Tom Maurer

Elder

How long have you been a Christian, and how did you come to Christ?

I have been a Christian for 34 years. There is a much longer story of course, but my best friend in high school became a pastor and lived in Georgia pastoring many years. He has 5 children and in 1991 moved back to Ohio with his family. In January of 1992 his one daughter Crissi, was sled riding and hit a pole resulting in her becoming a quadriplegic at 12 years old. This event was what drew me back to Jesus and I committed my life to Him at a Promise Keepers event shortly after that.

How long have you been at the North Canton Chapel, and what brought you here?

My wife Jane, and I, came to the Chapel on July 5,1992. Jane taught preschool at the North Canton YMCA at the time, and the Chapel had been meeting there while their new church was being built. She had a few conversations with the pastor and was impressed with his kindness. We waited until the church building was finished and came to the second week on July 5,1992. We tried 3 more churches the next 3 Sundays but knew that the North Canton Chapel felt like home. That was 34 years ago and we still feel the same!

How has being an Elder shaped you, or allowed you to grow in your faith?

Serving at the North Canton Chapel has been very humbling and very rewarding. With Pastor Brannon’s leadership, I recognize the importance of the Elder role and it has “pushed” me to serve better and lead better. Even though I still feel inadequate in many ways, I am learning to step out more in faith and trust God to help me accomplish His will. The most obvious growth has been in taking on a co-teaching role that I may not have done if I had not been exposed to the Biblical requirements of the Elder role and encouragement of other Elders.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.

My life really revolves around Jesus and my family. My wife and I love to walk. When we retired, we decided to walk 1,000 miles the next year. By June, we had already walked 1,000 miles, and by the end of the year we actually walked 2,250 miles.