Thomas Temple Church of God In Christ
The late Elder Charlie Thomas was the founder and father in the Lord of Thomas Temple Church of God in Christ; which was originally called Church of God in Christ No. 2. In 1938, Elder Thomas said that the Lord told him to go across the Seaboard railroad tracks; which were called the Seaboard Highland, and build a church. This was a vast wooded area at the time and there were only a few houses there; but that did not discourage Elder Thomas. He obeyed the Lord’s command and built the first church which was a “bush harbor” made of tin, paste board and other objects that Elder Thomas found. The floor was made of sawdust and bean hampers served as seats for the congregation. The Lord then began to bless him with people who became a blessing to the church. The Phillips and McCloud girls were his first members and Missionary Cooper from Valdosta, Georgia became a faithful worker and Mother in the church. Deacon Meaty Mosley and Deacon Murray were the first Deacons in the Bush Harbor when it started, then later; Deacon Frazier was appointed the Church Secretary/Treasurer. Mother Orea Turner and Sister Hattie Wright were also Bush Harbor members.
Shortly afterwards, God sent him two wonderful helpers – the late Elder Talmadge McCloud who became the first assistant pastor and the late Elder Paul Hunter, who financed and helped construct the first church building. Mother Susie Jackson was the first Church Mother under Elder Thomas. The late Elder Sam Watkins, Sr. was Elder Thomas’ first ordained Chairman Deacon. Elder Thomas also appointed Deacon Jethro Thompkins, Deacon David Rolle and Deacon Theodus Jordan as deacons of the church. Under these great men and women of God, the church progressed greatly. Elders, as well as some of the other saints, began to branch out and start their own churches and ministries. So much so, that Thomas Temple was called a “seed bed” because of the number of other churches and ministries that grew out of God’s blessings through the church. From Thomas Temple came many pastors, missionaries, state, national, international workers and even professionals who reside all over the continental United States.
In 1954, the late Elder Robert Lee Robinson was appointed as assistant pastor of Thomas Temple and worked faithfully by Elder Thomas’ side until Elder Thomas became ill and unable to serve. Because Elder Robinson was a faithful and dedicated follower, in 1967; the late Bishop E.D. Johnson appointed him as Pastor of Thomas Temple.
Under the leadership of Elder Robinson, Thomas Temple progressed greatly, both spiritually and naturally. Not only did the Lord bless the church under Elder Robinson’s leadership, but he also blessed the Pompano District when he was appointed District Superintendent by the late Bishop Jacob Cohen in April 1988. Thomas Temple and the Pompano District continued to grow by God’s blessings and through the visions the Lord gave Elder Robinson as he served as Superintendent of the Pompano District from 1988 to 2013.
In October of 2014, after 60 years of laboring in the vineyard, Elder Robert Lee Robinson retired as Pastor of Thomas Temple. At the time of his retirement, his ministerial staff consisted of Elder Vincent Robinson, Elder Willie Ervin, Elder James Williams, Elder Mark Terry, Elder Sheldon Robinson, Elder Jamal Robinson, Elder Antoine Thurston, Elder Joseph Sims, Elder Blane Medley and Late Elder Charles Baldwin and Deacon Theodus Jordan served as his Chairman Deacon. The church is currently being carried on by our Jurisdictional Prelate, Bishop Jimmie L. Williams as Pastor. On January 5, 2020 Bishop Jimmie L. Williams appointed Elder Jamal L. Robinson as to the Interim Pastor of the church. On August 8, 2020 at the 79th Florida Eastern Jurisdiction Holy Convocation, Elder Jamal L. Robinson was installed as Pastor of Thomas Temple Church Of God In Christ Inc by Jurisdictional Prelate Bishop Jimmie L. Williams.
Presently, our Chairman Deacon is Deacon Lyn Roberts & the Co Chairman Deacon is Deacon Kerry D. Robinson. Church Mother is Mother Wendy McIntosh, and her assistant is Mother Mary Saddler; in addition, Mother Barbara Robinson is our Shepherd Mother. The Elders, Deacons & Board of Trustees are also a part of the church’s leadership team.
LEADERSHIP OF THOMAS TEMPLE
Elder Jamal L. Robinson, Servant Leader & Pastor
Lady Andrea C. Robinson, First Lady & Executive Assistant
Sister Carolyn Goodley, Church Secretary
Deacon Lyn Roberts, Chairman Deacon
Mother Wendy McIntosh, Church Mother
Mother Barbara J. Robinson, Shepherd Mother
Elders & Board of Trustees
