Larry Tomczak
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Larry Tomczak is a prominent pastor and preacher based in the USA. He is the co-founder of the group now known as Sovereign Grace Ministries and of several prominent churches.
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[edit] 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 fellow charismatic CJ Mahaney, (who was also raised in a Roman Catholic family). 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[4] then Sovereign Grace Ministries.
[edit] Lawsuit
As Larry Tomczak became a prominent speaker on both sides of the Atlantic [5] he also became embroiled in a lawsuit with author-psychologist Thomas Harris after mistakenly repeating an urban myth about him during a conference address and a radio broadcast during 1979[6]. Settlement was finally reached on the $22million lawsuit in 1983, with Tomczak paying out $150,000 [7] [8].
[edit] Departure from PDI
Tomczak eventually left the leadership of PDI in 1998 and has subsequently suggested that the increasingly Calvinistic theology of PDI was a major factor in this parting of the ways [9][10]. He has also described this period as "an unbelievable nightmare" during which his family "were threatened in various ways if we did not cooperate with [PDI]... A letter was circulated in an attempt to discredit me and to distort the events surrounding my departure"[11].
[edit] Recent Activities
Upon leaving PDI, Tomczak joined the faculty of Brownsville School of Ministry as Instructor in Practical Theology [12][13] and led the planting of Christ the King Church in Greater Atlanta [14]. He is currently in the process of establishing a ministry training centre in Nashville, Tennessee in partnership with other senior charismatic leaders.[15].
[edit] Authorial career
Larry Tomczak is the author of several books, including Clap Your Hands[16], Divine Appointments[17] and Reckless Abandon.[18]. He was also the founding editor of the now-defunct People of Destiny magazine.
[edit] External links
- Semi-official website with downloadable resources
- Audio sermons at Bethel World Outreach Centre (Tomczak's current church base)
- Christ the King Church (official website of former church)
[edit] References
- ^ Adams, Deanna R. (2002). Rock'n'Roll and the Cleveland Connection. Kent State University Press, p.158. ISBN 978-0873386913.
- ^ Tomczak, Larry. Clap Your Hands.
- ^ Tomczak, Larry. Clap Your Hands, 179-196.
- ^ Virgo, Terry. No Well Worn Paths.
- ^ Virgo, Terry. No Well Worn Paths.
- ^ "Charisma Magazine", Charisma Magazine, 2000-07. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ "Charisma Magazine", Charisma Magazine, 2000-07. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ "Author Wins Judgment for Slander", New York Times, 1983-09. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
- ^ "Charisma Magazine", Charisma Magazine, 2000-07. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ Tomczak, Larry (1998). What Do You Believe About How People get Saved?.
- ^ Tomczak, Larry. Reckless Abandon, p.15.
- ^ "Charisma Magazine", Charisma Magazine, 2000-07. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ Christ the King Church. Christ the King Church. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ "Charisma Magazine", Charisma Magazine, 2000-07. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ Christ the King Church. Christ the King Church. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ Tomczak, Larry. Clap Your Hands. ISBN 978-0884192527.
- ^ Tomczak, Larry. Divine Appointments. ISBN 978-1560433200.
- ^ Tomczak, Larry. Reckless Abandon. ISBN 978-0884198765.
