Mr. Ragsdell (aka Pastor Tom) serves as the lead pastor of Columbia First Assembly in Columbia, Missouri. Prior to his current role, he served as the Head of School of Heritage Academy, the lead pastor of New Life Community Church and a missionary, instructor, and academic dean in Kiev, Ukraine as a AGWM missionary. He has also served in the local church as a youth pastor in Columbia and Branson.
Tom holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div) in theology from the Assembly of God Theological Seminary and a Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution (LL.M) from the University of Missouri School of Law. He has also received certification in civil and family mediation from Missouri State University Center for Dispute Resolution.
Tom has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas related to conflict management and negotiation, church law, servant-leadership, theology and ethics. His interests include spiritual formation in students, coaching for success in sports and life, ethical decision-making, and creating a servant-leadership culture in organizations of any size.
He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Jennifer for 32 years. Together, they have 5 children—Luke (Bethany), John (Sarah), Jessica, Ben, and Micah. He enjoys fishing, swimming, coaching basketball, and spending time with his family outdoors.