Thomas McCracken
Founding Pastor
Dr. Laurie McCracken holds a Bachelor degree in Organizational Management from Bluefield College, a Masters in Special Education (M.Ed.), an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S), and a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D), all from Liberty University. Laurie currently serves as the Director of Education for HopeTree Family Services, headquartered in Salem, VA. Dr. McCracken serves through CommUNITY Church teaching a ladies Sunday School class, heading up woman’s retreats and conferences, and has served as our World Changer mission leader with trips to: WV, GA, TN and OH.
After serving 14 years of military service, Pastor Tom accepted his first pastorate in North Carolina in 1998. Pastor Tom and his family have been in the Roanoke Valley since the summer of 2000 serving one local church as the Senior Pastor for five years prior to launching CommUNITY Church on July 10th, 2005. Pastor Tom holds two undergraduate business degrees (management and marketing), one seminary degree, three master’s degrees from Liberty University, an Ed.S degree in educational leadership, PhD studies from Carolina University in Organizational Management, and holds a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from Liberty University in educational leadership. He also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Virginia Western Community College as an Assistant Professor in the Liberal Arts and Social Science division teaching: World Religions, Old Testament, New Testament, Christianity, and Ethics.
Dr. McCracken was just reappointed by the Virginia Speaker of the House to serve an additional four years on the Virginia Israel Advisory Board, tasked with managing all educational initiatives, including the next Israel Lunar Mission.
After serving 14 years of military service, Pastor Tom accepted his first pastorate in North Carolina in 1998. Pastor Tom and his family have been in the Roanoke Valley since the summer of 2000 serving one local church as the Senior Pastor for five years prior to launching CommUNITY Church on July 10th, 2005. Pastor Tom holds two undergraduate business degrees (management and marketing), one seminary degree, three master’s degrees from Liberty University, an Ed.S degree in educational leadership, PhD studies from Carolina University in Organizational Management, and holds a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from Liberty University in educational leadership. He also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Virginia Western Community College as an Assistant Professor in the Liberal Arts and Social Science division teaching: World Religions, Old Testament, New Testament, Christianity, and Ethics.
Dr. McCracken was just reappointed by the Virginia Speaker of the House to serve an additional four years on the Virginia Israel Advisory Board, tasked with managing all educational initiatives, including the next Israel Lunar Mission.
Dan Carawan
Associate Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries
My name is Dan Carawan and I have a Master of Arts Degree in Theology from Liberty University. 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 focusing 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 Small Groups 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. Where would I go if I could vacation anywhere? I’d take my wife and daughter to 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 Things I Want To Accomplish:
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 to the glory of God. 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.
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 Things I Want To Accomplish:
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 to the glory of God. 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.