About Tommy

I was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts (near Boston).  My father was a mail carrier; when he could no longer stand the cold winters he brought our family to Hollywood, Florida.  I was five.  I graduated from Hollywood Hills High School in 1976.

After two years at Florida State University, I returned home and began working in the Hollywood Fire Rescue Department.  I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology at Florida International University during this time.

After nearly a decade of service in the Hollywood Fire Rescue Department, I founded the Total Wellness Fitness Center in 1991.  My focus was the field of personal development; my mission was to encourage, inspire and motivate others to live at the peak of their abilities in every area of life.

In 1993, I asked Kim Waddell to marry me and she consented. I am sure that my beloved has oft wondered what manner of madness compelled her to say “Yes,” but I can only say how extraordinarily blessed I am that she did. Kim is my closest friend, my chief encourager, and my wisest counselor. Truly, she is my life partner—my helpmeet and my soul mate.

In 1995 God raised Kim and I from death to life, which began our spiritual pilgrimage. This blog is, at least in part, a means of chronicling and sharing that pilgrimage with you.

Tommy’s Bio

Pastor Tommy (affectionately known as “Coach”) currently serves as Minister to Men, Marriage, Family and Sports at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is his great joy to encourage and equip the body of Christ to grow to maturity. Powerfully and pastorally, Tommy delivers his Grace For The Race message to a world in desperate need of the gospel.

Tommy began his work in full-time church ministry under his spiritual mentor, pastor and friend, Dr. D. James Kennedy.  The leadership torch at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church was passed in 2009 to the new senior pastor, Tullian Tchividjian. Tullian’s God-centered, gospel-saturated message of grace has taken Tommy’s passion to new levels.

Tommy has authored a number of Bible study and Christian living materials for men, women and youth that are used as resources throughout the body of Christ. As a speaker and seminar facilitator, he challenges his audiences to live radically sold-out lives for Christ. Tommy serves as part of the National Leadership Team for the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), creating curriculum and programming to revitalize Men’s Ministry throughout the denomination.

Pastor Tommy received his Master of Divinity from Knox Theological Seminary and is looking forward to his work in the Doctor of Ministry program.  He also holds an undergraduate degree in the field of Exercise Physiology, completing his undergraduate work at Florida State University and Florida International University.   Tommy continues to serve in this field, volunteering as a spiritual mentor and coach to the students at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale.

Tommy leads Bible Application Courses each week at CRPC as well as the Brother Brigade men’s study. He contributes a monthly article to the Good News Newspaper and can be heard monthly on the South Florida Moody Radio affiliate, WRMB.

He lives in Fort Lauderdale with his best friend and wife Kim and their four children: Brock, Jenna, Katie and Zack.