Bio

for Kevin Thomas

Kevin (or officially Rev. Kevin M. Thomas) was called to be the pastor of Barnett Road Baptist Church (BRBC) in 2007. He began his tenure at BRBC August 1, 2007. He has taught systematic theology and narrative preaching for the Eastern Union Bible College. Prior to accepting the call to Barnett Road he partnered with the Southern Baptist Convention in early 2000 to plant The House of Prayer Worship Center (A Baptist Church) in Columbus. The Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association ordained him as a deacon at the age of 26 and 10 years later as a minister. His wife Jowanda was also a deaconess. He earned his Master of Theology (Th.M.) from Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating with honors in 1999, and his Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) from The Ohio State University in 1986. Since 2003 he has mentored pastors from across Canada and the United States for Ashland Theological Seminary for the Pastors of Excellence (PoE) program. He serves as a member of the PoE leadership team and sits on the PoE curriculum review team in Ashland. Through the Sandberg Leadership Center he lectures to leaders of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He has served on the board of directors for the Ohio African American Fellowship with the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio (SCBO), the Resolution Committee, the state Mission Council, Executive Committee, and as the chairman of church planting for the SCBO. He served as vice-moderator of the Metro Columbus Baptist Association in 2008 and two terms as moderator in 2009 and 2010. During his tenure as moderator he helped serve 95 churches in Central Ohio. He is also a member of the Baptist Pastors Conference of Columbus and Vicinity.
 
During his seminary years in Dallas, Texas he and his family were members of Concord Missionary Baptist Church, the late Rev. Dr. E.K. Bailey, pastor; Emmanuel Fellowship Church; the late Rev. A. E. Royal, Sr., pastor; and Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dr. Tony Evans, pastor where he served on staff before returning to Columbus. While attending Dallas Theological Seminary he served as a chaplain on the student council and as president of the Black Student Fellowship.
 
Before answering the call to preach Rev. and Mrs. Thomas enjoyed a measure of success in their chosen fields until they gave up their careers when he enrolled in seminary in 1995 to pursue full-time ministry. He is a former corporate officer of the former Bank One Ohio Corporation and an ex-bank examiner with the United States Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). 
 
In 1989 Kevin married Jowanda Thomas (formerly Cockrum). Both he and his wife have been listed separately in Who’s Who in America. She is the mother of their three children (Joshua, Kristin and Jonathan), a breast cancer survivor, and a licensed social worker who earned her Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.) from The Ohio State University and her Bachelor’s of Social Work (B.S.W.) from Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia, graduating from both schools with honors. She is a former director of Black Family Connections, an adoption agency under Franklin County Children Services and a service coordinator for Mount Carmel Health Systems working with young or inexperienced parents and their babies. She is an outstanding women’s and children’s Bible teacher and loves singing Gospel music. 
 

Kevin’s life and ministry goal is simple, to impact the world for Christ and glorify God while doing it. He lives to know the Lord better while leading his family and others into God’s presence by introducing them to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. He enjoy writing, water parks, sports, dogs, reading, and cookouts with friends.  He and his family live in Canal Winchester, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio.  Stop by his church to say hello.

 


Rev. Kevin M. Thomas, BSBA, ThM
Pastor, Lecturer
 

Personal Values

  • Authentic Righteousness
     
  • Biblical Stewardship
     
  • Biblical Wisdom
     
  • Christian Unity
     
  • Effective Faithfulness
     
  • Godly Laughter
    (Joy of the Lord as my strength)
     
  • Innovative Methods
    (Always Striving to Improve)
     
  • Love of God
    (Loving & Lovable)
     
  • Loyal Relationships
     
  • Ministry Competence
     
  • Relevant Compassion