Meet a Fairhaven Staff

Tom Almanza was born and raised at Fairhaven Baptist Church. He graduated from both Fairhaven Baptist Academy (2001) and College (2005).
Tom's dad, Louie, was saved through a bus ministry that reached families on the south side of Chicago. In time, he met Sue and they were married. Soon after, Louie and Sue moved to Chesterton where Sue had secured a position teaching in the academy at Fairhaven and where they have worked in the bus ministry ever since.
Growing up at Fairhaven Baptist Church, Tom was never at a loss for activity. He participated in many sports, including soccer, basketball, and wrestling. His youth group experience included trips to Pike's Peak in Colorado and the boundary waters in northern Minnesota.
In college, Tom continued to grow. He remained active in the same type of bus ministry that was instrumental in his own dad's salvation. He studied and learned in his classes; he also met his future wife. One year after his college graduation, Tom married Holly Baker, and they have two beautiful daughters, Ella and Tori.
In August 2010, Tom began working full-time at Fairhaven Baptist Church. His responsibilities include heading up the Reformer's Unanimous outreach, being captain of the Rolling Prairie bus route, and teaching in the elementary and high school at Fairhaven Baptist Academy. He assists Pastor Steve Damron with the weekly meetings of the teen group, and has had the opportunity to chaperone on a teen trip to the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Tom is thankful for his time at Fairhaven. He is grateful to be able to work in a church with his parents and also establish his own family here while working on staff.