An autobiography of Thomas Ecker
I would like to share a little of my life with you by answering a few questions that have been asked of me?
Q. Have you ever thought about why you go to church?
A. Yes, I have gone to church for most of my life because it changes and impacts me spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically and socially. It is the time where I check and re-set my purpose in life every week. I go to church because we are called out, called together, called forth and will eventually be called up.
Q. How many times have you changed churches and why?
A. I have only been a member in two denominations in my life: the Dunkard Brethren Church (birth to 18) and in the Worldwide Church of God (19 to the present). I changed churches because I went through some changing circumstances in my life where I stopped attending church and then I started attending the Worldwide Church of God and where I began to understand more about God, more about the world around me and about myself. I liked the Worldwide Church of God because it held to many strong principles of which two were very attractive to me then and still are today: 1) a love for learning and living the Scriptures and 2) a willingness to change when God through the Scriptures points out a need to change … personally or corporately as a church.
Q. What are some of your personal experiences over the years?
A. The first decade of my life was spent in three different states: Kansas, Ohio and California. I have an older sister and an older brother. From the age of 5 to 10, I lived in Cherry Valley, CA. I went to church at the Winter Haven Dunkard Brethren Church. I went to church with both of my parents and did enjoy it. I liked the people and one man would always tell me neat stories.
The second decade of my life brought a variety of educational, athletic and social experiences. I graduated from Beaumont High School where I had the opportunity to be Student Body President, play on a CIF winning football team, De Anza League winning basketball team and letter in track four years as a sprinter. During this time, my parents divorced which was a very difficult time for me. After High School, I entered California Polytechnic College at Pomona where I had a double major of Accounting and Data Processing. At the time, I worked three jobs. At the end of my second decade of life, I was not attending church on a regular basis.
In my third decade, I started attending church and changed colleges from Cal Poly, Pomona to Ambassador College in Pasadena. I was baptized in the WCG at age 20 while attending Ambassador College. I graduated, got married and was sent to Ontario, Canada as a young minister in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I started to pastor that church at the age of 24. I was transferred to pastor Toronto (west), Ontario, Canada at the age of 27. I went to church because I loved getting together with others for singing (Worship), fellowshipping (Hospitality), studying (Word) and praying (Prayer). I looked forward to every church service and every church event. The most significant highlight of that decade was the birth of my son, Ryan.
The fourth decade brought major changes in my life. My family and I were transferred to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada where I was the Associate and the Senior Pastor of the church. It was a decade that brought much opportunity in working with youth through coordinating various national and regional events. In the last part of the decade, my family and I lived in Sorrento, British Columbia, Canada. From there, I pastored two churches (Kamloops WCG and Salmon Arm WCG) from 1988 to 1992. In addition to the four items mentioned above, I went to church because the local Youth Opportunities United was a fun place for my son. We had fun!
The fifth decade of my life brought some major challenges and adjustments. In 1991, I had an auto accident that left me with a severe case of vertigo. I was given a six-month sabbatical to help me through the difficult time. Two years later I went through a divorce and was transferred to work at our denominational HQ's. I worked in Church Administration for three years. During this time, I served as an elder in a variety of ways in the HQ church. After my divorce, I began attending a prayer group where I met my present wife, Alberta. In 1997, we began pastoring three churches in California: Canoga Park WCG, Ventura WCG and Central Coast WCG. In addition to all the items mentioned above, I went to church in response to the many blessings and changes and growth that God had brought into my life. By age 50, God had shown the WCG (and me as a WCG member) a whole new set of doctrines, administrative approaches, culture (ethnic honor and respect) and a New Covenant code-of-conduct. In the process, a whole new set of New Covenant Values, Mission, Vision and Stewardship Principles were embraced. That year, we went through The Leadership Bible as a group with the three churches we pastored enjoyed it immensely. Church was more exciting than ever!
The sixth decade of my life has brought a variety of experiences. In 2001, Alberta and I we were asked to work with the WCG churches in the Inland Empire and in 2004, the WCG Victorville church was added to our circuit. I have seen many changes both personally and corporately over the last number of years. As a couple we enjoy the churches God has given us to pastor and enjoy the grace and truth that continues to be the focus of the WCG Tri-Churches. With both family and church members, Alberta and I enjoy various culture and sport activities. Alberta and I are a blended family so together we have six children and seven grandchildren. Sadly, one child, my son Ryan, died in 2002.
The greatest blessings in my life have been to enjoy God's forgiveness and kindness through many challenges and the support of loving and encouragement of my brothers and sisters in the WCG. I look forward to continual growth in the grace and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ and invite you to join with us in the journey. Thanks for listening. Please see the bio of my wife, Alberta.
This page was last modified on Sunday, September 16, 2007 07:06:06 PM