This article was published Nov. 15, 2003

New pastor believes he was called to Connecticut

By Luke Foster Journal Inquirer TOLLAND -- God can work good out of the most tragic circumstances. That is a belief that Jeffrey Roman, the new pastor at the First Baptist Church, takes seriously -- and takes to heart when talking about his position. Prior to coming to town, Roman, 45, was a pastor in a church in Virginia, where he had served for two years. Roman said he never intended to leave Virginia, as he and his family were happy there. But tragedy struck, when his brother was killed in a motorcycle accident in June. With his parents living in Connecticut, he did not want them to be alone for too long. But he was unsure if he was supposed to leave his Virginia church.

So, he said, he sent out only one resume, and if God wanted him in Connecticut, he would get that job. And God did, it seems, as Roman was soon called to be minister of the First Baptist Church in Tolland. He said his family was reluctant to leave Virginia, "but God impressed upon our hearts that this is where he wants us to be," he said.

"After a lot of prayer, we came over." Roman and his family have been in town for a month and are in the process of buying a house. In the meantime, though, they are staying in a one-bedroom apartment above the church. While things might be tight, Roman is not bothered. He cites Romans 8:28 as his inspiration, which states: "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." "The Lord gives us peace and strength," he said. "I would not trade it for anything because this is where I need to be, to be faithful to his word."

Roman said he does expository preaching during his sermons. Or, in other words, "I don't preach my opinions or man's teachings, I teach God's word," he said. That is why Roman became a Baptist, he said, because he finds it most closely adheres to God's word. As many as 70 people attend worship at the church and, he said, there is a lot of potential for growth. The people in town are very loving, he said, both to him and to the Lord. And, he said, he believes the church will succeed.

"The Lord didn't send me here to fail," Roman said.