RESUME
Objective
What I want is to live fully and wholly, following in the way of Jesus,
to write a better story with my life, and help others write one with theirs.
to write a better story with my life, and help others write one with theirs.
Vital Statistics· Born June 19, 1977, in Minden, LA
· Graduated Class of 1995, Baton Rouge Magnet High School · Ordained January 2006, Houston, TX · Married Abby Conner December 23, 2006 · 2 sons- James Conner Thomas, born February 2011 and Jesse Canaan Thomas, born February 2017 - Graduated Class of 2022, Luther Seminary (MDiv) |
Education· 1995-2000 East Texas Baptist University, Marshall, TX
Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Minor in Theater · 2001-2005 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, LA · 2007-2009 Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Havard Campus, Houston, TX - 2015-2022 Luther Seminary, Master of Divinity, DL Program |
Technology Skills
Microsoft Windows :: Microsoft Office [Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher] :: iTunes :: MediaShout :: Constant Contact :: Proficiency with social networking sites including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Reddit :: Working knowledge of various Web and Blogging platforms [Blogger, Wordpress, YouTube, Vimeo, Ezekiel, Weebly], including live-streaming video :: Experience with several church database systems [Shelby, Fellowship One, Connection Power] :: Ability to learn new software and develop proficiency quickly.
Continuing Education
Youth Specialties National Youth Worker Convention (NYWC): 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013
Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012
Crowder’s Fantastical Church Music Conference: 2010
21st Century Faith Formation Training 2013
Storyline Conference 2013
ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza 2015
CPE 1 Unit - UT-MD Anderson Cancer Center 2020-2021
Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012
Crowder’s Fantastical Church Music Conference: 2010
21st Century Faith Formation Training 2013
Storyline Conference 2013
ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza 2015
CPE 1 Unit - UT-MD Anderson Cancer Center 2020-2021
Ministry Experience
Covenant Lutheran Church, Houston, TX
December 2022 to present, Pastor
Preaching :: Presiding at communion :: Pastoral Care to a congregation of about 75 :: Supervision of ministerial and support staff :: Teaching Bible Study :: Helping cultivate a mission and vision for developing spiritually mature adults and serving the local community :: Revitalization
December 2022 to present, Pastor
Preaching :: Presiding at communion :: Pastoral Care to a congregation of about 75 :: Supervision of ministerial and support staff :: Teaching Bible Study :: Helping cultivate a mission and vision for developing spiritually mature adults and serving the local community :: Revitalization
Christ The Servant Lutheran Church, Houston, TX
July 2014 to August 2022, Director of Youth and Family Ministry/Pastoral Intern
Jim Giannantonio - Lead Pastor
Full-time leadership of age-group ministries, including youth from birth through graduation :: Cultivating a vision and mission for developing spiritually mature youth, and coordinating a team of volunteers to execute that vision :: Developing a comprehensive communication plan using print, web, and face-to-face strategies to promote ministry events and ideals :: Partner with and equip families to be the primary spiritual mentors to their children through training, teaching, resourcing, and the curating of content :: Redesign and launch a new website and online presence utilizing social media :: Occasional worship leadership responsibilities including preaching in place of the Pastor.
July 2014 to August 2022, Director of Youth and Family Ministry/Pastoral Intern
Jim Giannantonio - Lead Pastor
Full-time leadership of age-group ministries, including youth from birth through graduation :: Cultivating a vision and mission for developing spiritually mature youth, and coordinating a team of volunteers to execute that vision :: Developing a comprehensive communication plan using print, web, and face-to-face strategies to promote ministry events and ideals :: Partner with and equip families to be the primary spiritual mentors to their children through training, teaching, resourcing, and the curating of content :: Redesign and launch a new website and online presence utilizing social media :: Occasional worship leadership responsibilities including preaching in place of the Pastor.
Living Word Lutheran Church, Katy, TX
August 2011 to June 2014, Director of High School and Young Adult Ministries
Emmanuel Jackson - Lead Pastor
Full-time responsibility for growing and developing a ministry to high school students :: Planning and direction of large-group Bible study, camps, retreats, mission trips, service projects and fellowship events :: As a member of the FamilyFaithLife Team - Partnering with parents and families and equipping them to be the primary spiritual mentors to their children through training, resourcing and the curating of content :: Oversight and operation of a new audiovisual ministry and staff :: Occasional preaching and leadership of Adult Bible Study.
August 2011 to June 2014, Director of High School and Young Adult Ministries
Emmanuel Jackson - Lead Pastor
Full-time responsibility for growing and developing a ministry to high school students :: Planning and direction of large-group Bible study, camps, retreats, mission trips, service projects and fellowship events :: As a member of the FamilyFaithLife Team - Partnering with parents and families and equipping them to be the primary spiritual mentors to their children through training, resourcing and the curating of content :: Oversight and operation of a new audiovisual ministry and staff :: Occasional preaching and leadership of Adult Bible Study.
