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Tom Chase, Mission Builder Director Building Structures, Building People Tom Chase is trading in his carpentry tools for computer, telephone, and pen. After working on seven Mission Builder projects, he now takes on new responsibilities as director of Mission Builders.
Their Mission Builder projects took them to many places, including the Virgin Islands.
Carl Larson, pastor at Bethel, remembers how Tom and Arline energized the congregation. “Together, they led the congregation to do something that some thought impossible, always leading us forward in faith, always sharing the Gospel through their word and deed … from the prayers that were said at the beginning of each work day, to the devotions shared at the work breaks, to the discussions shared during the worship service on Sunday mornings....” Tom and Arline’s positive example went far beyond the actual construction of the church building, and, in Pastor Larson’s words, “had much to do with building the Church.” Asked in a pre-marriage session to interview a married couple who were truly a team, one young couple, both from divided families, told the pastor they didn’t know of such a couple. So, Pastor Larson referred them to the Chases. “The visit was so affective and affirming for the couple,” Pastor Larson says, “that at our next meeting all they wanted to talk about was Tom and Arline and their life together.” A year and a half later, the couple asked Pastor Larson for the Chases’ address so they could tell them about the birth of their baby. Arline shares Tom’s enthusiasm for the Mission Builders’ ministry. “The results of the work done by the Mission Builders can be seen in the people coming back to church and being spirit filled,” Arline says. “God works through us to build the body of this church. We are so blessed to have the opportunity so serve God when we are called to help a congregation build.” As Mission Builders director, Tom says he will miss the hands-on construction work, because he loves to build. But he is eager to carry on the fine work that Dean Hiner has done and looks forward to recruiting new Mission Builders. He also hopes to seek out indigent projects that need more assistance, and explore the possibility of developing collaborative projects with other people of faith. He would also like to find ways that Mission Builders can be more involved in projects in urban areas. One of the challenges, he says, is that many urban areas do not have places nearby where the Mission Builders could live in their RVs during the construction project. Working together from their home in Montrose, Colorado, Tom and Arline will continue to invigorate congregations and sow the seeds of the Spirit as they take this opportunity to share their gifts with others who are expanding or constructing new churches. Chase can be reached at 800.643.5295 or th_chase@msn.com More
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Tom
first became interested in Mission Builders when he read an article
about the ministry in 
Tom
says that building a new church for Bethel Lutheran in Little Falls,
Minnesota, was memorable. “The people were very welcoming,” Tom says,
adding that the greatest benefit of this ministry is the spiritual
growth that takes place as a congregation comes together to take on what
at first may seem an overwhelming task.
