The Black Church-Practical Theology: Rev Dr Gregory E Thomas

At the Edge: Think Culture

This week I interview my uncle, the Reverend Dr. Gregory E. Thomas has pastored the historic, Calvary Baptist Church of Haverhill, MA for 22 years. Since coming to the predominately African-American 140-year-old church, he has grown the membership, acquired new property, revamped Christian education and initiated ministries of spirituality. He initiated a revamped scholarship program for high school graduates pursuing higher education; instituted food ministries to combat hunger throughout the Merrimac Valley; started a nonprofit development corporation dedicated to taking the mission of the church outside of its walls, and created the Reverend Dr. Gregory E. Thomas African American Church Lecture Series. A native of Cleveland, OH, he entered the preaching ministry in 1980 in Elizabeth, NJ. Dr. Thomas completed his undergraduate study in history in 1970 from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, OH, where he was a star football player. He received his master's degree in theological studies in 1989 from Harvard Divinity School and his doctorate of ministry in 2001 from Boston University School of Theology. He is a doctoral candidate at Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in practical theology. Dr. Thomas has taught at Goethe University, Harvard Divinity School, Gordon Conwell Seminary and Leslie College. He has written for the American Baptist Quarterly, the National Baptist Voice and has contributed to several books. He is married to the former Janie R. McMillian & has two adult children, Staff Sgt. Eli D. Lavelanet & Jennifer L. Thomas. Dr. Thomas has served on many boards, including the Haverhill Housing Partnership, the former Bradford College, Habitat for Humanity in Greater Lawrence, the United Baptist Convention of MA, RI and NH and as Advisor to The Center for Practical Theology, Boston University School of Theology.