Pastor Tom Hilpert is a graduate of the Lutheran Bible Institute (Certificate, Biblical Studies), Oregon State University (B.S., Speech), and American Lutheran Theological Seminary(M.Div, 1997). Tom started in vocational ministry right out of college, serving as a full time youth minister from 1991-92. In 1993, while serving as a lay pastor, he began his seminary training at American Lutheran Theological Seminary, receiving the Masters of Divinity degree in February 1997. In 1995, while still in seminary, Tom started a
church called River Fellowship. He was officially ordained in May 1997, and continued as pastor of River Fellowship until May 2002.
While at River Fellowship, Pastor Tom began publishing his "Sermon Notes" on the World Wide Web. During that time, churches and Christians from Vietnam, Mongolia, England, South America and the United States read and used those Sermon Notes.
His new Sermon Notes are now being published on this site, strangely enough, on the "Sermon Notes" page.
From May of 2002 until August 2005, Tom took a break from vocational ministry. Among other things during this time he ran his own small business, installed satellite TV systems and was a business consultant with the George S. May International Co.
In August 2005, Pastor Tom took a temporary position at Faith Lutheran Church in Lebanon. He helped to start New Joy Fellowship in November 2005.
Pastor Tom lives outside of Lebanon with his wife, four children and a bunch of chickens and goats.