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Paul Toms Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Paul Toms
Bill & Sue Willis
January 12, 2016
Mrs. Toms & family,
We just found out about Dr. Toms being with our Lord from the year end list in World Magazine. We both appreciated his preaching so much at PSC. He was such a caring pastor & he truly knew all his flock! I, Sue, remember when I joined the church and found out Dr. Toms was the pastor to be there, I was so nervous because he was the senior pastor. He put us all at ease with his warm friendly manner! I remember Sue Mac asking me what I missed about the AM service when I started teaching SS in the 2 & 3's. I replied the choir & baptizing the babies. She laughed & said she could not wait to tell the pastors. In those days, you could get the sermon from the week before on the back table. After I moved away, I got his sermons mailed to me. I could hear Dr. Toms preaching them & the congregation laughing at the funny parts as I read them. Then as a new mother in CT Dr. Toms was on the radio for 15 min. every weekday on WVNE. My small son knew we had to listen to Dr. Toms on the radio! When my cousin's wife committed suicide & I wrote him for advise he sent me a list of books & I gave my uncle & aunt one of his tapes from Gordon Conwell Chapel from the radio. I remember one night after the evening service celebrating his anniversary at the church and someone read a letter from his son Paul. He said he was sorry he could not be there but he was sending up a shoe box of sermons all 3 pointed! I remember the congregation laughing. Dr. Toms was a big part of our happy memories of PSC. We pray you are all doing well and adjusting to your life without the presence of Dr. Toms.
Kader Merabet
June 3, 2015
My condolences to Mrs. Toms and to the entire family. Dr. Toms was a caring and a great man of God. I came to Park Street Church in 1978 as a newly Born Again Christian and I learned so much from his preaching and teaching. When asked who influenced me most as a Christian, my answer is Dr. Toms with no hesitation. I am so grateful to God for my preaching Elder especially during those first years of my Christian formation. I was also grateful to God that he was the one who dedicated my daughter.
I should mention that I had the privilege of helping in Sunday School at PSC with Gary and Margaret (his daughter) Anderson. To the credit of Mr. and Mrs. Toms, they have a special family and they touched everyone in a positive way.
Dear Toms' family, may the Lord give you grace as you mourn and may He give joy as you celebrate Dr. Toms' presence with the Lord. We shall see Dr. Toms again. Until then, may we stay faithful in living for God and in serving Him.
May 22, 2015
Our belated but deeply heartfelt condolences to Eva and her family on the homegoing of Paul, Dr. Toms. We first met him on one of his trips to Indonesia - so well fed spiritually with his sermons. And remember well the delightful visit in their home a few years later! The support from Paul and Eva for our ministry in North Vietnam continues to grow His Kingdom today. We give thanks for his faithfulness. We mourn today this loss on earth, rejoice that we one day meet again.
In His deep love,
Steve and Pat Copple
Hanoi, Vietnam
[email protected]
Dick and Patton Carter
March 9, 2015
A true father figure has gone forth to glory, whose enduring impact was made very clear when I read the news of his passing. He held firm the tiller of PSC amidst swirling gales of tumultuous times, for which we all should indeed give God thanks. In addition to nurture of preaching and teaching, his faithful and patient longsuffering love for even a rough-edged young convert like me was truly a needed example of Christ like few others that I have known. May the Spirit of grace sustain and uphold his beloved family and numerous thousands whose lives Dr. Toms so meaningfully touched.
Thelma Atkin
March 8, 2015
It was with sadness that I heard of Paul's recent death. Please accept my condolences which I pass to Eva and the family. I remember with great fondness the times which Eric and I shared with Paul and Eva during their time in Australia and when we visited in the USA. Thinking of you all at this time.
Bob & Pat Harris
March 3, 2015
We are so sorry Charlotte and family to hear of your dad's passing . Onto the streetsB of Gold with Jesus. To your mom we send our love and hugs and to the Bubar boys/men ( now) . We love you guys!
March 1, 2015
Eva, I just learned of Dr. Toms' promotion to heaven and pray that God will greatly comfort you and your children with the knowledge that Dr. Toms is absent from the body, but present with his Lord and waiting for each of you in heaven.
