Tom Fay has had a most interesting and fulfilling life. Growing up on a farm in northern Illinois helped him to develop character, strength, and independence, and his entrepreneurial proclivity became obvious at a young age. It was during these early years that Tom began to cultivate a deep relationship with God.

After graduating from the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music (now Cornerstone University) with honors in Theology, Tom was called into the ministry at a church in the suburbs of San Diego, California. A few years later, Tom was inspired to found Southern California Bible College, which merged with another college in 1997 to form the Southern California Seminary. 

At age 30, Tom went back to obtain further education at Simpson College in San Francisco (now Simpson University in Redding, California). After graduating, he entered into the business world, dabbling in everything from real estate to telecommunications. He made and lost a fortune several times over the years, but his entrepreneurial drive gave him the motivation he needed to keep pressing forward with grit and creativity.