Dr. Tommy Vinson,
Senior Associate Pastor
of Preaching & Pastoral Ministry
Jean Ann Rush, Ministry Assistant
(901) 853-2668 Ext. 109
Birthday: December 24
Originally from: Tupelo, Mississippi
Education background: B.A. in Biblical Studies, Blue Mountain College, Blue Mountain, MS • M.Div. from Luther Rice Seminary, Lithonia, GA • postgraduate work at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS • honored by Florida Bible College with Doctor of Divinity
Ministry background: Senior Pastor at Oakland Baptist Church, Corinth, MS, 1974-80 • Senior Pastor at Colonial Hills Baptist Church, Southaven, MS, 1980- 88 • Senior Pastor at Crossgates Baptist Church, Brandon, MS, 1988-92 • Senior Pastor at Leawood Baptist Church, Memphis, TN, 1992-2000 • Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Winter Park, FL, 2000-07
I started working for CFBC: June 8, 2007
My family: Wife Rose (she was my high school sweetheart; we have been married 45 years), two sons Barry & John, daughter Vicki Fox; they have given us six grandchildren
My role at CFBC: My role as Associate Pastor of Preaching & Pastoral Ministry is to assist the Senior Pastor in preaching and teaching God’s Word and shepherding God’s people here at CFBC.
Favorite book of the Bible: Romans—if I were stranded on a desert island with only one book of the Bible, this is the one I would want.
Recent books I’ve enjoyed: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas and Timothy J. Keller, A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot and Christian Beliefs by Wayne Grudem
Personal story: I was raised in the home of a sharecropper in North Mississippi and made my profession of faith in VBS. During my high school years I struggled with doubt and a failure to live up to what I knew was right. My moral failures led me to reexamine my faith, and six weeks before graduating from high school, during a revival in my home church, I had a deep experience of repentance and spiritual renewal. A few months later I understood God’s call upon my life to preach the Gospel. I have followed that calling now for over forty years.
Places of service available in my ministry: Volunteer to serve in our HeartLife Community Soul Care Ministry, First Impressions Ministry or God’s 300 Prayer Ministry.
Spiritual gifts: My motivational gift is mercy, expressed through teaching/preaching & pastoral ministry.
My hobbies: Golf, reading, eating Mexican food with my beautiful wife
I hope heaven includes: All my immediate and extended family, plus the hundreds who have heard me preach the Gospel over the years
The smartest thing I’ve ever done: Falling in love with and marrying my high school sweetheart Rose. We started dating when she was 15, but we didn’t get serious until we were 16.
The best way to pray for me: Pray that I will keep my heart close to Jesus and be filled with God’s Spirit