I greatly appreciated Dr. Toms' leadership at Park Street Church during my college and seminary days. He was a great role model for me as a man of high character, a wonderful pastor, a great preacher, and a humble, loyal, and faithful servant of God. His expository preaching through a whole book of the Bible, skipping nothing, and preaching the whole counsel of God, became my favorite style of preaching to listen to, to emulate, to practice, and to train others to do likewise when they preach. Over the years I observed that this kind of preaching builds the strongest churches, believers and leaders. Given the size of Park Street's congregation, I was amazed that he knew and called me by name and by the attention and faithful support he gave to Wayne Anderson, us college students, and later us as seminarians. Like Chuck White, I'm most grateful that he fully supported Wayne Anderson when there were complaints against him. I have served mostly on the mission field since leaving Boston in 1975 and much of what I still do on the mission field today is what I learned from Dr. Toms and Wayne. I consider it a great honor to have been ordained at Park Street Church by such a great man of God as Dr. Toms.
Bob French
David Rox
February 27, 2015
This man of God taught me how to study Scripture through his preaching throughout my college years. No one has had a greater impact upon my life spiritually! How thankful I am to Jesus and to Dr. Toms for the faithful witness of this beloved Pastor of Park Street Church, Boston.
June (Jenkins) Vetter
February 27, 2015
When Paul was Assistant Pastor at Park Street Church, I was the church receptionist. How delightful it was to work with him, to chat with Eva, to see their children grow as godly young people who then went on to serve God faithfully, as did their dad and mom.
I cherish the memory of Paul's calm demeanor, sense of humor, godly character, and his integrity. He taught us all how to walk in the footsteps of the Master. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Eric Feustel
February 26, 2015
I remember Dr. Toms preaching at the Sunday evening services at Park Street Church in the early 1970s. At that time I had no intention of entering ministry, but many years later I entered the ministry as a "second career'. Neither he nor I had any idea I was being mentored, but today I model my preaching after his thoughtful and convincing style. I thank God for him. My sympathy to your family. You have lost a wonderful man. May you follow in his footsteps in this life and on into eternity.
Emoro Efetie
February 25, 2015
Dr. Toms was pastor of Park Street Church in Boston when I attended the church while a college student in Boston. I listened to him many a Sunday and was edified by the Lord through his ministry. One statement that stands out for me that I remember he said was " If you don't have something good to say about someone then say nothing".
Dr. Toms had a kind, gentle, Christ-like spirit. He was a pleasure to be around. I look forward to seeing him again in heaven.
My sincere condolences to his dear wife, Mrs. Toms, his children, grandchildren and all his extended family. May the Lord give you all grace as you mourn to also rejoice knowing that today, your loved one is in the reality of what I heard him say time and again as he preached, " when the shadows flee away and we see Him face to face".
The shalom of the Lord be yours.
Dwight & Gloria Lehman
February 23, 2015
Our love and prayers for all of you during these days. We were sorry to hear of his passing but know that heaven is going to be a bit sweeter as a result. What a godly man and heritage he has left behind! Even though we never met him, we felt we have known him through his son, Paul and Paul's wife, Susan, some of the most gracious people on the face of the earth. May God continue to allow his legacy to live on in the lives of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and those he touched for God's glory.
Sheryl Gundersen
February 20, 2015
Although I never personally met Reverend, Doctor Paul Toms, I have met his legacy: son, grandson and great grandson while worshipping with them at GVPC in Malvern, PA. By reading Dr. Toms history, he made a huge impact on the world through his work as a theologian, pastor, author and board member of esteemed Christian organizations. Yet, even with those great accomplishments, his legacy will also continue on through his loved ones and their continued service to the Lord.
Our prayers go out to you during this time.
February 15, 2015
Aloha Mama Kahu Toms and 'Ohana. We were saddened to hear that Kahu had passed, but know that he is smiling as Our Lord welcomed him into His presence. Much Love and Aloha from the Anakalea 'Ohana.
chuck white
February 15, 2015
The three most important characteristics of a person on a church staff are loyalty, loyalty, and loyalty. That's what Dr. Toms said, and that's what Dr. Toms lived. I benefitted most from his loyalty when he manufactured a job for me at PSC after Wayne changed his mind about leaving. Rather than just shake my hand and wish me good luck when the promised job as minister to students fell through, Dr. Toms moved heaven and earth to name me Pastor's Assistant and keep me at PSC. The whole Seeker ministry benefitted from Dr. Toms' loyalty when he fully backed Wayne despite the initially negative reaction to him from Collegiate Club. Dr. Toms supported Wayne, and that ministry shaped PSC for a generation. In the 11 years of Seekers God called 121 people from PSC to serve the church worldwide as pastors, missionaries, professors, and presidents. The congregation of PSC benefitted from Dr. Tom's loyalty to the inerrant Word of God which he exposited in usually alliterated three-point sermons until the red light came on in the radio booth morning and evening every Sunday. The whole world benefitted from Dr. Toms' loyalty to missions which he promoted every year with the missions conference. He led 60 hours of meeting over the conference's 10 days, earning him the whispered nickname of Ironpants for his stamina.
