Tom Buchanan was born a 7th-generation Alabamian and grew up in Montgomery, in a loving family devoted to God, their Presbyterian Church, and (by no fault of his own) the Auburn Tigers. At 17, he left home to attend Vanderbilt University, graduating in 1989. Pursuing a strong sense of call stemming from the renewal of his faith in his senior year, Tom then traveled north of the Mason-Dixon line to enroll at Princeton Theological Seminary and graduated in 1993. He was ordained to the Ministry of Word & Sacrament in the fall of that year. In 1997, Tom moved back to the South, to Georgia, and has served churches in Marietta, Johns Creek, Atlanta, Carrollton, and Athens, becoming Covenant’s Pastor & Head of Staff in August 2024.

Over all his years in ministry, Tom has brought enthusiastic gifts for teaching and preaching, team-building leadership, and attentive pastoral care. A passionate scholar at heart who loves bringing people together around a biblically centered vision of discipleship and justice, he is also energized by an imaginative entrepreneurial spirit which embraces new ideas for outreach and community-building.

Tom is married to Lisa Buchanan, his best friend and love of his life, and together, they are the proud parents of a prodigiously expressive Bengal/Tabby cat named “Bug” who never fails to entertain. With a penchant for corny jokes, obscure Lord of the Rings trivia, and all-around nerd-dom, Tom loves reading, writing, teaching, and long walks, and together with Lisa, enjoys day-tripping, UGA concerts and events, and engaging in benign soccer hooliganism in support of Atlanta United FC. 

Tom and Lisa made Athens their home in 2019 and are wholeheartedly committed to this beautiful, vibrant college town. It is with great gratitude and an abiding hope that they walk this journey of faith with the people of Covenant Presbyterian Church