Rev. Thomas Dewitt M.S., BCC

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy (In Process) Anticipated date of graduation: May 2020. Pastoral Counseling. Trinity Theological Seminary, Evansville, Indiana

Doctor of Theology (In Process) Anticipated date of graduation May 2020, Clinical Pastoral Psychotherapy, Spiritual Care Association University of Theology and Spirituality, Tacoma, Washington 

Master of Divinity, 2009, emphasis in pastoral care and counseling.

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri.

Clinical Pastoral Education, Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, 3 units, Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 1 unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, St Louis, Missouri. 

Bachelor of Arts, 1990, Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee, Major: Pastoral Studies

Additional Studies

Northwest Bible College, Biblical Studies, Minot, North Dakota

Aquinas Institute of Theology, Pastoral Counseling, St. Louis, Missouri

Temple Baptist Seminary, Pastoral Leadership, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Maranatha Baptist Seminary, Expository Preaching

ORDINATION

Licensed 1995, Highland Avenue Baptist Church, Robinson, Illinois

Ordained 1997, Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Illinois

CERTIFICATIONS

Board Certified Chaplain, The Association of Certified Christian Chaplains, 2015

Board Certified, Chaplain Spiritual Care Association, 2019

Certified Dementia Practitioner, National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, 2018

Notary Public, State of Missouri, 2005-2012

Certified Healthy Interventions Instructor, Saint Louis University Hospital

DENOMINATIONAL SERVICE

Committee on Committees, Southern Baptist Convention 2017

ASSOCIATIONAL SERVICE

Delivered Annual Sermon, Franklin Baptist Association 2015 Annual Meeting

Director of Missions Search Committee, Franklin Baptist Association

Resolutions Committee, Franklin Baptist Association

AWARDS

Michael B. Dutton Superintendent’s Award, In recognition of outstanding interpersonal skills throughout training at the Tennessee Correction Academy 2013

MINISTRY AND WORK EXPERIENCE       

2017 – Present

Chaplain, Wesley Willows Continuing Care Community, Rockford, Illinois

Lead Chaplain, Supervisor of Assistant Chaplain and all ministry volunteers,

Facilitator, Caregiver Support Group, Program Director, GriefShare Group,

Plan and Preach Chapel services, Hospital visitation

2019 - Present

Pastor, First Baptist Church, Janesville, Wisconsin. Provide pastoral leadership and oversight to paid and volunteer staff.

2018 – Present

Faculty Member and Graduate Assistant, Trinity Theological Seminary.

Courses taught: Fundamentals of Christian Counseling Ethics

Introduction to Marriage Counseling in Christian Counseling

Techniques and Relationship Development for the Christian Counselor

Introduction to Counseling Theories and the Christian Counselor

Fundamentals of Communication for Managers and Administrators

2018- Present

Supervisor in Training, Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training.

2014 – 2017

Pastor, First Baptist Church, Sesser, Illinois. Provide pastoral leadership and oversight to paid and volunteer staff. Established a pattern of expository preaching. Instituted church wide visitation. Began evangelism training program.

2013 –2014

Psychiatric Chaplain 3, Lead Chaplain, Bledsoe County Correctional Complex. Tennessee Department of Correction, Pikeville, Tennessee. Supervised a staff of three chaplains and forty volunteer ministries. Had daily interaction with inmates.

2012 

Chaplain, Caris Hospice. Athens, Tennessee. Provided end of life pastoral care to dying patients and their families. Coordinated annual memorial service.

2007 – 2012

Pastor, Villa Hills Baptist Church. Belleville, Illinois. Bi-vocational position. Provided pastoral services on an ongoing basis. Provided pastoral leadership to all church ministries.

2003 – 2012

Staff Chaplain, Saint Louis University Hospital. Saint Louis, Missouri. Cardiology Chaplain. Preceptor for Clinical Pastoral Education students. Adjunct Faculty, Death and Dying Module, Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Adviser to the Interfaith Interest Group in the School of Medicine.

2000 - 2003

Pastor, Hale Baptist Church. Hale, Missouri. Provided pastoral leadership while attending Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

1999 - 2000

Chaplain, Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Clinical Pastoral Education Residency.

1997 - 1999

Pastor, New Life Baptist Church. Athens, Illinois. Lead church through a period of growth and transition. Provided pastoral leadership to paid and volunteer staff.

1996 - 1997

Pastor, First Baptist Church. Virginia, Illinois. Helped church to reestablish its ministries to the community. Provided pastoral leadership.