When PSC sent 42 students to Gordon-Conwell those young ministers drove every day past a store whose motto was, What you see is what you get. Those words also described the man who lead the church that sent them to seminary. It started with loyalty, moved on to humility (The people who are saying Paul who?' are not more surprised than I am that I'm the pastor of Park Street Church), included lots of love, and finished with integrity. We owe an eternal debt to Paul E. Toms.
(By the way in the 1972 picture, it's Dick Manny, not Manning.)
Susan Vetterlein
February 15, 2015
I send my condolences to the family. When your parents die, it can seem as though a part of your own personal history is sheared off. I am truly grateful for the time Dr. Toms made to spend in friendship with my parents. In sympathy,
Jim Wagner
February 14, 2015
Although Dr.Toms became Pastor of Park St. Church shortly after I left the Boston area to begin my career as a meteorologist with what was then the Weather Bureau in Washington DC, my wife and I heard him at least once upon a return visits to Park St. Church. I was glad to know that the fine tradition of quality evangelical preaching and teaching that I had experienced during my MIT graduate student years under Dr. Ockenga was being continued at Park St. Church. May the Lord comfort all of you among his family and close friends, knowing that our loss here on earth ins only temporary.
John Young
February 14, 2015
Mary and I were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved, former pastor at Park Street Church, Dr. Paul Toms. He was greatly missed when he retired and will always remain in our hearts and minds.
Joseph Sabounji
February 14, 2015
I praise God for leading Rev. Dr. Paul E. Toms to see the vision and urgency for reaching international students and scholars in the Boston area. He was then instrumental for inviting me through ISI to come to Park Street Church in Dec.1971 and develop the FOCUS Ministry over 27 years, which is now an integral part of the Churches global mission outreach.
I thank God for him and his gracious wife Eva who were my ministry coaches through out those years. May God bless his extended family and precious legacy. Gratefully, Joe Sabounji
February 14, 2015
It was a privilege for me to know Dr. Toms and to sit under his preaching. His sermons brought me closer to God while being intellectually stimulating. He was a kind and humble man and a fine shepherd to the flock God gave him. I extend, my condolences to Mrs. Tom and to the entire family.
Ann Russell
February 13, 2015
Dr, Paul Toms is remembered as one of Boston's finest preachers, who preached the Word from the pulpit of Park Street Church, Boston. I was a member when Dr. Toms followed Dr. Ockenga.
Joyce Morin
February 13, 2015
My deeply felt sympathy to the whole family, especially Charlotte and Joe, college friends. For several years I was a member of Grad Group at Park Street Church and worshipped at the evening services when Dr. Toms' preaching was a book study, many months on Romans verse by verse I remember especially. I have been blessed and inspired by his ministry. Prayers and the blessings of the hope that is in us.
John Harutunian
February 13, 2015
I joined Park Street Church in 1970, when Paul Toms had just become Senior Pastor. I knew him as a warm and godly Christian, and as an excellent preacher: specifically, I felt that his gift for exhortation was unequaled.
February 13, 2015
As part of the Park Street Grad Group in the late 1960s, we really appreciated Paul's ministry to us. May the family know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Blessings,
Dr Harold and Grace Koch
Canberra, A.C.T., Australia
Karren Bell Windsor
February 12, 2015
Dr. Toms was pastor at Park Street Church when I was in college. He was our role model, our leader, our inspiration. I am grateful for his life and ministry. Now he's rejoicing in glory, enjoying the presence of his Savior. I'm happy for him.
30 years post-Park Street
Ernest Prabhakar
February 12, 2015
I am still inspired by the way Dr. Toms would combine deep Biblical scholarship with forceful preaching. "This passage might means this, or it might mean that, but it certainly means THIS, and you better do it!"
Seminarians from PSC in 1972
Chuck White
February 12, 2015
Dr Toms in 1972 with Wayne, Bob French, and Dick Manny
Chuck White
February 12, 2015
David Bohy
February 12, 2015
My life was greatly blessed by Paul's life and friendship. I have known no one who exhibited Christlikeness and servant leadership more than he. I thank God often for his ministry and witness. I pray for peace and hope for Eva and the family.
