Staff Spotlight – Tarasha Robinson Thomas
I was born in Fort Walton Beach FL, but grew up in Beaumont, TX graduating from Central Sr. High in 1991. After attending Lamar University for 1 year. I moved to the DFW area in 1992 with my late Husband Toby Pratt. We married in 1993 and had our Son Tre and daughter Terricka who are now 28 and 26.
I worked at Preston Hollow United Methodist Church Daycare and Preschool for 5 years allowing my children to attend the center while being in my care since we had no close relatives in the DFW area. I later became an auditor for the largest cardiology company at the time in the DFW area (CPR Heartplace) for almost 10 years. I served on the transplant team, research team, and in the physician credentialing department through the Heart Hospitals and Baylor Health systems. I also helped my late husband build and run a very successful Industrial construction company for 17 years.
In 2001, after deciding to raise our children Rockwall, TX. We left our church Southside Assembly of God in Garland TX where I served 4 years as a Sunday school teacher, usher, and Missionette’s Leader and joined Church in the City Rockwall, TX under the leadership of the late Pastor Michael Hankins and his wife Pastor Vicki Hankins.
There I served as a caregiver in the children’s nursery ministry, I also served in the Prison Ministry as a juvenile mentor volunteer for several years at the Henry Wade Juvenile Detention Center and Youth Village. I was also Angel Tree Coordinator and Sky Ranch Camp Coordinator for Church in the City’s Prison Ministry for 8 years.
In 2015 my late husband Toby died of Bone Cancer, I decided to move back home to Beaumont and in 2017, I married my husband Ruggeri. In 2018 God smiled upon us and blessed us with the most beautiful and smartest grand-daughter that I have ever seen Angel 3.
I have been serving as FUMC’s Building and Office Administrator since 2018 in this beautiful building with all of its character. When I first came on staff, I was definitely impressed with the different ministries that FUMC is a part of Kairos Kitchen, N.A.M., the partnership with Charlton Pollard Elementary, S.O.P., and SHP but most importantly to see the open arms given to the homeless community inviting them to attend church services and Thursday bible study spoke volumes to my heart showing me what it means to love the city with the heart of Christ.
My prayer for FUMC is to continue to bridge a gap and grow through more created ministries within the church to serve this community and win souls through their services while displaying God’s love.
“and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—
if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.”
Romans 8:17 NRSV
“for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.”
1 John 5:4 NRSV