom Lank has agreed to join the staff on a full time basis as our Assistant Pastor. Over the next few months, Tom with be working closely with Rev. Jana Purkis-Brash in defining their roles as they look to provide pastoral care and leadership for the church. As many of you know, Tom recently received his Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Tom Lank was born and raised in rural Delaware and has been Methodist from the cradle. In 1993 he had the opportunity to join a youth mission to Zimbabwe sponsored by the Northeast Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. That trip not only was the occasion of his Christian awakening, it also spawned in him a concern for poverty and its causes.
- Photo of Tom Lank and his Family. UM Relay photo © John C. Goodwin
Tom has returned to Southern Africa twice more to study and work in international development. At Cornell University (BA ’98) Tom studied International Relations and African Studies. He also has a Master’s in International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University (’02).
Shortly after receiving that degree Tom married his wife, Gretchen, and they moved to Princeton where Gretchen recently completed her doctorate in American History. They found their church home at Princeton United Methodist right away – attracted first by the strength of the music and adult education programs, and subsequently by the wonderful people they met. Through the impact of a Disciple Bible Study and the encouragement of many members of the church, he began the United Methodist ordination process in 2004. Tom and Gretchen's beautiful daughter, Edith, was born in 2005, and their baby, Alice, was born in 2008. Their two daughters continue to be their greatest joy. Tom graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in May 2008 and seeks to empower the church as it announces the reign of God -- in its feeding of the hungry, welcoming of the stranger, clothing of the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting of the prisoners (Matthew 25:34-40).
In Tom's spare time he enjoys playing baseball and softball, watching comedy shows, following international and domestic politics, and thinking about where he’d like to travel next if he had the money. His reading interests include history, politics, theology, cognitive science, and horror fiction. His favorite book of the Bible is Luke.
Description of Duties:
As the Assistant Pastor, Tom is responsible for, among other things:
- Pastoral Care and Visitation
- Membership training and recruitment
- Assisting in the Liturgy
- Providing training and support for small group leaders for adult ministries
- Coordinating children’s sermons
As a servant of the church, he is responsible for equipping and assisting the congregation in its efforts to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
