Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Alford.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Reverend Thomas Alford, Founder and CEO of Blue Lotus Ministries Inc., a federally recognized 501(c)(3) religious nonprofit serving Georgia and surrounding communities. Blue Lotus Ministries was born out of personal hardship, faith, compassion, and a deep calling to make sure no one feels forgotten.
My journey wasn’t easy. I’ve walked through seasons of loss, spiritual warfare, and life-changing challenges that forced me to rely on faith, resilience, and divine purpose. Instead of allowing those experiences to break me, they became the foundation for service. Through my own struggles, I saw just how many people are silently hurting families fighting to eat, children in need of hope, elders feeling unseen, and countless individuals searching for emotional, spiritual, and physical support. That awakening became my fuel.
Blue Lotus Ministries exists to uplift the underserved, empower the marginalized, and restore dignity to individuals and families in need. Today, we serve through faith-based empowerment, holistic wellness, and compassionate outreach, including our Need to Feed program, holiday initiatives like Zoiya’s Secret Santa Giveaway, and strong community support programs. We’ve been blessed to partner with organizations such as Publix, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Walmart Spark Good, Cajun Two Step LLC, Making Ways for the Elderly Inc., and others. One of our most meaningful milestones has been blessing thousands of children from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to Babies Can’t Wait Macon Georgia providing toys, comfort, and love to sick children and those receiving developmental and speech services, reminding them they matter and they are not alone.
This journey has required sacrifice, unwavering faith, and the strength of community support. Much of our work is self-funded and sustained by compassionate donors, but every step proves that purpose is stronger than obstacles. Today, Blue Lotus Ministries stands as living proof that healing, compassion, and faith can change lives. Our mission continues to expand as we work toward larger outreach efforts, including securing a food truck to feed even more families with dignity, care, and love.
Our story is one of survival, calling, transformation, and unwavering belief that serving humanity is sacred work. I am honored to continue this mission and look forward to sharing more of our journey, challenges, victories, and vision for the future.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When you build something rooted in faith, compassion, and service, you quickly discover that the journey requires strength, resilience, and unwavering purpose. One of our biggest challenges has been finding partners and sponsors who truly share our heart organizations that don’t just want their name attached to “charity,” but genuinely care about dignity, compassion, and real community impact. Many doors closed before a few opened, and there were seasons where we had to move forward in faith and self-fund because the need was too great to ignore.
Another major challenge has been balancing this ministry while caring for our disabled baby, Zoiya Alford, who was born with TEF Type C and CHARGE Syndrome. Navigating hospital stays, medical uncertainties, therapies, and the emotional weight of watching your child fight for life changes you. It humbles you. It teaches patience, strength, faith, and compassion on a level most people will never understand. Zoiya isn’t just part of our story she is one of our greatest inspirations. Her fight, her courage, and her light remind us why love, service, and community truly matter.
The emotional burden, financial strain, sleepless nights, and moments of fear could have broken us but instead, they fueled our mission. Every “no” pushed us to trust God more. Every hardship strengthened our calling. And every child, elder, and family we help reminds us that the struggle has purpose.
These challenges shaped Blue Lotus Ministries into what it is today a ministry built not from comfort, but from compassion, lived experience, and unwavering faith.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Along with leading Blue Lotus Ministries, I’m also a writer and creator. I’ve published eight books so far, all rooted in faith, healing, real-life experience, and the belief that our stories can change lives. Writing has been a way for me to turn struggle into purpose and to help others find strength, hope, and identity through words. I’m especially proud of the children’s comics I created about my daughter, Zoiya The TEF/CHARGE Hero. She represents courage, resilience, and the incredible strength of medically complex children. I’ve also created manga-style comics like “Zori and the Echo of Spells,” which give kids adventure, imagination, representation, and empowerment.
What I’m most proud of is that everything I do comes from a real place real faith, real hardship, real love, and real purpose. I don’t create for attention; I create to inspire, uplift, and remind people that even in the hardest seasons, there is still light, meaning, and calling.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Yes, mentorship has played a meaningful role in my journey. I’ve been blessed to learn from Patricia Duncan, RN, BSN, MBA, PCHA Founder and CEO of MWE, Inc. and Alice’s Place Adult Daycare. She is a highly respected leader whose wisdom, compassion, professionalism, and heart for community truly inspire me. Watching how she serves with excellence and dignity has helped shape how I lead, make decisions, and care for the people we serve.
When it comes to mentorship and networking, I’ve learned that the best relationships are built on shared values, authenticity, and purpose not chasing connections just for status. You grow when you surround yourself with people who challenge you, support you, and genuinely want to see you succeed.
I’m still actively seeking a few additional mentors to continue learning and growing. Staying teachable is important to me, and I believe God places the right people in your life at the right time to help guide your purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Bluelotusministriesinc.neocities.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17eG1zPqms/
Image Credits
Babies cant wait
Children’s Healthcare Of Atlanta
My beautiful wife and children.
Warner Robins Police Department.
