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Our busy lives are frequently punctuated with world events which cause us to stop, listen and seriously think, such as the recent events in Egypt . Then there are life events which cause us to actually pause…everyday life seems to disappear for awhile…and ponder at length, the significance of people in our life and the impact they have upon our world. The unexpected death of my friend and colleague, Dr. Tom Hawkins on December 31, 2010 provoked such a pause for me. This world has suffered a great loss!

Tom was what some would call a ‘long drink of water’. His tall, lean frame was accented by the cowboy boots he loved to wear. His slow warm smile and emanating compassion usually endeared immediate trust from those whom he was counseling.

He was born in the west, rural Oregon. Although he started his education in a three- room grade school, he continued his education to earn his Master of Divinity Degree in1969 and, a PhD in Biblical Studies in 1994 from Dallas Theological Seminary. He suffered the loss of his first wife to cancer and the overwhelming responsibility of rearing two precious daughters alone. Little did he know his destiny at that time. Jehovah Jireh provided a wife and mother one year later through Diane Powell. She had been a TEAM missionary in Zimbabwe. Tom and she were later to learn that she suffered what we know to be Dissociative Identity Disorder [ DID].

Reverend Hawkins served pastorates in the Dallas, Texas area while working on his PhD . It was at this time, he began counseling individuals whose lives had been shattered by early childhood abuse. In 1994, this became a full-time focus as he and Diane established Restoration in Christ Ministries [ RCM] which Diane continues now. Even though Tom was highly successful counseling persons with DID, even survivors of Satanic Ritual Abuse, due to ethical integrity, he was a staunch support and not a counselor for Diane as she sought counsel from others. His love for her and passion for her and others to be healed was a powerful driving force within.

RCM grew to have a worldwide impact providing compassionate, Christ-centered counseling, consulting, seminars, media products and written materials for developing ground-breaking insights in the fields of abuse recovery.

I had met Tom and had the privilege of sponsoring a RCM Seminar on DID in Spokane, Washington around 1994. It was then I also had the honor of meeting Diane and the joy of introducing them to my foremost spiritual mentors, John and Paula Sandford, and close colleagues, Charlie Finck, Mark Sandford and David Brown. Later, Tom and John became well acquainted and John viewed him as perhaps the most accomplished expert in the field.

Through the years, we consulted with and encouraged each other and shared revelations from God for enhanced prayer counseling. A mutual friend, Joan Feikema , even hosted us in her beautiful Lake Michigan cabin so that we could briefly consider joining ministries prior to their move from Altoona, Pennsylvania to Grottos, Virginia.

When he and I met, he considered himself to be a traditional Baptist. I on the other hand, had come through a childhood in the Presbyterian and Evangelical Brethren denominations, married a Lutheran and became a Lutheran for twenty-five years. Then I had embraced all I could learn and grow in regarding an intimate spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ, Father God and Holy Spirit. Tom would laughingly remark that I had stretched him a lot spiritually and even encouraged him to learn the merits of fasting.

During my twelve years serving Elijah House, I had done much work in Europe. Upon founding ACACIA, LLC, the Lord gave me much opportunity to continue European work and even establish a branch in Germany through its anointed founder, Dagmar Rauch. Tom had told me that he had a chronic lung disease. At times he would be compromised with it. In the spring of 2008, it was with great joy that I was able to introduce Tom and Diane to Europe via an Advanced Conference on DID held in Germany. They were well received. I noticed that after Tom taught a session, his boots could be heard going to the far back of the church where he would promptly dose off. One can legitimately marvel at will power. It was then, I realized how hard Tom had to work through his illness in order to continue the important international ministry he and Diane had been called and anointed to do. I never heard him complain nor actually talk about his illness.

The funeral was held in Virginia only two days after his death. I was grateful to be informed of a burial to be held in Oregon on January 27, 2011 which I would be able to attend. John Sandford and I drove through thick morning fog of Washington State and then the beautiful snow covered Blue Mountains to Vale, Oregon. We arrived just as the graveside ceremony was about to begin. The gray, snow cold winter day reflected the sadness in the hearts of those in attendance but the mutual warmth of love in the hearts of the people for Tom and each other was palpable.

As Christians, we can truly rejoice when one of our Christian Family goes home to be with the Creator even though, of course, we will greatly miss the person and healthily grieve our losses. We know there is no more illness, pain nor tears for the departed one. Diane excitedly shared that now Tom may be even a greater source of help and blessing for survivors of such hideous abuse because he can intercede for them and even educate others there to do so appropriately.

There was good food to be shared in a cozy church afterward. Family, friends and colleagues shared their eulogies, the fun times, his fascination with technology, but most memorable for me were the testimonies of those to whom he had ministered in counseling. The victorious life stories of overcoming stagnating pain and fear to launch out into a hopeful future. I still imagine that many there do not fully understand exactly what kind of ministry Tom and Diane are involved in.

Wayne Bentz, a mutual friend and ACACIA mentored colleague had helped us with the German conference. He, Vickie Freligh, a former co-worker at Elijah House who is also expert in DID prayer counseling and her artist friend, Geri Wilson, John and I joined Diane and her step-Mother-in law for lunch the following day. The Weiser family style restaurant was buzzing with the after church crowd.

The presence of the Lord was evident as we lovingly shared deep heart thoughts, encouragement and advise. There was no shame nor embarrassment for the prolific tears nor hoots of laughter occurring from our table. I have a sense that Tom was there with us in spirit cheering us on in this call and sacred work for the Kingdom of God. Dearest Lord Jesus , would you please tell Tom for me, “Thank you, Tom, for finishing the race well. Thank you for all you have taught us. Thank you that we could agree to disagree. Most of all, thank you for modeling the love and salvation of Christ Jesus to so many. You are missed!”

We bless you Diane, Sheila, Chris and the RCM board to continue Tom’s legacy as directed by Holy Spirit.

Thank You Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit for allowing us to know Tom and to share his life here.