For Those That Ask
There are always those that want to know about the Pastor, Priest, Minister or whatever title that's used. Here, hopefully, if there are questions concerning Rev Bill Bomar, you will find the answers.
First, I was born in July 1952 in Memphis, Tennessee. That makes me 60 years old in 2012. I graduated from high school in Memphis in 1970.
I started college in 1970 and finally graduated in 1988 from the University of Mobile, Mobile, Alabama, a private Christian University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
My graduate work consists of three semesters in Theology at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. Samford is also a private Christian University. The need to attend private schools comes the prohibitions about teaching Theology at public universities from the perceived need to separate church and state.
I also attended the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama for a year of graduate studies in Counseling.
Perhaps one day I will be able to return to school and complete a Masters degree but that is not a great priority. A desire, yes, but not a priority.
I was licensed by Whistler Avenue Baptist Church and ordained by Christian Fellowship Baptist Church. You will read about both of these Churches below.
My first Pastorate was Whistler Avenue Baptist Church, Mobile, Alabama. When I accepted the call there were 7 members. The congregation quickly rose to 35 and continued to grow. I was called just prior to graduation from the University of Mobile. At graduation, I accepted a call to Unity Baptist Church, Atmore, Alabama as Minister of Music and Youth.
The Pastor was Gene Pickern. In working with the Lord and Gene, the Church grew from 68 members at my calling to 350 members 5 years later. We went through two building programs with most of the construction being done by members of the Church. I had a youth group of 65 and 5 choirs divided by ages from elementary to adult. I also had an extensive Counseling Ministry at Unity working with Church members, the Escambia County Sheriffs Department, Escambia County Human Resources, Escambia County Juvenile Probation, and the general public. My time at Unity was rich in the Spirit with wonderful growth in so many areas of Ministry but my calling was not in music and youth but preaching. I resigned from Unity and accepted a call to Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, Thomasville, Alabama.
When I arrived at CFBC, we were meeting in a 100 year old Methodist Church 14 miles outside of Thomasville. We would meet 3 Sundays a month and the circuit rider Methodist Pastor would lead his congregation the 4th Sunday. We always net with the Methodists yet they seldom returned the favor on our Sundays. CFBC at the time of my calling had about 15 members. I was fortunate that I was able to be full time in the field. One of the members had an empty house that I could live in without rent, only utilities. I was given a salary and a small gas allowance. Much of the winter's food came from member's gardens that I was allowed to harvest and put up in the freezer. The Church experienced steady growth and we started to look to the future. Fully believing that the Pastor should stay away from the finances of the Church, it was some time before I learned of a sizable savings that the Church possessed as well as 4 acres of land only 7 miles from Thomasville. These facts came out at a monthly Deacons meeting. In looking at the interest rates at the time and the ability of the Church to save, it was not feasible to try to pay cash for a new building that we were in deep need. The planning started and some calls were made. I assumed the role of General Contractor. With God's help, I drew the blueprints for the Sanctuary, Education Rooms, Fellowship Hall, and Office. Also with His help I designed the lighting and sound system. Please bear this in mind; I had no training or experience in any of the areas. It was only with God's help that all this came about. Many talented people stepped forward and we completed the entire complex with the foundation being a Sanctuary that would seat 140. We did or were donated labor and materials so the entire Church was built for a fraction of what it would have been. God was and still is very gracious. The congregation continued to grow with it reaching about 100 drawing people from many miles around. However, where there is joy, there is also the Deceiver. Satan stuck his nose in and the problems began. As the Church was growing, we were getting people from many backgrounds. The worship was evolving to more Praise type worship and not so much traditional Baptist style worship. With the influx of different types of people and the changing of worship style, there grew a great rift. Sides were being drawn and a battle in the future. Church splits never gain much of anything. I presented to the Church openly what I felt needed to be done so that we might get back to the work of God yet there was no peace to be had. I would not allow myself to be used by one side or the other so I resigned. This hurt me deeply. It is sad that most Pastors must go through hurts such as this. The hurt was deep enough that I left the active Ministry for numerous years. But God never pulled my calling from my heart.
As you see in the picture, I wear a clerical collar. This is not from the dictates or traditions of a denomination but from personal conviction. In the same way that someone wears a wedding ring to show to all that they have made a commitment to someone, their spouse, and to something, their marriage, I wear the collar. I have made a commitment to someone, Jesus, and to something, His Church. As with the wedding ring, it is a silent statement to all who see it that these commitments have been made. But again, like the ring, each time I see or feel the collar, I am reminded that I have made those commitments. We should never forget that we are married or called by God but a friendly reminder is always good to have.
This brings us to the starting of The Church of the Resurrection of Peace or ROP. If you have not read the Church page on this site then do so to learn of ROP. That page will continue this story as well as bring you up to date.
Personally, I have been married more than once yet Barbara, my wife of almost three years, is the only wife that I have ever had. With her we are one in the truest Spiritual sense. Prior to Barbara, it was merely a legal contract that ended up being cancelled as contracts can be. To some of you this will be a turn off and you will read no further. I wish you did not feel that way but understand. For those of you that realize that Pastors, Priests, and Ministers are human long before they are anything else, I thank you for your understanding. If you have any doubts, meet Barbara and myself and let your Spirit and our Spirits identify with one another and go from there.
Anything else that you might want to know, please ask. I will answer whatever questions that I can. Again, this page is for those that ask.