Tom Calhoun part 2
A brief word on brevity. Tom’s story deserves more than a blog post to do justice to his nearly 100 years of life. He has witnessed God’s kindness in many ways. Here, we only hit highlights and let audio clips and photos do a lot of the storytelling. The pictures above are worth at least 3,000 words. The first one is with Ken Langone, a member of the Purple Crow board. From the photo, you can see their mutual admiration. From that same evening is a picture with Tom and his dear wife of 66 years. This photo is from 2024 they same year she went to be with the Lord. The final photo is of him with his 3 sons early in their entrepreneurship. The energy and love come off the page…
In the first blog post, you heard about Tom’s greatest joy, the joy of being found by God’s love. Now let’s listen as he talks about how God’s love called him into ministry and how God blessed him with a wife and family. Then we can understand how, even in his retirement from mission work in Mexico, he continued to do ministry. Listen for the gratitude in his voice for the good gifts God has given along the way. Listen for his understanding of how God moves.
Around 1955, while Tom was in his late-twenties and studying Theology at Pidemont, he could hardly believe that Muriel agreed to go out on a date. He was sure she was far too pretty to be interested in him…
Her beauty was more than skin deep. Tom knows scripture is true when it says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” He said that Muriel's kindness is the reason their sons are men of such character. She had the fortitude for foreign missions and was considering working in Africa. Early on in their courtship, they felt God calling them to something greater. Hear how they agreed to try Mexico first, and then connect with Baptist Mid-Missions.
Thirty years in ministry is easier said then done! The first step was learning Spanish in language school. Tom can look back and see how much he loved Mexico but at the age of 40, starting out, he had doubts about his ability to communicate. Learning a new language is hard for anyone. He is convinced it was only possible for him to learn because others were praying for him. Tom is grateful that a young man by the name of David was part of the language school. God used David to encourage Tom during the struggle to learn.
What is also sweet about this story of struggle is that when Tom got to Mexico, he realized that the folks there were also eager to see him learn. Communication goes both ways, and the Holy Spirit can build channels of communication when we humbly learn. He said the Mexicans were helpful and encouraging, too, in the process of becoming fluent. Learning to speak Spanish proved to be a source of joy and aid in ministry for the next 50 years of his life.
Mexicans made Tom and his family feel welcome in their country, and when he retired, Tom had the chance to practice hospitality to newly arriving Hispanics in North Carolina. In the 2000s Muriel and Tom found themselves back in Winston-Salem, where the three sons were putting down roots. Their boys, having grown up in Mexico, were also busy working with and among the new and rapidly growing Hispanic community in North Carolina. Their language acquisition in Mexico and their love for the Lord made them hard-working and accidental entrepreneurs who were willing and able to do business in Spanish. First, by employing Hispanics at Grass Busters and from there realizing the opportunity to import and distribute brands from Latin America. Purple Crow grew out of the Calhoun’s love of the people, culture, and FOOD from Mexico.
God’s love is always looking for his lost sheep, and Tom, though retired, was still eager to witness that redemptive love at work. So in his seventies when most people are content to take it easy he volunteers to do bilingual jail ministry in Forsyth County. Tom tells a story of Maria who was a great student in his weekly prision Bible study. He vividly remembers how she was diligent in her studies and how in time she grew in grace. Listen to his narration of how when she is being parolled she looked for another person like him to help her continue to grow.
Tom can look back and see God’s hand moving him. His story helps us understand God’s redemptive love at work. It gives us hope that we can learn new things and love our neighbors. Through Tom’s story, we get a glimpse of “the extras God’s given along the way.” Did you hear his chuckle? Did you notice his joy at telling this story?
Explore the basics of the Christian faith with Fish
Would you like to join us for Alpha hosted by our Chaplian Fish at Purple Crow? We aim to host these conversations monthly at lunch on Tuesdays. What time works for you? Please complete the form to help us plan.
Tom Calhoun
Tom playing chess on a snow day in January 2026
Tom Calhoun is the father of Dan, Nat, and Phil, the founders of Purple Crow. This article is part of a series on faith and values. I interviewed Tom at Bermuda Village (he called it “living in the lap of luxury”) on Thursday afternoon on the 29th of January 2026. We talked while most folks were shut in from the recent snowstorm. His testimony is a powerful witness to how God calls us and loves us every step of the way.
