Tom Scott to Lead Love INC Forward

Mr. Tom Scott of Sycamore recently stepped into the role of Chairman of Love INC’s Board of Directors. This is an important leadership position that has been vacant for a few years. Tom brings with him over four decades of experience in serving the citizens of DeKalb County. He has served in law enforcement, at churches, as a teacher, and as a leader of local non-profit organizations. “I feel a calling to serve God,” explains Tom, “and I’m glad that it has led me to serve here through Love In the Name of Christ.”

Born and raised in DeKalb, Tom’s introduction to ministry began as a Sunday School teacher and as a leader of a youth bus ministry in 1980. This ministry experience would impact Tom for life and lead him to seek more opportunities to serve those in need.

Tom entered into a law enforcement career with a job as a police dispatcher in Sandwich. In 1980, he joined the Somonauk Police Department. By 1981, Tom was hired by the Sycamore Police Department where he would go on to serve for 27 years, retiring in 2008. He also worked part-time with the Cortland Police Department for 10 years. His role in law enforcement led to opportunities to serve on the board of the DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau in the 1980’s, and with Safe Passage in the 1990’s.

After retiring from law enforcement, Tom remained active with Safe Passage, eventually serving there as the board Chairman. Later, Tom took on a role with Elder Care Services of DeKalb County, working as an investigator and case worker to protect the vulnerable by investigating cases of neglect and abuse.

Throughout his career, Tom never forgot the lessons he learned early in life when he ministered to young kids from broken homes. Tom explains that leading the board at Love INC is a full-circle opportunity for him in that it is a ministry that is similar to where he started nearly 45 years ago. Perhaps it is fitting that three other current Love INC board members have connections to Tom’s early ministry work.

Acknowledging that there is much work to be done at Love INC, Tom points out that partner churches have always been our strongest and most important supporters. He considers it a priority to build and further strengthen these relationships. “Connecting our churches with clients who may not have any church home is the most important way that we can help our clients beyond their material needs,” said Tom.

Current funding limitations at Love INC have resulted in reduced office hours, and certain ministry opportunities are not supported as well as they once were. As a result, Tom feels that it is important to explore new community and corporate relationships, ensuring that we have the funding that is needed to support and grow our ministries. “When people provide funds for this work,” explains Tom, “they are giving directly to a local missions organization. We often speak of missions around the world and places far away, but there’s also missionary work being done right here in our backyard, here in DeKalb County. Love INC is the hub that can help pull churches and their resources together to reach the community.”

Reflecting on Love INC’s mission, Tom says “I find it an honor, a calling, to be an instrument for furthering the gospel and reaching the citizens of DeKalb County to show them the love that Christ has through this organization of Love INC. We can open the door for people in need to seek a higher truth about eternity. I look forward to reconnecting with people I knew from long ago, and strengthening those bonds again. It reminds me of the Bible verse, ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)'”