About Pastor Tom & Barbara

A Brief History

Both Tom and Barbara were saved the same night, 12th December 1976 in an Assemblies Of God church in Johannesburg, South Africa of which they were members until September 1979.

Rhema Bible Church

In September 1979, they moved to Pastor Ray McCauley’s church (Rhema Bible Church, South Africa). The following year in 1980, they both graduated from Rhema Bible Training Centre (charter class).

Following that, Tom worked as an assistant Pastor, Music Director, Bible School Lecturer, Board Member, Marriage Officer and co-ordinator for Rhema Ministries in South Africa (the family were members of Rhema Church for 15 years until 1994).

Psalmody International

In 1983, God gave Tom the vision to teach worship as a lifestyle - so the ministry of Psalmody International was born. Later that year, the first ‘Psalmody School’ was run at Rhema Church.

Psalmody Schools impacted South Africa, graduating thousands of students in many denominations.

In June 1987, Tom left the full-time employment of Rhema Church and began to minister internationally taking with him the message of "Worship as a Lifestyle" across the world.

Today, Psalmody International (School of Worship) is translated into over 30 languages and implemented in many nations. At present, though it cannot be accurately estimated, tens of thousands have already been greatly impacted by the course.

USA, then Australia!

In November 1994, Tom and the family immigrated to California and he ministered across the United States. Tom then took an appointment in 1998 as worship leader and assistant pastor at New Covenant Fellowship in Temecula, California, staying there until the family moved to Australia to pioneer Sydney Life Church.

After a considerable time of prayer, Tom and his family left the US to come to Australia, going through the many rigours of immigration .

Sydney Life Church began its first service in the Warringah Bowling Club on Sunday, 4th August 2002.

During all this time, Barbara has been a tremendous wife and support to him, and the most wonderful mother to their four children. Without her love and support, none of the above would have been possible.

Qualifications

Pastor Tom and Barbara are graduates of Rhema Bible training Centre –South Africa

Ordination

Rhema Ministries – South Africa
Victory Life International - Australia