Richard C. Thompson was reselected by the General Conference of Elders to serve another three-year term on the Council of Elders in May 2006.

The Early Years

He was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and was raised in a family with two brothers and a sister. His family was close-knit and very supportive of one another.

Mr. Thompson attended Mississippi State University and received a mathematics degree, with emphasis in science, in 1964.

While there he began listening to The World Tomorrow broadcast in the fall of 1963, became interested in the message and made plans to become a part of the Church in early 1964.

He taught eighth-grade mathematics in Avondale Estates, Georgia, until he began attending Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, in the fall of 1965. During his three years as a student at the college, he enjoyed working on the plumbing crew, in the Science Department and in the business office.

Ministering and Teaching

He married Onnie Guarnieri from Grove City, Pennsylvania, in 1967. He spent his last year in Big Sandy as a married student, and was hired as a Worldwide Church of God ministerial trainee in the Los Angeles, California, area in the spring of 1968. After serving there one year, he was ordained an elder in April 1969.

Mr. Thompson returned to work in the business office in Big Sandy from 1969 until 1972. He was transferred to pastor the Baton Rouge and Alexandria, Louisiana, churches from 1972 until 1976. He then pastored the Dayton, Ohio, churches from 1976 until 1983, when he returned to Ambassador College in Big Sandy. This time he taught theology and speech classes, served as dean of students, dean of student affairs and acting provost until being transferred to pastor the Athens and Buford, Georgia, churches.

Mr. Thompson also served as a Festival coordinator for 13 years and supervised sites in Penticton, British Columbia; St. Petersburg, Florida; Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri; Hampton, Virginia; Norfolk, Virginia; Biloxi, Mississippi; and Dayton, Ohio.

The Thompsons' two sons, Scot (36) and Brett (33), were both born in Tyler, Texas. They both now live and work in Eustis, Florida. Mrs. Thompson died suddenly and unexpectedly of a massive stroke Feb. 4, 2006 (see "Tribute," March/April 2006 United News, page 23).

Mr. Thompson now pastors the Jacksonville, Ocala and Orlando, Florida, churches and works on the Ministerial Services Team. He serves as chairman of the Education/Ministerial Services Committee of the Council and serves on the Ethics, Roles and Rules Committee. He has taught the Gospels class at ABC for many years.

Mr. Thompson enjoys sports, especially baseball and football (LA Dodgers and Dallas Cowboys, along with adopting the Jacksonville Jaguars since living in Florida). One of his favorite pastimes is reading, especially history or biography in addition to religious books. He enjoys spending time with his sons. "We enjoy barbecuing at home and eating out together," he says. "They enjoy NASCAR, and that has been a favorite TV viewing time we spend together when possible."

He says he is hopeful United will continue to be "helpful and positive" in filling "the needs of God's people and in the preaching of the gospel as God enables the Church to continue doing His work. There is much for all of us to do before God's Kingdom comes." UN