After saying goodbye to CJ and Carrie Caufield last year, we welcomed a new family into the Matt Warchol House on the grounds. Below are a list of questions intended to help you get to know them better.
What schools did you attend?
Tom attended Linwood school system and graduated from, Mainland Regional High School. He also graduated from Atlantic Cape Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He retired from the Egg Harbor Twp. Police Department in August of 2011 after 25 years as a Police Officer. Kellie attended the Egg Harbor Township Schools and graduated from the Egg Harbor Twp. High School.
What led you to take this position with Delanco Camp?
We have been married for 27 years and we have always felt led to follow Christ’s leading on his plan for us. We felt a calling to be at Delanco and are thrilled to be here.
After years of planning to relocate out of state in the summer of 2012, our plan began to unravel at an alarming rate in the fall of 2011. At which time we began to wonder what we were going to do for our future. In January of 2013, our pastor did a sermon series on commitment. Kellie and I made a commitment to be open to God’s plan. Within months, we felt God unveiled his plan for our family when we learned that the caretaker position was coming available. God worked his grace in our lives over the next several months, providing Kellie a new job and bringing us a military couple to rent our home in Egg Harbor Township.
If you could do one thing and you knew you wouldn’t fail in doing it, what would you do and why?
Kellie – I have always dreamed of owning a florist shop, I always thought how wonderful it would be to be surrounded by such beauty all the time.
Tom – I find it difficult to answer this question, because as Kellie says I am persistent (she actually means stubborn). I am willing to try to do almost anything at least once. I find learning something new as challenging and may take me hours/days longer than it should I keep pushing forward until I succeed.
Tell us about your daughters.
Our daughters are our biggest blessings and truly both miracles. By medical terms, neither should be here. They were prayed for by so many and defied the odds that were against them. We know they are a gift and we are proud of the young women they have become. Sarah is completing her 2nd year at Eastern University and is studying English and Communications. She is hoping to get into event planning in the future. Emma is in her junior year at Seneca High School. She is making new friends and is making plans for her college decision. (So far, Eastern is her 1st choice). Emma plans to become involved in youth ministry when she goes to college.
Tell us something unique about you.
Kellie plays bluegrass music. I have been playing/perfoming since I was 8 years old. I play guitar, banjo, piano, Dobro and the accordian (Which is my favorite).
Tom enjoys cooking and if you ask our daughters they will say he makes the best pancakes ever. He also can sew and has been known to make some of the best Halloween costumes.
You’ve been a part of Delanco for a few months now. What would you consider your favorite part of being a part of Delanco?
For both of us, it would have to be forming new relationships with everyone involved from the campers, weekly staff, summer staff and the Board of Directors. We have enjoyed being a part of the Delanco family.
What Bible verse would you consider to be your favorite?
Kellie: I have several but the one I claim the most is Jeremiah; 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
Tom: Romans 8:28- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Who would you consider to be the most influential person in your walk with Christ?
Kellie – For me that is the quickest question to answer my uncle and aunt: Dave and Mable Clayton. I grew up in a less than ideal home life. As a teenager, the Claytons took my younger sister and I in and opened their hearts and home to us. They taught us by example how a Christian should live their life.
Tom – The most influential person in my walk with Christ was my mother. My mother was a faithful servant until the day she was called Home. She ensured that each of her children was brought up in a loving Christian home. By her example, we learned to honor God by using our talents and gifts for his service.
How did you come to know Christ?
Kellie – It was the summer of 1978. I was 12 years old and it was at the altar at Delanco Camp. My mom died the fall of 1977 and it had been a very difficult year. I had been attending church since I was 5 years old with my sister, however my parents did not attend. That summer I was given the bible verse Jeremiah 29:11. It became so real to me. I knew that though I did not have my mom or that my dad could not be a father, my Heavenly father filled the void and I never felt alone. God is just that good.
Tom: I was brought up in a Christian home and attended Central Methodist Church through high school where I was active in the JYF and MYF. I accepted Christ while on a MYF Retreat in 1980, during this Retreat is when I realized that I needed to commit myself to living a Christ filled life.
