John Robert Lewis Fellow
Cohort 3
(2023 - 2024)
Undergraduate Institution: Northeastern Illinois University (B.A. Inner City Studies, Sociology)
Graduate Institution: Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (MDiv), Payne Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry)
Occupation: Pastor, Bethel AME Church in Champaign IL
Career Goals/Interests: -
Current Region: Champaign, IL
JRL Program Bio: The Reverend Terrance L. Thomas has the knowledge of Black culture coupled with the anointing of God that places him in the forefront of modern ministry. As a native from the Southside of Chicago, Rev. Thomas knows the Bible and he knows the community. The love he has for the people and his commitment to preaching God’s Word makes him a voice to harken to. Currently Rev. Thomas is the pastor of Bethel AME Church in Champaign IL, the oldest Black church in the county and the Executive Director of Building Community Life Center, a faith-based non-profit that focuses on improving the lives of those in the Central Illinois area. With an undergraduate degree in Inner City Studies with a minor in Sociology from Northeastern Illinois University (2007) and a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with concentration in African American Church Leadership (2017), Rev. Thomas is committed to developing the cultural awareness, political intelligence, and spiritual disciplines of those under his care both on the church and on the community. Currently, Rev. Thomas is pursuing his Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral and Community Leadership at Payne Theological Seminary.
Oral History Project: https://www.faithandpolitics.org/oral-history/terrancelthomas
