The Reverend Dr. J. Madison Thomas, Jr. is a native of Montpelier, Virginia and hails from a family of pastors and preachers. He is the son of the late Rev. James Madison Thomas, Sr. and Dorothy Thomas, born on Friday, May 28, 1954. Pastor Thomas encountered the Lord at the age of nine (9) and was baptized at Bethany Baptist Church in his home town. On May 10, 1974 at the impressionable age of nineteen (19), Pastor Thomas was licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ by Bethany Baptist Church; and was subsequently ordained there on April 2, 1976.

Pastor Thomas’ monumental career of preaching, pastoring, teaching, counseling, facilitating, and ministering spans over forty-four (44) years of continuous, outstanding, dedicated service; hence our need for grand celebration.

The Lord called and empowered Pastor Thomas to shepherd four (4) very unique churches. First, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church of Montpelier, VA; second, Ebenezer Baptist Church of Washington, DC; third, Gospel Missionary Baptist Church of Washington, DC; and fourth, Riverside Baptist Church of Fort Washington, MD. If it is the Lord’s Will, and if Riverside has its way, Riverside will be Pastor Thomas’ final pastoral assignment.

Pastor Thomas is happily married to the former Lydia R. White, the accomplished daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Leamon W. White, and the late First Lady Catherine A. White. First Lady Lydia Thomas is a gracious, tremendously gifted and talented musician and director, who wearing many hats, continues to be a faithful, steadfast enhancement to her husband’s ministry. First Lady Thomas is now also a licensed minister, as well as Women’s Ministry Chair, and Minister of Music at Riverside Baptist Church. Pastor Thomas is the proud father of an adult son, Jamie “Shawn” Thomas, who honorably serves in the United States Army; and he’s blessed with a wonderful grandson, Adrean Thomas.

Pastor Thomas is a uniquely, richly educated man. He holds numerous degrees and certificates, including:

Bachelor of Arts, Religion and Counseling
Columbia Pacific University, CA

Masters of Divinity
Virginia Seminary, Lynchburg, VA
Masters of Arts, Religion / Counseling and Spiritual Care
Baptist Christian University, Shreveport, LA

Masters of Arts, Family Counseling
American Bible College and Seminary, Bethany, OK

Doctorate of Divinity
Virginia Seminary and College, Lynchburg, VA
Pastor Thomas feels his greatest gifts are in the areas of Christian Education, Christian Training, Youth Ministry, and Counseling. He believes that it is essential for all who desire to assist people to develop the ability to quickly establish firmly rooted trust relationships. He is grateful for his God-given gifts and talents, all adding to his ability to successfully shepherd God’s people.

Pastor Thomas’ first pastoral assignment was to the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church of Montpelier, VA, where he was installed in May, 1976. Pastor Thomas was installed, at that time, as the youngest pastor in Mt. Olivet‘s history. He served this congregation and community with distinction and honor for seven (7) years. Under his leadership, three (3) acres of land was purchased and a new church edifice was constructed. Today, the building and Ministry continues to meet the needs of the church and community. Pastor Thomas has also made use of his training in church design and construction to serve as a consultant for many other church construction and renovation projects.

On September 9, 1984, Pastor Thomas accepted the Lord’s call to his second pastoral assignment, Ebenezer Baptist Church on Q Street, NW, Washington, DC. Again, he became the youngest pastor in the eighty (80) year history of this church. In his brief, but fruitful four (4) years as shepherd of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Pastor Thomas led Ebenezer to new levels of growth and development not previously experienced. New Office Equipment was purchased, and an Administrative Staff implemented. A new Outreach Ministry was developed which caused the church membership noteworthy growth.

Under the leadership of Pastor Thomas; the Men’s Choir, Mass Choir, Youth for Christ Choir, and Volunteer Choirs were formed. Numerous educational programs were established, including, New Members’ Orientation and Classes, Evangelism and Discipleship Classes, and a Christian Education Ministry. A Youth Church was organized. An Advisory Board was implemented. He established a Counseling Ministry for Drug Addiction. A Gerontology and Senior Ministry was developed. Pastor Thomas’ skills were instrumental in organizing community and church leaders for the improvement of the schools and community.

