FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Columbia, SC - Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, welcomes new pastor Reverend Jeremiah Thomas.
Rev. Thomas comes to Centennial from his position as associate minister at Grace ARP Church to fill the position vacated by retired pastor Rev. David Setzer.
He will preach his first sermon as pastor of Centennial ARP this Sunday, May 7, at 11 a.m. The church is located at 1413 Laurel Street at the corner of Laurel and Bull streets in downtown Columbia.
After graduating from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a B.A. in Religious Studies, Rev. Thomas earned his Masters of Divinity from Erskine Theological Seminary (Columbia, 2015).
Rev. Thomas is 28 years old, married to Rebekah Kidd Thomas, and they have one daughter.
"My goal at Centennial is to seek God's glory through proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, training His people, and serving both the members of Centennial as well as downtown Columbia. I hope to see Centennial continue to grow roots into downtown Columbia as neighbors to those around us. Neighbors is not strong enough. My hope is to be family to those around us," stated Rev. Thomas.
Members of the search committee responsible for presenting a pastoral candidate to the congregation cited Rev. Thomas' youth and enthusiasm as important factors in their decision. They note that he is a family man who has experienced the highs and lows of raising a family at a young age, and he has a burning desire to train his flock to spread the Gospel and encourage discipleship.
The church extended a call to Rev. Thomas after a unanimous vote by the congregation.
Centennial A.R.P. Church was established in July 1896. In June 2014, a fire destroyed parts of the building.