Offering Spiritual Guidance
The newest staff member at Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley enjoys helping clients navigate their spiritual paths.
Pastor Tom Kurz started as Christian education director at ATCOV about two months ago after serving many years in the Assembly of God faith.
“I had known about Adult & Teen Challenge since I was a young guy,” he said. Pastor Tom, who has served in many churches and in many different roles, saw an email from the district AG office, announcing that ATCOV was looking for someone to help with clients. He called, sent in a resume and was interviewed. Pastor Tom visited for a few days, learning about how the organization operates. “The Lord kind of confirmed in my heart that I needed to be here,” he said.
He oversees Christian education at ATCOV including the chapel, worship and one-on-one meetings with clients regarding faith. “I get to journey with both men and women at the program as they come to know Jesus and as they process through who God is and who Jesus is in their life. I get to be the one they throw their questions and misunderstandings at,” Pastor Tom said. “It’s a lot of fun to do that because everyone is at a different place in their life.”
It’s exciting when someone else is excited to know Jesus, know more about him and learn how they can grow deeper with him, he added. Although ATCOV marks the first time Pastor Tom has worked directly with people in addiction, he’s known friends and others who have struggled with it. “It’s not something that I have no understanding of,” he said. “But it’s not something I’ve worked directly with until now.”
Pastor Tom works with clients as they deal with the aftermath of working on their addiction. “Whatever they’ve been bottling up or holding onto or whatever they went through alcohol and drugs for, to hide or cover up, that’s what I deal with,” he said.
He’s enjoying the work and the best part is being part of clients’ journey.
“I love walking with them as they process through both the highs and the lows,” Pastor Tom said. “When they’re really fighting on leaving — they’ve been here for a week and they want to leave. You’re like, ‘Why? You’ve done so much in one week and there’s so much more for you.’ It’s really fun to process that with them. I really enjoy that…Being able to go on that path with them and help bring clarity on stuff they’re struggling with on their spiritual journey.”