Copperfield Church, Houston, TX
November 2005 to January 2011, High School Pastor, College/Young Adult Pastor
Larry Womack - Lead Pastor
Full-time oversight of all programming for 100+ High School students :: Planning and direction of programs including weekend large-group Bible study, camps, retreats, mission trips, service projects, and fellowship events :: Organization and implementation of graded small group program :: Assembled and led a team of adult and student volunteer ministers :: Formation of new College Age/ Young Adult ministry :: Formation of weekend small-group, weekday recreational outreach :: Created, planned and taught midweek large-group gathering for NW Houston :: Initiated weekly campus ministry in partnership with Baptist Collegiate Ministry and Campus Crusade for Christ.
November 2005 to January 2011, High School Pastor, College/Young Adult Pastor
Larry Womack - Lead Pastor
Full-time oversight of all programming for 100+ High School students :: Planning and direction of programs including weekend large-group Bible study, camps, retreats, mission trips, service projects, and fellowship events :: Organization and implementation of graded small group program :: Assembled and led a team of adult and student volunteer ministers :: Formation of new College Age/ Young Adult ministry :: Formation of weekend small-group, weekday recreational outreach :: Created, planned and taught midweek large-group gathering for NW Houston :: Initiated weekly campus ministry in partnership with Baptist Collegiate Ministry and Campus Crusade for Christ.
Jefferson Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, LA
August 2001 to October 2005, Youth Minister
T.C. French Jr. - Pastor
Full-time planning and direction of all Youth Ministry events, including Sunday School, Wednesday Night Bible Study, camps, retreats, mission trips, service projects, and fundraisers :: Determined strategic vision and direction for a group of 60-70 students and their families.
August 2001 to October 2005, Youth Minister
T.C. French Jr. - Pastor
Full-time planning and direction of all Youth Ministry events, including Sunday School, Wednesday Night Bible Study, camps, retreats, mission trips, service projects, and fundraisers :: Determined strategic vision and direction for a group of 60-70 students and their families.
Crossroads Baptist Church, Marshall, TX
August 2000 to June 2001, Youth Minister
David Rice - Lead Pastor
Part-time responsibility for maintaining programming for a group of 20-30 students and families :: Planned budget, midweek and weekend Bible studies, camps, retreats, and the group’s first mission trip.
August 2000 to June 2001, Youth Minister
David Rice - Lead Pastor
Part-time responsibility for maintaining programming for a group of 20-30 students and families :: Planned budget, midweek and weekend Bible studies, camps, retreats, and the group’s first mission trip.
Other EMployment experience
- Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality - Groundwater Protection Division Baton Rouge, LA. Student Worker (Summer 1995)
- Louisiana Church-Based Summer Tutorial Program Baton Rouge, LA. Teacher/Tutor (Summer 1996)
- Golden Corral Family Restaurant Marshall, TX. Server (1996-1998)
- Sally Beauty Supply Marshall, TX. Customer Service(1998-1999)
- Bank One, Texas Marshall, TX. Teller (1999-2001)
- Louisiana Church-Based Summer Tutorial Program Baton Rouge, LA. Teacher/Tutor (Summer 1996)
- Golden Corral Family Restaurant Marshall, TX. Server (1996-1998)
- Sally Beauty Supply Marshall, TX. Customer Service(1998-1999)
- Bank One, Texas Marshall, TX. Teller (1999-2001)
Mission Experience
Backyard Bible Club/
Beach Reach Ministry Gulf Shores, AL - June 2001 World Changers Muncie, IN - July 2001 Mission Fuge Riverside, CA - June 2003 |
Hurricane Katrina Relief Mission Trip
New Orleans, LA - March 2006 MissionLab New Orleans New Orleans, LA - 2008 Brazil Mission Trip Fortaleza, Brazil - July 2009 Fortaleza, Brazil - July 2010 |
Compassion International
Vision Trip Guatemala - August 2010 Coles Crossing Block Party Cypress, TX - 2011 Peru Immersion Trip for High School Students Lima, Peru - August 2013 |
Family Mission Tour
For families at Christ the Servant New York City - July 2016 |
Other Leadership Experience
Parkview Baptist School
Sophomore Retreat Leader/Facilitator Baton Rouge, LA - September 2003 Compassion International/ Lead 222 Guatemala Vision Trip Youth Ministry Consultant Antigua, Guatemala - September 2010 |
11th and 12th Grade Retreat
First United Methodist Church, McAllen, TX Speaker/Facilitator McAllen, TX - May 2011 Father/Son Retreat for the TX/LA Gulf Coast Synod Camp Lutherhill Speaker/Facilitator La Grange, TX - February 2014 |
Staff Training
Camp Lutherhill Speaker/Facilitator La Grange, TX - June 2014, June 2017 A multitude of Weddings, Funerals, and Memorial Services (Certified Prepare-Enrich Relationship Counselor) |