Our founding Pastor Tom McCracken and his family.  Shown are his wife Laurie of 21 years, son Scott (serving in Afghanistan), and from left to right, Katie, Kimberly and Kristy.  Laurie holds a Bachelors degree in Organizational Management from Bluefield College and an M.Ed from Liberty University.  She is presently employed as Northside High Schools Special Education teacher.

After leaving 10 years of active duty military service to follow God's call into ministry, Pastor Tom accepted his first pastorate in North Carolina in 1997.  Pastor Tom and his family have been in the Roanoke Valley since the summer of 2000 serving one local church for five years prior to starting CommUNITY Church on July 10th, 2005.

Pastor Tom holds two undergraduate business degrees (Management and Marketing), one seminary degree in Ministry, and has a Masters degree in Theological Studies, with a specialization in Church Growth and a Masters in Religious Education (MRE), both from Liberty University.

 

Favorite Food: Spaghetti ("It's all in the sauce!")

Favorite Verse: Phil. 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always"

Favorite Hobbies: FAMILY, golf, reading, metal detecting, FAMILY

Favorite Vacation Spot: Mexico (Riviera Maya)

Favorite Song: I'll Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

Favorite Sports: College football: GO HOKIES

Top Ten Things Still Wanting To Do

  1. Visit the Holy Land with my family and be baptized in the Jordan.
  2. Author a practical book for pastors and churches that will be used as a resource in the time of a death.
  3. Author a book entitled "Living Greatly".
  4. Lead another soul to the Lord.
  5. Start a practical training ministry for newly ordained/educated pastors.
  6. Start a ministry that would focus on prescription medications for fixed income seniors.
  7. Receive my doctorate degree in theology to better equip and prepare me for God's future will.
  8. Serve as a college professor teaching religion or a specialization within ministry.
  9. Baptize all of my FUTURE Grandchildren.
  10. Hear from my Father, "Well done thou good and faithful servant"

 
 
 
Greetings in the Name of Jesus!
 
    My name is Dan Carawan and I am the Associate Pastor of CommUNITY Church in Salem Va.  My wife Ellen and I are the proud parents of Chris, Kayla, and grandson Maynard .  We are so very excited that God has called us to serve here at CommUNITY Church.  I will be focussing on several areas of ministry to support Pastor Tom and the members of CommUNITY Church.  Prayer, prayer and more prayer for Pastor Tom and our membership, The Seniors Ministry, visitation, general office administration and anything technological.  As Assoc. Pastor my God called mission is to do whatever Pastor Tom calls upon me to do to the Glory of God.
 
What are my passions?
   I love the Word of God and the God of the Word. I love my wife and children. I love my country. I love the church. I love to read. I love to tinker with tech stuff.
 
What do I dislike?
   Lies. Fakes. Pridefulness...
 
Where would I go if I could vacation anywhere?
   I'd take my girls to Disney World while their young enough to enjoy it and when they're older, Hawaii.
 
What is my life sentence?
   Jude:20But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.22And have mercy on some, who are doubting;23save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
 
Top Ten Dreams For My Life:
1.  To win many, many souls to the Kingdom of God
2.  To truly disciple men and women towards a deeper walk with Jesus.
3.  To be the best husband my wife could ever dream of.
4.  To make a difference in the lives of many children through our home.
5.  To be an accomplished author.
6.  To visit the Holy Lands and Hawaii with Ellen.
7.  To continue my education as far as God makes a way.
8.  To compile a Bible Study plan for every book of the Bible.
9.  To preach the Gospel in Africa, China, and South America.
10.To hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant" from Jesus.