This Is Who We Are: Oliver and Emily Thoma
May 11th, 2016 | John Chandler
This is Who We Are is an interview series where the women and men of Austin Mustard Seed introduce themselves. If you’d like to participate, send an email to Chris Morton.
This week we have the pleasure of introducing you to Oliver and Emily Thoma.
What is the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled?
Scotland is the most exciting place we have traveled to (especially driving on the opposite side of the road!). The beauty of the highlands is breathtaking, and the coast near St Andrews and Crail is sublime. The opening scene of Chariots of Fire was filmed on the beaches of St Andrews. Also we encountered a spontaneous pub concert on the Isle of Skye that was terrific and ended with everyone holding hands and singing “Auld Lang Syne.”
What books have influenced you the most?
The most influential book Oliver has read is NT Wright’s Surprised by Hope; Emily’s is Seven by Jen Hatmaker. If you mention NT Wright or CS Lewis, to say nothing of Ernest Hemingway and John le Carré, you can divert Oliver’s attention rapidly.
What is the best movie you’ve seen recently?
The last movie we saw that we really appreciated was Spotlight.
How did you meet?
We are both Fighting Texas Aggies (i.e., we went to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas), which is where we met. Oliver saw Emily run through a second baseman in a non-competitive city softball team we played on, and He knew then that He had to marry her. Our Saturdays in the fall are spent tailgating at Texas Aggie football games.
What do you consider your vocation?
Emily is an amazing and talented special education teacher. Emily is also superb at making people laugh and adding energy to people’s lives. By contrast, Oliver is an attorney. He picked his profession because he gets paid to pursue his life long passion of arguing while helping people along the way.
Why do you follow Jesus?
We follow Jesus because he is the King ushering in heaven on earth, resurrecting the dead and restoring His creation. His kingdom is presently invading earth, and our task as Christians is to join in the advance- to bring peace, hope, and understand what it truly means to be made in God’s image and stewards of His creation.
What do you love about Austin Mustard Seed?
Austin Mustard Seed is filled with welcoming Christ-followers who strive for authentic worship and seek the welfare of Austin and its communities.