Thomas Kirchner, Blessed Sacrament Church, Jonesboro

Children/Grandchildren: Two children and six grandchildren
Profession: Retired
Interests and Hobbies: Gardening, golf, creating prayer cards
Nickname: “Tom”

Why do you want to be a deacon?

God put me on this journey back in 2014 by first helping foster teenagers, then those in assisted living, then the sick and dying. In 2019 he asked me to drop out of the diaconate program and accompany my dad as he completed his pilgrimage on earth. He passed away in May 2025 and then through the intercession of my pastor, God has brought me full circle and back into the diaconate program. I find myself continuing to walk through the doors he is opening, believing that he has a plan and he is asking me to trust and follow his lead. We learned early on in formation that "God does not send the prepared, he prepares those he sends". So, I said "YES" and am very interested in what lies beyond the next door he will open.