Doug and Chris May
February 12, 2015
We were so blessed by the ministry of Paul and Eva, and even more by their true Christian character. Dr. Toms had such loving pastoral gifts and such a heart for those who did not yet know Jesus. We at Park Street Church were given a firm foundation under his leadership. May Christ bring comfort to all the family.
In grace, Doug and Chris May
February 12, 2015
Dear Eva and family, our prayers and sincere condolences are with you all at this time. Paul was a God fearing man who now is in the presence of his Lord and Savior. We have many memories, not the least of which was his leadership of the Missions Program at Park Street Church where his discernment and foresight continued to build the foundation that is the rock under-girding the program today. And personally, Lia and I will never forget his willingness to officiate in the renewal of our wedding vows on our twentieth wedding anniversary. With much love, David and Lia Rix
Carol DiCristina
February 11, 2015
I remember Dr. Toms and is sermons well from my years as a college student in Boston worshipping at Park St. Church. He pointed us to the high example of Christ during his sermons at the evening service when we journeyed by the MBTA from college campus for Seekers. Thank you to Dr. Toms. God used your servant heart to bless your congregation and the Boston community.
Jacqueline Eden(Trahan)
February 11, 2015
Dear Mrs Toms,
I owe much to your husband's faithful preaching: it was he who brought me to the point of repentance and salvation 29 years ago.
I have such dear memories of your husband preaching at Park Street Church on Sundays and teaching about wisdom at the Winnepesauki Lake Retreat. I was part of the Seekers college ministry there. My very first Sunday in Boston, I was invited to "check out" the church with a friend who was invited by a congregant. As I remember, Dr Toms was exhorting the congregation that day to "stop wearing your heart out on your sleeve" and repent of being easily offended and love as Christ instead. His words gripped my heart and made me see my need for our precious Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Today, I am still following my Lord: doing my best to bear the cross He's given me. I am married to a Christian man and have three sons who all profess Christ as their Saviour. I've never forgotten the lessons Dr. Toms taught me fabout orgiving others quickly and about seeking God's wisdom.
I am thankful to have been drawn up out of the miry clay through you and your husband's faithful ministry.
God be with you till we meet again!
February 11, 2015
Never served with him but his shadow like that of his predecessor Dr. Ockenga was on all the core commitments of the church when my family and I were members. Always loved it when he returned to preach, and you could tell the affection he had for God's people at Park Street Church which was also duly reciprocated. We give thanks to God for his life and service, and look forward to reunion on the other side with Jesus our Lord!
Richard and Rachel Pierce
February 11, 2015
Rachel and I are terribly sorry about the passing of our beloved Pastor. We remember the years 1969 to 1987 when we were members of Park St Church. Even though it is a large church he still got to know us by name. That was amazing. He was a loving man. We rejoice that he is now with the Lord. Richard and Rachel Pierce
Jon Fugler
February 11, 2015
Paul was a blessing in Noonie's life and my life in the brief time we knew him during the interim time at Grace Church. What a man of God. And a whole lot of fun.
Bruce & Marcia Beaudoin
February 11, 2015
Such a Man of such Great Character, we will all miss him, but know he is in a cherished place.
Joan Hale
February 11, 2015
Eva, Paul was a wonderful man, preacher, neighbor, husband and father. I still think of you both when I drive on Cartwright. (In my mind that will always be your home.) Paul's guidance, insight and wisdom were extremely instrumental in the lives of my family. We were grateful and blessed to have known him. I'm sure Bill is rejoicing at seeing his good friend again. I know God is saying "Well done, good and faithful servant." My love goes out to you and the family.
Elna Coley
February 11, 2015
His life was a flame among us; his prayers were a fragrant blessing. He will be missed until we see him again in heaven. God's own comfort to all of you in the family.
Norman & Jacque Friberg
February 11, 2015
Eva,
We have so many wonderful memories of times enjoyed together. Paul was such a humble, gentle man and his wisdom guided us. May God surround you with His peace and love. Norm and Jacque
Melissa Carr
February 11, 2015
What a precious man. He was our interim pastor at GraceSLO and it was an excitement to hear him each Sunday and get to know him and Eva his dear wife. I will treasure the time. May his family know how much he means to us.Blessings
Anita Shower
February 11, 2015
The passing of a wonderful man. We are sad yet happy that
The Rev. Toms will be with the Lord. Such a kind man with a wonderful sense of humor. He could speak so beautifully with messages from his heart that fell upon us with such simplicity of the message, such directness from his soul. I will miss seeing the Rev. Toms driving around in his little Prius on some of the back roads from The Village to his home. He always had a kind word to share along with his smile that let you know that he cared.
