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?
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.
Bright Hope for Tomorrow
This Christmas, we are grateful for how the Winston-Salem Street School shares Christ's love with students, enabling them to have a bright future. It is our great joy to give them a tour, play an inventory game, and offer them a snack, all to welcome them into crowmunity.
Truly, Christ is our bright hope for tomorrow!
November Truck Driver Recognition
Congratulations to Rafael Wilson, Luis Acosta, and, Isac Mairena for being recognized for the excellent work in November, driving trucks. We are grateful for their efforts!
Educator Game Win!
A lot of Purple Crows were in attendance at Saturday’s Educator Celebration Game. Purple Crow was glad to contribute to the effort and congratulates the Deacs on winning their final home football game this season. Education is important to us all, and we are fortunate to be a part of a community that celebrates teachers and learners!
October Truck Driver Recognition
Congratulations to Allan Arellano-Noyola, Ariel Perez, and Michael Grubbs for being recognized for the excellent work in October, driving trucks. We are grateful for their efforts!
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.
A Mercado to Remember
The first annual Crow Mercado was a blast! We are so thankful to all the vendors who participated and the shoppers who came and shopped till they dropped! The artwork below ‘Crow Doing Crow Things’ was drawn by our employees and their families!
Cameron Mallory
A rising DC United prospect whose Dad (Matthew) is a Crow stopped by to see us yesterday. We pray he has a bright future ahead. We are cheering for you Cameron!
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
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!
Updates on the Crow Mercado
This post highlights invited guests, vendors, games, and raffle prizes for the Crow Mercado on 9/13/25 in the Crow Civic Center (aka Food Show Warehouse).
Special guest: The Twin City Bicycle Collective is bringing a bike rodeo and free repairs, so bring your bicycle if it needs to be fixed! They will also have 7 bicycles for our free raffle.
La Princesa (limited number of free paletas)
Games: Pickle Ball, Bike Rodeo, TBD
Raffle: Bicycles, Big Screen TV, TBD
Vendors: Aroma Avenue; The Lane Exchange; a total of 23 tables and counting; with more to come!
Back 2 School Festival
The Back 2 School Festival in Boone is a miracle of community and an outpouring of loving support for educating children. Kendra Sink, thank you so much for allowing us to partner in this great work of getting kids excited to go back to school. I hope to get to pass out socks again next year!
Fully Rely on God (FROG)
Last night, we partnered with FROG and Good Works Engine to give away back-to-school supplies. Our volunteers got to help with shoe fitting. Thank you, Tom Temple, for the beautiful pictures!
Higher Edu
These students brightened our day as we celebrated them winning scholarships!
Congrats to all our recipients: Abril Frid, Brandon Overby, Camila Frid, Gabriela Langham, Jason Langham, Karina Joaquin-Torres, Keenan Larking, Kendall Sidney, Lily Bolz, Luciana Sierra, Paige Sidney, Scarleth Bonilla, Yandel Adorno Catala
Read Aloud!
Freedome School is in the house!
Luke, Lucy, and Phillip went to the Forest Park Elementary’s Freedom School to be Read Aloud Guest readers. The Hamboree was hype, and the kids were glorious. “A reader today, a leader tomorrow” 6/26/25