After leaving Ebenezer, Pastor Thomas was obedient to God’s call to organize a new body of Christ.

On the First Sunday of February, 1989, Pastor Thomas founded the Gospel Missionary Baptist Church on the campus of Gallaudet University, in Washington, D.C. The church subsequently moved to 1505 Kenilworth Ave. N.E., Washington D.C. As a direct result of Pastor Thomas’ leadership, Gospel Missionary developed a unique and challenging ministry based in Evangelism and Discipleship. Gospel Missionary’s Kenilworth Neighborhood, has publically recognized Pastor Thomas for the progressive transformation of the people and the community due directly to his willingness to become personally involved in Street Ministry.

As shepherd of Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Thomas developed and implemented the following ministries, services, and training: The Hour of Power; Morning Worship; Midweek Worship; Youth Explosion Worship; Revivals, and other Special Worship Services; Evangelism Training; Discipleship Training; the Outreach Ministry; the Youth Department; Youth and Children’s Church; Youth Sunday; Men’s Ministry; Women’s Ministry; Senior’s Ministry; Counseling Ministry; Stewardship Ministry; Music Ministry; Christian Education Ministries: Christian Bible Training, New Member’s Orientation Classes, Periodic Church Institutes and Workshops; Tape and Video Ministry; Transportation Ministry; Prayer and Praise Team Ministry; and Tutorial Programs.

Pastor Thomas is affectionately known as the “Preacher’s Preacher”, having been embraced by pastors and churches across the nation. He is in high demand, and organizations seek him for his expertise in preaching and teaching, and for his finely-honed facilitation skills.

Pastor Thomas has brought these same effective levels of expertise to the Riverside Baptist Church of Fort Washington, Maryland. Pastor Thomas became the second pastor of Riverside Baptist Church and was installed on April 1, 2007. His memorable first sermon, “Where Do We Go from Here” (based in Proverbs 3:5-6) has proven to be the catalyst for the present growth and prosperity of the church. Fueled by God’s new plan and our Pastor’s vision and passion, Riverside Baptist Church has undergone miraculous transformations which have resulted in an increased harvest and an influx of laborers.

Under the leadership of Pastor Thomas, God has challenged Riverside to embrace new ways of doing and of being. All members are lovingly encouraged to use their unique gifts and talents
to God’s Glory. Over the past eleven (12) years Pastor Thomas has provided dynamic venues for preaching, teaching, becoming equipped, and worshiping. Each venue has been created to meet the needs of present (and future) members—regardless of their ages. These venues include, but are not limited to:

• Adult Bible Study
• Bible Bootcamp
• Children’s Bible Study
• Children’s Church
• Discipleship Class
• Men’s Ministry
• Mid-Day Bible Study
• Mid-Week Worship
• Ministry of Movement
• Wednesday Night Bible Study
• Senior’s Ministry
• Security Ministry
• Sunday Biblical Institute
• Women’s Ministry
• Youth Bible Study
• Tutoring Ministry
• Consecration Ministry
• Transportation Ministry

Pastor Thomas believes the entire Bible, and stands on Acts 2:17, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (NKJ).

In 2008, Pastor Thomas licensed the first of numerous female ministers to serve at Riverside; and in 2011, he continued to breakdown gender barriers by appointing the first female deacon in the church’s history. God continues to multiply and diversify the Riverside family as, in early 2012; Pastor Thomas welcomed and later licensed the first junior minister.

Pastor Thomas teaches that everything Jesus said and did had a redemptive purpose, and that we too, must be purposeful in our walk. All that we say and all that we do must be done to the Glory of God; and Pastor Thomas’ Vision helps to focus the church’s efforts. From the very beginning of his Ministry, Pastor Thomas’ Direction has not changed. He continues to concentrate on Discipleship, Evangelism, and the Development of the Individual member toward the Edification of the Whole Body which is the Church.

Riverside Baptist Church is thriving and will continue to thrive under Pastor Thomas’ leadership. Riverside is blessed to call Rev. Dr. J. Madison Thomas, Jr., Pastor.