Tom was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and has attended Christ’s Church Federal Way since 1993. He married Sue Lathrop on his 21st birthday in 1973, and they have two sons. Their older son, Don, and his wife Annalise have two daughters, Graciella and Lydia, and attend Christ’s Church. Their younger son, Mark, and his wife Megan have three daughters—Scarlett, Cora, and Eve—and attend Sunset Bible Church in University Place.

Tom’s education includes Whitman Hanson Regional High School, Sacramento City College, American River College, teachers training at Moody Bible Institute, and U.S. Army training in telephone and teletype repair. Raised Roman Catholic, Tom came to faith through the witness of fellow soldiers and surrendered his life to Christ on April 17, 1974, at a Billy Graham crusade in Paso Robles, California. He was mentored for five years by British missionary Peter Plummer with Worldwide Evangelism Crusade and has since been involved in missions and prison ministry in China, Russia, the Philippines, and throughout Africa.

Tom’s ministry passion is teaching, discipleship, and prison ministry, which he has pursued since 1983. He enjoys reading, writing, teaching, missions, developing Bible lessons, and daily prayer walks at Dash Point State Park. He has authored three Christian books under the pen name A.T. Lathrop. Tom is most encouraged by seeing lives transformed by Christ and values truth lived out with integrity. His favorite book of the Bible is Ephesians, he enjoys Korean food, cheers for the Seattle Seahawks, loves Mount Rainier, and appreciates worship music with strong, biblically grounded lyrics.