About Pastor Messer-
A native of Northfield, Massachusetts, Tom Messer grew up in a quaint New England town best known as the birthplace of famed Evangelist, D. L. Moody. As a child, Tom developed a love of sports, which eventually led him to Maranatha Baptist Bible College (now Maranatha Baptist University) in Watertown, Wisconsin. There, he studied and received his degree in Bible and Pastoral Ministry.
Following his graduation in 1982, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he began teaching and ministering at Trinity Baptist College while also completing a master’s degree.
His role in the college began with coaching basketball and leading the recruiting department. Over the next ten years, he took on additional responsibilities in administration and finances, becoming the Executive Vice President in 1991.
Devoted Husband, Father & GrandFather
He and his wife Lisa, who he met while in college, were married in 1982. They have four children, Drew, Christie, Michael, and Jacob. Drew and his wife, Tara, have one child, Harlan.
Their daughter Christie and son-in-law, Patrick, have two children, Tripp and Blaire Alice. Their son, Michael was recently married to Annie John. The youngest, Jacob is enrolled in college and working toward finishing his undergraduate degree.
Life in Ministry-
In November of 1991, Tom assumed the duties of an Associate Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. Just one year later, in 1992, he was named as Senior Pastor of the church and began oversight of a large and growing ministry, including two schools: Trinity Baptist College and Trinity Christian Academy.
In addition to the educational ministries, the church also sponsors ministry to the homeless and addicted through Trinity Rescue Mission, Trinity’s Women and Children's Center, and Trinity Freedom Farm. The church operates Trinity Camp and Retreat Center on 70+ acres in Keystone Heights, Florida.
In 2014, the church expanded its outreach by planting a second campus in the Oakleaf community of Jacksonville. A third campus has been added this year in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville. Pastor Messer is committed to Biblical preaching, gospel centered ministry, and a passion for developing and coaching leaders who can impact the kingdom of God.
As lead pastor at Trinity Baptist, Tom is involved in leadership in all ministries and is instrumental in vision and strategic direction for all of Trinity Ministries, which encompasses over 400 full time employees, a budget in excess of $23 million dollars, and 6 locations throughout a three-county area in Northeast Florida