Uncover the Journey of Dr. Thomas H. Mills
Welcome to the personal page of Dr. Thomas H. Mills, where passion meets expertise. Explore his innovative approach to sharing knowledge and connecting with others.
Dr. Mills is intimately involved in ministry in his community. He attends Rock Church, Danville, IL and is an elder there. He is employed as a PRN chaplain with a local not-for-profit hospital. He is a chaplain (Captain) with the Civil Air Patrol. And he is the “Riders Chaplain” with a local chapter of the American Legion Riders.
Discover the World of Dr. Thomas H. Mills
Dr. Mills’ life highlights.
Academic Journey
A.S. in Avionics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL – 1995
B.A. in Bible and Theology, Cum Laude, from Lee University, Cleveland, TN – 2000
M.Div. with a counseling concentration, Cum Laude, from Church of God Theological Seminary, Cleveland, TN – 2003.
D.Min. with a counseling focus, Summa Cum Laude, from Pentecostal Theological Seminary, Cleveland, TN – 2025.
Research Insights
Researched the effectiveness of spiritual care using a group cognitive behavioral therapy approach for depression.
Buy the dissertation on Amazon:
Assisted with research on Chaplaincy and Mental Health with the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs
https://ppc.unl.edu/sites/default/files/resource-files/chmh-in-va-dod-nieuwsma-et-al_2013.pdf
Dr. Mills spent 21 years in the United States Air Force. His assignments included three countries: USA, Iceland, and Germany. He was assigned to six different states including TX, MS, CA, VA, AK, and NY.
His awards include: Meritorious Service Medal with 1 device, Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 devices, Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 device, National Defense Service Medal, and a host of other personal / unit medals and ribbons.
Military Assignments.
Basic Training – Lackland AFB, TX, 8/77
Technical School – Keesler AFB, MS, 9/77 – Avionics Communications Specialist
Castle AFB, CA, 3/78 – 93rd Avionics Maintenance Squadron – Avionics Communications Systems repair. Included B-52Gs, B-52Hs and KC-135As.
Keflavik NAS, Iceland, 8/80 – 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron – Avionics Communications & Navigation Systems repair / Aircraft Electronics Warfare Systems repair. Included F-4Es, T-33As, and HH-3s
Langley AFB, VA, 8/82 – 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron – Avionics Communications Systems repair. Included EC-135s, T-39s and UH-1s
HQ Tactical Tactical Air Command, 5/85 – Technical Order Library custodian. Maintained over 18,000 volumes of all technical manuals for every aircraft and aircraft system of all Tactical Air Command assigned aircraft.
Eielson AFB, AK, 9/91 – 6th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron – Avionics Communications Systems repair. RC-135 Cobra Eye and Cobra Ball aircraft.
Griffiss AFB, NY, 9/92 – Avionics Communications / Navigations Systems repair and flightline expediter. B-52Hs.
Ramstein AB, Germany, 11/94 – Aircraft Avionics Communications & Navigations Systems repair on C-130Es. And also served as Aircraft Maintenance Production Superintendent.
HQ U.S. Air Forces Europe 2/96 – Operational Support Aircraft Fleet Program Manager – all the VIP / Commercial Derivative Aircraft owned by the Air Force in Europe: 1 CT-43A (crashed 4/96), 4 Beech Super King Air aircraft (C-12s), 13 Lear 35A (C-21s), 6 DC-9 (C-9s), and 3 Gulfstream IIIs (C-20s).
Retired 9/98 as MSgt / E7
Professional Milestones
Became an “Exhorter” with the Church of God, Cleveland, TN – 4/82
Promoted to “Ordained Minister” 7/85
Promoted to “Ordained Bishop” 5/92
From 1982 – 1998 served in various capacities as a bi-vocational pastor while in the military including local churches and “Servicemen’s Centers” in Europe.
Hired by Department of Veterans Affairs as a CPE Resident 9/03 at James Quillen VA Medical Center in Johnson City, TN – Completed 16 units of Clinical Pastoral Education or about 6500 hours of supervised clinical training over a four year period. His primary focus was mental health and PTSD.
Hired as VA Staff Chaplain 8/07 – VA Illiana Health Care System (VAIHCS), Danville, IL. Worked primarily in Mental Health, Gero-Psych and Long Term Care.
Promoted to Acting Chief of Chaplains at VAIHCS 9/09.
Received the VA “Secretary’s Award for Excellence” for 2009 – 8/10
Selected as Chairman of Certification for the National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains (NAVAC). 9/09
Hired as permanent Chief of Chaplains at VAIHCS – 9/12
Selected to assist National Chaplain Center as a “Chief Chaplain Mentor” – 9/13
Developed the tool box for National Chaplain Center to approve/disapprove new Spiritual Assessment Tools used in the VA System.
Selected as Chairman of the Board of Directors for NAVAC – 9/14
Awarded the “President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement” by NAVAC – 8/18
Retired from VA 2/19
Hired as Staff Chaplain with OSF Healthcare 4/22, Danville, IL – works primarily in Emergency Department, ICU and the Behavioral Health Unit at a sister hospital in Urbana, IL
Assisted with the Chaplain Marketing Working Group for the entire OSF enterprise.
Assisted with the Chaplain Emergency Department Working Group.
The Story of Dr. Thomas H. Mills
Dr. Mills was born to working class parents. His father was an Air Force enlisted man. Early on, he worked in aircraft maintenance. While with the Air National Guard and Air Reserve component his father was an aircrew member on C-97s and later on C-141s. His father worked most of his adult life as an Airframe and Powerplant repairman for the airline industry. His mother was a stay-at-home mother and wife.
He grew up primarily in the Southwest United States with his four brothers and one sister.
During his time at home, Dr. Mills got involved in archery. He became the Arizona State champion several times. He also placed quite well in national competition. Both of his parents were Olympic Coaches for TEAM USA ARCHERY in 1996. In the early 1970s his father, Bill Mills, set two world records.
Dr. Tom spent 21 years in the U.S. Air Force working in aircraft maintenance. While he enjoyed his military career, there were some challenges. He experienced four specific traumatic events that eventually led to a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder. There have also been a few traumatic events after retiring from USAF.
Because of those challenges, Dr. Mills has focused much of his ministry helping others with debilitating mental health challenges. He’s especially prone to helping Veterans and others “on the fringe” of society.
He’s been married to his bride, Sandy, since 1979. He has one adult child, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
He is also quite fond of his “puppy” Rugare. Rugare is a 95 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback. Rugare means “peace or peaceful” in the Shona language. It is one of the languages spoken in Zimbabwe which used to be Rhodesia.
Dr. Mills’ hobbies are Amateur Radio and riding his motorcycle.
What is Dr. Mills’ professional background?
Dr. Mills has served the Church as a bi-vocational pastor and servicemen’s center director while serving as an enlisted man in the United States Air Force. He has also worked in healthcare chaplaincy with the Department of Veterans Affairs and not-for-profit community hospitals.
What are Dr. Mills’ main areas of interest?
Dr. Mills has an appreciation for helping people struggling with mental health challenges.
In his personal life, he is an avid motorcyclist and amateur (ham) radio operator. Dr. Mills also enjoys being in the great outdoors including, camping and fishing.
How can I connect with Dr. Mills?
e-mail: DoctorTom@drthmills.com
Mobile: 217-266-7537
