The Rev. Thomas J. Patterson counts his three jobs as a blessing from God.

When he’s not in the pulpit on Sunday morning preaching at Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church on Broad Street organized three years ago, he’s on the radio at 1490AM/WHBB where he’s been shaking up the airwaves with his “Gospel Caravan” Monday through Saturday evenings from 6 p.m. until midnight for the past eight years.

And when he’s not doing either of those jobs Patterson serves as a security officer at Dallas County Human Resources from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., where he’s worked for nine years.

How does he do it?

“It’s all a part of my ministry,” Patterson said. “I love people and I love what I’m doing and it’s all part of my hometown Selma. I’m thankful that many people have been saved through my ministry, inviting them to give their life to Christ. I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.”

Patterson’s religious faith and his call to the ministry find their roots in the home that nurtured him. His father was the late Rev. John H. Patterson who served as pastor of the Mt. Olive No. 1 Missionary Baptist Church of Sardis for more than 63 years. His brother is the Rev. Dr. R.L. Patterson, pastor of the Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham.

Patterson said that his wife Patsy is very supportive of his three-fold ministry and that he has also found strong support in the community.

Being in three different arenas – on land and on air – lots of people know him, he said.

But the needs of the church always come first, he said. He considers himself “on call” 24/7.

Over the years Patterson, a graduate of Selma High School and Selma University, has worked for several area radio stations and one television station in Camden, Marion and Montgomery. He has also served as pastor of congregations in Benton, Orrville and at New Hope Baptist Church in Selma.

Far from finding three jobs overwhelming, Patterson seems to thrive – and he loves Selma.

“There’s nothing like living and working in your own hometown of Selma,” he said.