Tom Are
Former Interim Pastor
Retired June 15, 2025

Tom Are Jr. came to Fourth Presbyterian Church in October of 2023 to serve as Interim Pastor.

Tom graduated from Presbyterian College in South Carolina; Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia; and Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut. He has served the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina; the Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina; the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Florida; and for the past nineteen years, the Village Presbyterian Church in Kansas City.

Tom is married to Carol Are, who is a registered nurse, having spent her career in oncology and hospice nursing. They have two children, the Reverend Sarah Are Speed and Nathan Are.

Tom loves baseball, woodworking, and canoe-camping in Quetico, Canada. He loves a good story, a good laugh, and a bit of time to read every day.