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|date = 2000-07
|date = 2000-07
|publisher = Charisma Magazine
|publisher = Charisma Magazine
}}</ref> He is currently in the process of establishing a ministry training centre in [[Nashville]], [[Tennessee]] in partnership with other senior charismatic leaders.<ref>
}}</ref> He is currently in the process of establishing a ministry training centre in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]] in partnership with other senior charismatic leaders.<ref>
{{cite website
{{cite website
|url = http://www.ctkatlanta.com/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_view/gid,7/Itemid,53/
|url = http://www.ctkatlanta.com/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_view/gid,7/Itemid,53/

Revision as of 15:40, 17 December 2008

Larry Tomczak is a prominent pastor and preacher based in the USA. He was a founder of the group now known as Sovereign Grace Ministries and of several prominent churches.

Conversion and PDI

Born into a Roman Catholic family in Ohio, Tomczak became locally famous as the drummer for the Lost Souls; a five-piece rock'n'roll band described by Richie Unterberger as a "Cleveland sensation".[1]

He came to faith in Christ during the charismatic renewal of the 1970s, as described in his popular book, Clap Your Hands. His leadership of the popular non-denominational TAG (Take and Give) meeting in Washington DC, founded by local resident Lydia Little led to further prominence.[2] He was soon joined in leadership by other fellow charismatic leaders. After a few years, TAG birthed an independent church, Gathering of Believers and after several name changes, became Covenant Life Church.[3] Covenant Life became a launchpad for the founding of People of Destiny International, a national (later international) church planting movement which subsequently shortened its name to PDI (People of Destiny International)[4] then Sovereign Grace Ministries.

Departure from PDI

In 1997, Tomczak says, the leadership "refocused," taking on a more Reformed/ Calvinistic theology, and he could no longer align himself with their vision.

Tomczak "came to a defining moment where I felt I no longer fit with the direction some of the other men were going with the ministry—doctrinally and directionally."

He says he took a step of faith to leave the movement and was seeking the Lord for direction. He planned to start a church in Atlanta, but then he got a call from an old friend, Michael L. Brown, dean of the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry.

The reports of the revival at Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Fla.--as well as his own experiences there—reminded him of his original mission: to see revival fill the earth and the hearts of men and women burn with passion for God.

"I felt [God] was recommissioning me to the path He had set me on," Tomczak says. "I felt the Lord was returning me to my roots of challenging people to fulfill their destiny while focusing on Jesus Christ and Him alone.".[5]

Recent Activities

Upon leaving PDI, Tomczak joined the faculty of Brownsville School of Ministry as Instructor in Practical Theology[6][7] and led the planting of Christ the King Church in Greater Atlanta.[8] He is currently in the process of establishing a ministry training centre in Nashville, Tennessee in partnership with other senior charismatic leaders.[9]


2008 Update:
Larry Tomczak has since left his church in the care of his son Jason Tomczak and wife Michele Tomczak. Larry left to take over the head seat for the Every Nation's Leadership Institute. Larry, his wife, and daughter live now in Nashville, TN. They leave in Georgia his two sons, daughter, and daughter-in-law.

Authorial career

Larry Tomczak is the author of several books, including Clap Your Hands,[10] Straightforward: Why Wait Till Marriage?,[11] God, the Rod and Your Child's Bod,[12] Divine Appointments[13] and Reckless Abandon.[14] He was also a founding editor of People of Destiny magazine, which ran for twenty years until its dissolvement.

References

  1. ^ Adams, Deanna R. (2002). Rock'n'Roll and the Cleveland Connection. Kent State University Press. p. p.158. ISBN 978-0873386913. {{cite book}}: |page= has extra text (help)
  2. ^ Tomczak, Larry. Clap Your Hands.
  3. ^ Tomczak, Larry. Clap Your Hands. p. 179-196.
  4. ^ Virgo, Terry. No Well Worn Paths.
  5. ^ "Charisma Magazine". Charisma Magazine. 2000-07. Retrieved 2008-02-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Charisma Magazine". Charisma Magazine. 2000-07. Retrieved 2008-02-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Christ the King Church". Christ the King Church. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  8. ^ "Charisma Magazine". Charisma Magazine. 2000-07. Retrieved 2008-02-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Christ the King Church". Christ the King Church. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  10. ^ Tomczak, Larry. Clap Your Hands. ISBN 978-0884192527.
  11. ^ Tomczak, Larry. Straightforward: Why Wait Till Marriage?. ISBN 978-0882703110. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  12. ^ Tomczak, Larry. God, the Rod and Your Child's Bod. ISBN 978-0800750824.
  13. ^ Tomczak, Larry. Divine Appointments. ISBN 978-1560433200.
  14. ^ Tomczak, Larry. Reckless Abandon. ISBN 978-0884198765.
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