Rev. Tom Seppo has been the Executive Director for Operation Transformation since January of 2002. (He was a full-time, ordained minister for 20 years preceding that at a church in Port Huron.) OT is a local non-profit organization whose purpose is to foster a united, life-giving church in the Greater Blue Water Area. OT works together with civic and service organizations to develop ways to meet the many needs of the citizens of our community. Tom meets regularly with church and community leaders to find ways to collaborate on specific projects, and be the “light and salt” that Jesus spoke of. Rev. Seppo’s goal is to see cooperation (versus separation) of church and state.

Rev. Seppo has also served as the Chaplain for the St. Clair County Sheriff Department since April of 2002. He oversees all Spiritual Life programming at the Intervention Center and services at the Juvenile Treatment Center.

Tom has been married to his wife Brenda since 1979 and they have 3 children: Rebecca, Andrea, and Andrew.
Rev. Seppo and his family reside in Fort Gratiot, Michigan.

OT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AREAS OF MINISTRY – "THE 5 C’s"

Churches – OT works with the faith-based organizations by attending minister association meetings, planning collaborative services and outreaches, sitting on boards and committees and sponsoring conferences/seminars.

Community – OT endeavors to work with organizations and as a committee/board member to represent the faith-based community and perspective. OT also is a support to, and seeks to build relationships with, community and civic leaders.

Chaplain Services – OT oversees the Spiritual Life Ministry at the St. Clair County Intervention Center and MPRI at Macomb Regional Correctional Facility. OT provides volunteer chaplaincy services to the City of Port Huron Police Department, along with Port Huron and Mercy Hospitals. OT is also available to provide spiritual services to businesses and in a variety of settings.

Commerce – OT sponsors COMPASS Christian Business Alliance, a group geared to support and equip Christian business leaders for success. COMPASS meets monthly to instill Christian values, provide practical wisdom and resources, provide mentoring and serve as an outreach to the greater business community.

Certification – OT has developed a program to ensure that faith-based non-profit organizations operate at the highest standards by reviewing their legal, financial, and procedural aspects. Recommendations are made by professionals in each area so each organization can be certified that they are following sound business principles.

ENDORSEMENTS FROM COMMUNITY OFFICIALS

“I am truly inspired by the possibilities of Operation Transformation…The possibility that via the wave of community purpose, we may actually restore moral character in our schools, our businesses, and our county.”
Cynthia S. Platzer, Chief District Court Judge - The 72nd Judicial District of Michigan

“I believe in Operation Transformation and their goals in the community. This office will give any and all support that we possibly can.”
Sheriff Dan Lane, St. Clair County, Michigan

“The City of Port Huron has many partners in trying to make Port Huron the best place to live, work and play. Operation Transformation is one of our partners.”
B. Mark Neal, former Mayor - Port Huron, Michigan

“I am very pleased that an organization such as Operation Transformation exists for our citizens. I am absolutely convinced that faith based organizations play an important role in the community. I have come to realize how effective OT has become, and embrace your credo of ‘Churches Cooperating for a Changed Community.’”
Shaun S. Groden, Administrator - St. Clair County

OT HISTORY

In 1990, Project 2000 of St. Clair County began with a few pastors and churches uniting to do community outreach through door-to-door surveys. The goal was to share the Gospel Message to every man, woman and child in St. Clair County by the year 2000. It was incorporated as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization in 1997. Through a variety of methods, including seminars, various outreaches and special services, Project 2000 was successful on two fronts: cooperatively working together and sharing our faith within the community.

In the year 2000, the vision expanded to become a more significant voice in the community, city and educational systems of the Blue Water area. The name was changed to Operation Transformation – to reflect the goal to make a significant difference and impact in our community. There was an increasing need to have a recognizable face and voice to represent the cooperative church effort.

Beginning in January 2002, Rev. Tom Seppo became full-time with Operation Transformation in a new position as the Executive Director. Tom represents OT and the faith-based perspective in the community among the city and community leaders and organizations, working to establish programs and working relationships. He is also OT’s representative among the pastors and churches.

A second exciting development occured in December of 2001. An organization called D. N. Deringer decided to donate a building and 2 vacant lots to OT. The property is located at 1904 Poplar St. in Port Huron. It is a lovely two-level office building with 2600 square feet. The top level is used by Operation Transformation, and the lower level currently has four faith-based office tenants.

The vision of Operation Transformation is to see “Churches Cooperating for a Changed Community”. The mission statement is “To foster a life-giving, united church in our Blue Water community, that will work together with civic and service organizations and develop ways to help meet the many needs of the citizens of our community. The leadership infrastructure now includes a Board of Directors consisting of 6 local pastors and a businessman, and divides into 5 ministry areas: Church, Community Chaplain, Commerce and Certification.

OT also sponsored a mission trip to Guatemala in 2003 with 18 participants including medical, dental and sanitation projects. This has turned into Chiquimula, Guatemala becoming Port Huron’s Sister City. Several Outreaches and positive events for the community are held each year, including one on Boat Night during the Mackinac Race. Pastoral Relations have been strengthened by weekly prayer times for pastors, other events/services and retreats. Community Service projects show the community we are tangibly making a difference through fighting blight, helping low-income senior citizens, work projects, help to prisoner’s families, etc. We are currently involved in a number of programs like VIP Christian mentoring (with the courts), being available to help in crisis situations, mediation, and overseeing the Spiritual Life programming at the Intervention Center (jail). OT also serves as a liaison for information between the civic and church communities. Compass Christian Business Alliance has also been developed to help foster integrity and ethics in the workplace.

We are supported solely by financial contributions from churches, businesses and individuals to provide the resources for this cutting edge urban ministry. For more information, call the OT office at 810-966-8660.

:: Who We Are

OT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AREAS OF MINISTRY – "THE 5 C’s"

ENDORSEMENTS FROM COMMUNITY OFFICIALS

OT HISTORY

OT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

COMMERCE