Information about Tom Atema: Born in Northern New Jersey, in 1948, to a Godly mom and dad, Tom was quick to learn the value of a walk and service with Jesus Christ; and through work with his Dad in the wholesale dairy business, he learned the value of good business practices. His love for the Lord began at an early age when his Mom and Dad not only had a business to manage, two boys to raise, but also helped start a church in Wyckoff, NJ. As church planters and a love for youth, Tom’s parents were deeply involved in starting a youth ministry and took the youth to every event they could to expose them to ministry beyond themselves. Tom’s first ministry assignment was very much part time. Tom started a weekly radio program in the 70’s when he became involved in his own radio broadcast called “Sunday Sounds” which aired on WBUX in Doylestown, PA. It was during this time that he felt a call into the ministry. In 1985, Tom made a radical change from the “business world” to the “ministry world” by accepting an assignment as Area Missionary Representative for Word of Life Fellowship and was responsible for Bible Clubs in New Jersey, New York City, Long Island and Staten Island. The responsibility included teaching lay leaders how to work with young people in their local churches. He also served as Director of Gift Planning Ministry and Development for Word of Life Fellowship and in 1990 became Director of Word of Life Florida Conference Center and Youth Camp. In 1993, Tom moved to Asheville, NC and began work at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove. In 1999, the Association asked Tom to serve as Executive Director of Blue Ridge Broadcasting, the radio ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The Lord saw favor on the radio ministry and for 5 consecutive years the audience and budget increased by 45%. In 2003, EQUIP (A ministry founded by Dr. John C. Maxwell) asked Tom to serve as a volunteer Associate Trainer - teaching Biblical Servant Leadership in Beirut, Lebanon, as well serve as a Lead Trainer throughout the world. January 1, 2006, Tom accepted his new assignment as VP of International Ministries and Strategic Partnership with EQUIP. Tom is responsible for the ministry of EQUIP in 111 nations, with 208 Associate Trainers, training 1.7 million Christian leaders internationally. Tom was ordained into Gospel Ministry on June 16,1996. He is active in his local church, and has and continues to serve on many boards. In addition, he also serves on the Board of National Religious Broadcasters. Tom is also Founder and President of Vertical Horizons Group. A ministry dedicated to walk with ministries, lifting them to higher effectiveness. Tom and his wife Chris live in Cumming GA. They have been married for 34 years and are the proud parents of two grown sons, two daughters in law, and three precious grandsons, Logan, Carson and John Thomas. Tom loves the Lord with all his heart and has chosen as his life verse: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them,
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