Pastor
Dr. Thomas Childs is the founding pastor of LifePoint.
He grew up in Fairhope, Alabama, attending Baldwin county schools before graduating from Fairhope High School. He earned a B.M. degree in Jazz Studies (magna cum laude) from Loyola University- New Orleans, a Master of Divinity Degree (with biblical languages) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, a Master of Theological Studies (cum laude) from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and his Doctorate of Ministry Degree (with honors) from St Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri.
Thomas has toured with the Christian band TRUTH, as well as playing in the New Orleans Symphony, the New Orleans Saints Jazz Band, the Desire Brothers band, the Harmon Lights jazz band, and others. Additionally, Thomas was the first chair trumpet player in the state of Alabama All-State competition, first chair in the Southern United States Honor Band, and the Outstanding Music Major for Loyola Univ in 1993.
Thomas’ church resume includes being the pastor of the Dido United Methodist Church, the Blooming Grove United Methodist Church, the Dresden United Methodist Church, being the music director at Lebanon Baptist Church, and the associate pastor at Shannon Creek Baptist Church.
Thomas received the 2000 Morris Walker Clergy award for the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Thomas has been an adjunct faculty in the clinical pastoral education program at Harris Methodist Hospital, as well as teaching a class on Christian Leadership at Texas Wesleyan University and being a teaching assistant under Dr. Robert Martin at St Paul School of Theology.
Thomas also has served as the Director of the St Andrews UMC building project in the Waxahachie District of the Central TX Conference in 1998-1999, as well as serving as the Host Operations Director for the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, TX from 2004-2008.
Thomas is married to Dr. Gladys Childs and they have one child, Scott.