I want Tom’s voice and words to tell his story, so I am providing clips from the interview. I will break these stories into smaller blog posts and along the way provide other links and resources in an effort to show how God’s love multiplies in families and in ministry.
Tom was born in 1928, so he has seen redepmtive love at work for nearly a century. I pray that as you read this, you hear his heart for how the Lord found him and compelled him to become a missionary. A missionary who longs to turn all men back from staggering towards death with the good news that life is found in Jesus Christ.
Listen to Tom’s joy in recounting that he was found by God’s love.
Redd Harper’s guitar and simple message still ring true today. The joy of following Jesus. I didn’t ask Tom if he ever sang any of Harper’s songs during his stint with the chorus at Piedmont but he was glad to tell of how he got to travel and sing with them.
Tom grew up in a caring Christian home, which is helpful to a point. He came to life in Christ in his twenties while serving in the Navy. You can hear how delighted he is in the fact that being stationed in Memphis put him in the path of revival preaching. He was invited to hear the famous Hyman Appleman, an old school gospel preacher. Tom learned about his personal need for repentance and salvation. Let’s listen to how Tom tells about that first night of many attending the revival…
Haymen Appleman’s work as an evangelist is well respected in Independent Baptist circles. He was a Russian Jew who immigrated to the USA as a child. Appleman then attended law school at Northwestern in Chicago, converted to Christianity through the hospitality work of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). This YouTube audio recording of one of his sermons in Cleveland, Ohio demostrates his command as an orator.
“Piedmont Divinity School (originally Piedmont Bible Institute) exists to equip men and women to serve Christ in a variety of ministries. Since its inception in 1945, this purpose has been founded on the primacy of teaching the truths of the inerrant Word of God.”
That night at the revival helped set Tom on a path to Piedmont Bible Institute in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and later to Baptist Mid-Mission. Both Independent Baptist institutions known for their zeal for God’s word.
Tom met his wife, Muriel Kirks Calhoun, while studying at Piedmont. They married in 1958 and answered the call to the mission field in Mexico, all while starting a family. They raised their three sons, Dan, Nat, and Phil, on the mission field in Mexico, where they served for 30 years.
The whole Calhoun family learned to speak Spanish, love the food, and the people of Mexico. Piedmont Bible College meant so much to Tom that he encouraged all 3 of his sons to attend because he was sure they would be in good company.
At 97 years young, we still hear the gratitude in Tom’s voice for God’s love. He remembers his conversation with Dr. Charles Stevens, the founding President of Piedmont, clearly. He helped Tom make the connection of how the Good Shepherd is looking for us. Another interesting connection is that Dr. Stevens graduated from Wake Forest, which was a strong Baptist institution at its inception. What a wonder to hear Tom’s excitement to this day about the Good News of God’s love. Can you hear it?
Stay tuned to hear how he credits Muriel’s kindness in shaping their son’s character and stories from him his ministry. Learn about the humility it takes to learn Spanish at the age of 40 and how that struggle pays off in the lives of newly arriving Hispanics in North Carolina through his bilingual jail ministry.
Part 2 of this is here.
Neigh-birds
We are grateful that the Second Harvest Foodbank is located a block away. They are so close we are going to start calling them our “neigh-birds” instead of neighbors. We both distribute food, so as the saying goes, “birds of a feather flock together.”
This morning, I snapped a quick picture of their driver who came to pick up a donation. Our connection is a blessing. It feels like the beautiful Biblical concept of gleaning. It is part of God’s generous economy.
“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:9-10 NIV
Rescheduling “A Praying Life”
Due to forecast winter weather and its complications on travel, we are rescheduling the A Praying Life seminar. We regret that we are unable to host it this weekend.
It will now take place on March 27th and 28th. Check https://www.crowmunity.com/events-1/a-praying-life for details.
New Every Morning
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Three Kings Day
Three Kings Day is a celebration of abundance and generosity! It is a recognition of Christ's birth and the gifts the three magi brought to King Jesus. At Purple Crow we celebrate with a Rosca de Reyes. We all laughed at the prospect of getting the baby figure embeded in the cake and in thirty days four lucky cake cutters bring in tamales for the company!
Our friends in Sunnyside at Anthony’s Plot give gifts to the neighborhood children. They throw a party at Trinity Moravian for the families. We were able to support that effort this year with some Crowmunity’s canasta navideña.
Christmas at the Crow!
This Christmas season was busy one at the nest!
