Thomas Schoen

Tom is the son of pioneer missionary parents who were called to serve indigenous people groups in the jungles of Suriname, South America. Tom felt the call to full-time ministry at a young age. When he graduated High School he returned to the US to pursue a BA in Biblical Studies from Trinity College and an MA in World Missions and Intercultural Studies from Biola University. Subsequently he served as a pastor in the US for 20 years while maintaining missions involvement among the indigenous people he grew up with in Suriname. He speaks the Wayana, Trio and Sranan Tongo languages of Suriname fluently. 

Tom leads the development of a radio ministry to the indigenous people of Suriname as the on-the-ground liaison between the Suriname government and the Wajana and Trio elders for licensing and subsequent implementation. The Wajana and Trio church elders are losing contact with their next generation as they are spreading out deeper into the jungle in search for new sources of food and fertile land for planting. Others are on the move looking for work in the gold mines, lumber industry, etc. to provide basic necessities for their families. The elders wish is to disciple them and they see radio as the primary means to do so. We believe radio will unite, encourage and minister to the tribes as well as spread the Gospel to other unreached people groups.

Along with TWR, Tom will work with a Suriname team to build two radio transmission stations and train the indigenous people to maintain and operate them. Tom will also train the people in the production of broadcast-ready material. What a blessing it will mean for them to listen to Christian music, Gospel preaching, Scripture reading, exhortation, prayer and much more in their own language.