Don Manning
February 11, 2015
I sat under Dr. Toms leadership while I was in college, from around 1979 - 1983. It was the highlight of my week. He has always been my standard of what a Sr. Pastor should be. It was like taking Seminary courses!
Chris Sherwood
February 11, 2015
Dr. Toms was a great help to me as a young undergrad. His wisdom and insight had a dramatically positive impact on my life. He was thoughtful, kind, full of graciousness and an excellent expositor of the Word of God.
Mary Ann Schunemann
February 11, 2015
My husband Peter and I were blessed and challenged by Dr. Toms in the 80's at Park Street Church during our college and early married years. I am grateful for his reminder to always trust in the providence of God. Our sympathy and prayers go out to his family as they mourn his passing from this life, but celebrate his passage into eternity with the Lord.
Allison Maskell Hawkes
February 11, 2015
Dear Eva, Paul, Charlotte and Margaret,
As members of PSC for the 4 years leading up to our marriage in 1984, my husband Jim and I will be forever grateful for Dr. Toms' comprehensive, careful exposition of the gospel, his wry sense of humor and the incredible example of a loving and God centered marriage that he and Eva showed us.
May the Holy Spirit rest upon your family in this time of loss, and may you rest in the hope our Saviour secured for His own.
Tom and Michelle Varberg
February 11, 2015
Michelle and I so much appreciated the ministry of Dr and Mrs Toms during our years at Park Street Church, 1985-1990. His preaching was so clear, convincing and welcoming. His influence will continue through the many many people who were impacted by his ministry. Our love and prayers go to Eva and the rest of the family. Blessed be his memory.
Jack Wald
February 11, 2015
Dr. Toms was the pastor of Park Street Church when I first began following Jesus. He was a great preacher and had a pastor's heart for his flock. He used to walk through the sanctuary on Saturday night, praying for the people who sat in the same pews week after week. (I sat with junior highers in the balcony to his left.) I left Park Street in 1975 and about twenty years later I met him when he was guest preaching at a church I was visiting. He greeted me by name. He knew and loved his flock. His death is a sadness but I look forward to seeing him again.
Jerry & Kathy Platz, Elizabeth & David
Jerry Platz
February 11, 2015
Dr. Toms was senior pastor at Park Street most of the years I worshiped there. I appreciated his Biblical sermons, his zeal for missions and for World Relief, his gracious wisdom, his smile and his encouraging words. Now I'm a CCCC pastor also. Praying God's comfort for all of you, and his blessing on the enduring legacy.
Jerry & Kathy, Elizabeth & David Platz
Pastor Jerry & Kathy Platz
February 11, 2015
Dr. Toms was pastor most of the 13 years I worshipped at Park Street Church. I grew in Christ much during those years, and appreciated both his solid Biblical preaching, his zeal for missions, and his gracious wisdom. While I was at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, he was there also, a familiar face, with an encouraging word. May the Lord comfort all of you, and may his legacy endure!
Steve Reynolds
February 10, 2015
Dr Toms was my first senior pastor after I came to Christ in 1973 at Park Street Church. He was a man of God and a great Bible teacher. His commitment to Scripture inspired me to answer God's call into pastoral ministry. Dr Toms was truly a Bible scholar, a pastor and provided great leadership at Park Street. He also had a great sense of humor. Well done good and faithful servant!
Steve and Maia wright
February 10, 2015
Dr. Toms married us in 1978, and we are still riding the wave of that blessing. We miss him for now but will celebrate the Lord with him ever after.
February 10, 2015
Our sympathy in your sadness and our rejoicing in your assurance of Dr. Tom's eternal home.
The Wright Family, Taylorville, IL
Jim and Barbara Smith
February 10, 2015
We delighted in having Pastor Toms shepherd us during his time at Grace Church in SLO. We looked forward to his three points in the sermon and learned so much. To his family, we know that God's arms are holding you as you grieve.
Dorothy Brown
February 10, 2015
No one can prepare you for a loss;
it comes like a swift wind. But take comfort in knowing that Dr. Paul Toms is now resting in the arms of our Lord. My deepest condolences to the family especially Eva.
Jack & Marie Rose
February 10, 2015
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your Father/Grandfather. May you find comfort in knowing that others care.
Marie Sinclair
February 10, 2015
Please accept our condolence in the passing of your father/Grandfather. May God comfort you all at this time.
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