PRAYER TOWER
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
Pastor Ronald Thompson, Sr.
Ronald G. Thompson, Sr., was born in Oakland, California July 7, 1947 to the proud parents, John Henry Thompson and Alberta Evelyn Thompson. He attended public schools in Oakland, graduating from Castlemont High School in June 1965. Ronald continued his education at various colleges, including Laney Junior College and San Francisco State University. In 2004 he obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies, from Bay Cities Bible Institute School of Theology.
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As a young boy, and to his pleasure, Ron was musically influenced by his mother who encouraged him to sing with small groups and choirs at the Mingleton Temple Church of God in Christ, Oakland. In earlier years, Ron had the opportunity to work with such musical greats as, Sammy Chisom (organist), James Josey (director), Willie Hall (organist), Daniel Hawkins (organist), Edwin Hawkins, and Bishop Walter
Hawkins. In the 1960’s, Edwin Hawkins asked Ron to join his group, The Hebrew Boys, and Edwin later invited him to join the Northern California State Youth Choir, which was later known as the Edwin Hawkins Singers. This gave him the opportunity to tour the United States and Europe, singing on many television shows and in concerts with such musical greats as the Isley Brothers, Diana Ross, The Jackson Five, Sergio Mendes, Brazil 66, Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdinck, The Four Tops, and many others.
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In 1970, after returning home from his first European tour with The Edwin Hawkins Singers, the late Bishop B. R. Stewart asked Ron, at the advice of his daughter, Algerita, to be the President and Director of the Northern California State Choir. He served in that position for about seven years, establishing many fond memories and relationships from that assignment.
Ronald attended Mingleton Temple Church of God in Christ, founded by his uncle, the late Elder I. J. Mingleton, from birth to March 2004, where he serves in various capacities such as, Choir Director, Minister of Music, Trustee, Youth Pastor, and Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, it was here that Ronald accepted the call to become a minister in 1978, and in 1982, he was ordained an Elder. Mingleton Temple will always be home to him!
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With God-directed inspiration to begin a new Ministry, Harvest Time Church of God in Christ, Elder Thompson officially left Mingleton Temple to give full time to that Ministry. Upon the death of Superintendent Jacob Perry, Sr. in April 2004, the late Pastor of Prayer Tower Church of God in Christ, Bishop Albert Galbraith, Jurisdictional Prelate for the Northern California 1st Jurisdiction, asked Elder Thompson to Pastor Prayer Tower Church of God in Christ. Elder Thompson willingly and humbly accepted the appointment.
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In 1968, Ron married Marvie McSwain of Omaha, Nebraska, who was later killed in an auto accident. Staci Ronyelle was born into that marriage. In September 1978, Ron married Lavada Marjorie Williams (Dolly), and they have two beautiful children, Ronald Jr., and Angela Lavada.
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Pastor Thompson, along with his wife Lavada, have been busy in the vineyard continuing the work Supt. and Mother Perry began. Elder Thompson is teaching God’s Word and ministering to and providing support to the Prayer Tower Church family.
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As part of Elder Thompson’s Ministry, he has set a goal to reclaim the youth in the community. As part of the Prayer Tower Ministry he has established a Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack which has drawn in youth from the community.
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Prayer Tower is an active participant in our Neighborhood Watch and the NCPC Organizations. Through the leadership of Pastor Thompson, God is opening many doors for Prayer Tower and changing lives.
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For you who know Pastor Thompson, you know he always finds time to fish for lost souls and he still has a passion to fish for those aquatic fish also.