Preacher Bio:
Pastor Heidi Nurene Thomas is a very passionate preacher. She loves preaching the Word and sharing the interpretation with others. She has been serving her first congregation Bethel United Methodist Church, “The Lighthouse at the Corner” for almost five years and in June 2021 appointed to serve as well Bushwick Parish United Methodist Church, Brooklyn NY, She loves helping others to see the love and light of Christ in the church and throughout the community with her energetic spirit and her appreciation of life. Most notable among her characteristics is that she is able to make everyone in her immediate surrounding smile by her throaty boisterous laugh. As she prepares for ordination she continues to work as a Staff Accountant at a major teaching hospital in New York City.
Born in Jamaica, West Indies. Pastor Thomas’ love for God began when she attended Sunday school, participated in youth activities and bible study programs. It was while attending a youth retreat in Kingston, Jamaica that Pastor Thomas accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. She attended Campion College High School in Kingston, Jamaica then migrated to the United States in 1990 whereupon she completed her High School studies at New Utrecht High School graduating in 1993. She pursued higher education at the State University of New York, Albany where she graduated in 1997 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Economics. Pastor Thomas worked for a period of time in banking and for a Japanese airline before going on to further her education at The New School in New York City where she earned a Master’s of Science degree in Human Resources Management in 2002.
Pastor Thomas heard the call to ministry while serving as a Lay Servant at Fenimore Street United Methodist Church. After preaching on one of the Youth Sundays at Fenimore, she heard the call in earnest and experienced a deep conviction in her heart that God was calling her to ministry. Pastor Thomas pursued her calling and enrolled in New York Theological Seminary where she graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 2017. She was ordained as a Provisional Elder of the New York Annual Conference in June, 2021 and is currently in the process for ordination as an Elder.
Pastor Thomas enjoys dancing, walking, singing, reading and traveling. One of her favorite scriptures is “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4). Her ultimate desire is totally surrender to God’s perfect will for her life, hence fulfilling her purpose in the Kingdom of God.