The festivities started with a helpful flock filling 400 Canasta Navideñas for all of our employees! A Canasta Navideña is a gift of provision and love, shared in remembrance of Christ’s birth and God’s care for His people. The canastas were handed at out at our first Christmas Pozole Lunch which was beautifully prepared by our own Natividad Hernandez and Chef Tony!
The Annual Christmas Decorating Contest never fails to bring joy and commradery to the office! This year our crows went all out! Congratulations to the IT department for winning 1st place!
The festivities wrapped up with our first annual “Caroling Crows feat. The Treat Train” with hot chocolate (like Abuelita makes) and carols, fa la la cawwwww!
All my Fountains are in you
The psalmist declares “all my fountains are in you” speaking of our heavenly Father the giver of good gifts. We pray that the restoration of the fountain at Whitaker Park will be a source of joy and blessing to the community.
Christmas Art in Waughtown
We have a big heart for the Waugtown neighborhood, and this Christmas, we wanted to give back with public art. The artwork shares our love and hope for our neighbors because of Christ came to earth. The message the angels declared was “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2:14
Come check it out as part of your holiday celebrations. You will find it at the corner of Old Lexington and Waughtown.
Faith in Action
Today, we hosted two non-profit organizations that let their light shine in different ways in the Triad. I am so glad that Jasiel Bernal Munoz, who is a manager at Faith Action working in Education, Advocacy & Bridge Building, reached out. We were able to donate in kind for their Christmas Box Campaign. Their love and long service to the Hispanic community is inspiring.
Pastor Griff Gatewood of The Study Center at WFU came by for a tour, which allowed us to marvel at God’s goodness. We reflected on how our Gracious Heavenly Father’s economy is so much bigger than our limited vision. Reminding students and ourselves of that fact is part of how God calls us to be faithful.
All Saints' Eve
Purple Crow knows how to Party! The imagination and creativity at today’s Halloween Party can hardly be captured in these photos. The spooky snacks were delicious, the costumes amazing, and the haunted-hole-in-one was frightful. What a joy to be with these saints and celebrate God’s goodness.
Warm Meals, Big Smiles!
A flock of crows were spotted serving hot meals to their Winston Neighbors! What a gift it is to work and serve together! Did you know that Senior Services gives volunteers golf balls to make door knocks louder so the elderly residents can hear? And we thought they were just for Friday putt putt ….
Reach out to Philip Summers or Lucy Calhoun if you want to join us on our next route!
Welcome Fish!
Today was Fish’s first day at the Crow, and it was wonderful! We are so excited to partner with CCA to host a chaplain. Please reach out to Chaplain Fish Figueroa; 919-582-7327 ext. 5138; Video intro.
Saying Grace
Today is the first day our kitchen is open, and we are all very excited! Chef Tony led us in a quick prayer time to “Say Grace,” to give thanks, and to ask a blessing on the kitchen. The gratitude expressed in prayer and by those who were able to attend was real. The true heart of Psalm 34, which says “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” was evident. We asked for the grace to never take such blessings (a company that cares about its employees, a chef, a beautiful kitchen, the ability to work) for granted.
Having fun outside!
Beautiful fall weather for the week of the Feast of Tabernacles, such a wonderful week to be outside. We had fun playing in two golf tournaments and raising money for great causes. On Monday, we attended the Energize Ministries tournament, and today we participated in the 26th Annual Valarie Anne Moser Tournament. Purple Crow has supplied food for every edition, and this year Chef Tony’s burgers were again delicious. We loved Happy’s Ice Cream, too!
Serving Seniors with JOY!
It is so good to be neighbors with Senior Services! Being part of Meals on Wheels is so meaningful and mutually beneficial as we work to develop crowmunity.
3 ways to connect
Corporate Chaplains of America provides us with 3 ways to connect to their services.
Remote Chaplain Jayme Himmelwright; 919-582-7327 ext. 5177; Video intro
On-site Chaplain Fish Figueroa; 919-582-7327 ext. 5138; Video intro
It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood
It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Song by Fred Rogers
This morning, we met our neighbors at Senior Services. We all came away so impressed by their work and their deep care for our community. We learned that in our very zip code of 27105 there are many seniors in the Meals on Wheels program. Meals on Wheels is feeling like a great way to met even more of our neighbors.
Redeemer
Lucy and I were encouraged today by a visit from the head of Redeemer School. Loryn, we are so glad to have you in our Crowmunity!
