The "Wake Up With Dee Morning Show" received a powerful message of purpose and community impact when the Rev. Dr. Thomas Beavers, senior pastor of New Rising Star Church joined the weekly “Wednesday’s Word” segment to share spiritual encouragement and insight.
Rev Beavers, a Birmingham native and graduate of Minor High School, has long emphasized service and personal development in his ministry. A former Kentucky State University basketball letterman and Mr. KSU, he later earned both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Beeson Divinity School at Samford University. He succeeded his grandfather, the Rev. Dr. Tommy Chappell, after his 35-year tenure, continuing a multigenerational legacy of leadership in Birmingham’s Eastlake community.
During the interview, Rev Beavers centered his message on the necessity of knowing one’s God-given purpose. “Purpose is so important that whenever you use something for the purpose for which it was not intended, it becomes functionally dysfunctional,” he told listeners. He encouraged people to seek clarity from the Creator, warning that without purpose, individuals may become “stuck in the same place when you were intended to go to the next level.”
Rev Beavers’ pastoral work reflects this philosophy. Under his leadership, The STAR has expanded to include two additional campuses in Pell City and Sylacauga. His ministry focuses on evangelism, education, financial literacy, workforce development, housing and recreation, all aimed at improving quality of life for families in the community.
That holistic mission was evident during a period when government SNAP benefits were temporarily halted. Beavers recalled how the church stepped in to bridge the gap. “When people's SNAP benefits got cut off, we decided to snap back,” he said, explaining how The STAR fed more than 1,400 families during the crisis. Factoring in whole households, the church reached an estimated 4,500 people, an effort he likened to the biblical feeding of the multitudes.
In addition to his pastoral role, Rev Beavers is an adjunct professor of Black Church Studies at the Grace School of Theology in Woodlands, Texas, where he developed the curriculum for the program. He also serves as Pastors and Ministers Director for The Ambassadors Assembly Network, mentors church leaders nationwide and is active on several boards, including the NRS Community Development Federal Credit Union and the New Rising Star Community Support Corporation, which oversees the Peggy Wynn Learning Center.
Rev Beavers is the author of the book The Fight of My Life—Born to Win and has written several eBooks available through the church’s website. Beyond ministry and teaching, he is a sought-after motivational speaker.
To listen to the full interview, click the link above.