Thomas W. Miller was born January 13, 1956 to William and Annie Miller in Danville Illinois. Born the 7th child out of 14 siblings, Thomas attended Danville public schools. Upon graduating Danville High, Thomas married Beverly Wade in 1974 and they celebrated their 40th anniversary April 2013. They have three children and five grandchildren.
Always wanting to have something positive for the African American community, and living in a segregated community with very little black owned and operated business, Thomas, along with his friend, the late Calvin White Jr., started a retail record shop named Boogie Down Records. Owning the record business for 7 years and being very young, the business started to pull Thomas in directions that were not positive for his marriage. By the training that was instilled in him by his mother and father, Thomas began to seek God for some direction. One Friday night, Thomas made the decision to give his life over to God to preserve his marriage and be there for his children.
Under the leadership of Pastor Lee A. Reed of Mason Temple Church of God In Christ, Thomas became a minister. He preached his first message in 1982 titled, “Do You Fear God?” from Job 28:28 which reads, “And to man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” Being led by the spirit of the Lord, New Life Church of Faith was started in April of 1986 in the living room of Pastor and Sister Miller’s home. This ministry began with only 3 families, but now its current membership consists of over 500 members.
Pastor started New Life Church of Faith as a non-denominational ministry. Pastor Miller was led by the spirit to be a non-denominational ministry so that he could totally be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not wanting denominational affiliation to indicate that he was separating himself from other believers of other denominations. Pastor Miller believes that no one should take a position that we are the only right church or we are the most correct in our belief. He believes, Whosoever Will, Let Them Come. Pastor Miller’s heart is to reach all walks of life and he doesn’t want to be labeled as only believing in certain denominational doctrines. There is no other foundation that could be laid that Jesus Christ himself didn’t already lay.
Pastor Miller has dedicated the last 25 years to serving his community. Pastor is currently volunteering at the Danville Correctional Center, a service in which he has served at for the past 25 years. He has been recognized and honored for numerous awards including Volunteer Of The Year from Illinois Department of Corrections in 1999 and 2007. State of Illinois House of Representatives 94th Judicial assembly, Image of Excellence Award by the progressive Chapter of Danville, Church Of The Week in 2006 from radio station Family Friendly WBGL, Illinois Fellowship Christian Athletics (FCA) Bronze Metal Sponsor. He has also been recognized for his service by Blacks in Government in 2006, YMCA Support & Service of Danville Community in 2002, 2006 & 2007. in 2000, East Central Illinois Community Action Agency honored Pastor and New Life Church of Faith as an Outstanding Partnership in the area of Community Service in 2010, Allen Chapel AME Lay Organization honored Pastor as Pastor Of The Year in 2011.
Pastor Millers main message is; believing by faith the word of God period. For without faith it is impossible to please God or to cause God to manifest his kingdom.