My name is Aaron Tomes.  I am a follower of Jesus Christ and have placed my faith in Him as Savior and Lord of my life!

I have been remarkably blessed with a strong Christian heritage—my parents and grandparents were faithful to not only encourage godly values but actually live out those values for us to see and experience for ourselves.  When I was four years old, my parents bought me a small “record player” and a couple of albums for Christmas.  My mom testifies that I was immediately enamored by the sounds of the choirs and orchestras on the recordings and would listen for hours at a time, playing the records over and over again.  Realizing my love for music, she enrolled me in a Japanese music program to learn to play the piano.  My parents never had to encourage me to practice—there were times I’m sure they would have wished that I’d practice less!  Growing up, I eventually began to play for soloists in church, for our youth choir, and for Sunday evening services at First Baptist Amarillo.

On a mission trip in Colombia, I was playing piano during a moving worship service when God gently, unmistakably communicated with me, “This is what I want you to do for the rest of your life, Aaron—lead my people to worship Me in Spirit and in truth!”  I was 17 years old at the time.  I have since pursued a life of worship leadership, obtaining a degree in church music from Oklahoma Baptist University and a graduate degree in music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  I have been honored to serve in strong, Bible-believing churches: Travis Avenue Baptist Church, North Fort Worth Baptist Church, Harrisburg Baptist Church (Tupelo, MS), and now First Baptist Church Arlington.

Along the journey when I was on another mission concert tour in Europe, I met and fell in love with a beautiful, godly woman who would become my wife—Alison.  God blessed Alison and me with six amazing children, for whom we are very grateful.  Joshua, Adam, William Aaron, Grace, Joy, and Josiah.  They each love Jesus, have placed their faith in Him, and are walking with us on the Jesus Way.

It is my highest privilege and most humbling honor to lead God’s people in the praise of our Almighty God week by week.  It is a calling that is precious to me, one that I gladly receive and live out with God’s divine help.  First Baptist Church Arlington is my Church Family, and I am grateful for the privilege of serving our King alongside such dedicated men and women of God!