Suffragan Bishop John G. Thompson
Greater Christ Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith located at 701 Sunbury Road (formerly at 79 McDowell Street) was founded thirty-seven years ago in 1974 by Pastor John G. Thompson. Prior to that time, Pastor Thompson had already established two other churches, one located in Marion, Ohio, and the other located in Delaware, Ohio.
Called to the ministry of Christ at the tender age of 19 years old, Pastor Thompson (now 87 years old) accepted his calling with enthusiasm and the zeal of a minister "Called of God." Unknown to him at the time, his ministry would be "tried by fire" over the years, but would stand steadfast. His lovely wife Clora and he are the parents of five children, two boys and three girls. Both of the sons (a man's pride) were taken by God at early ages – one at age 13, the other at age 20. This would not be the end of the tragic events in the life of Pastor Thompson. In early 1973, while returning home from his Pastorate in Marion, Ohio, a suicidal driver struck the Thompson's car head on! The children who were traveling with Pastor Thompson that night had minor injuries, but Pastor Thompson's body was badly broken. Unable to walk, he lay in the hospital for months, listening to the voice of God and reviewing his life.
A successful businessman in Real Estate and Barbering, Pastor Thompson spent painful days and nights in the hospital yielding to the call of God to release his secular positions and to accept the ministry of Pastorship full time. Because "Obedience is better than sacrifice", he obeyed the voice of God. While still on crutches and with the determination of "David" God led him to the Franklinton area where he discovered a building erected in 1911 at 79 McDowell Street, standing stately and majestically in the community. A carnal minded individual would have immediately left this building after viewing the inside, but God told Pastor Thompson otherwise. Although there was much work to be done on the inside, Pastor Thompson fleeced God and purchased the building which he named Greater Christ Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith. He faced the days ahead with "bulldog tenacity." Embracing the challenge to remodel with a very small congregation, his faith in Jesus Christ led him onward.
Faithfully preaching and teaching the anointed Word of God and upholding, without wavering, the Apostolic doctrine, Pastor Thompson watched the congregation begin to grow. God sent in workers with the same vision as the Pastor, who undertook the task of remodeling the church from the Sanctuary to the lower auditorium. As the congregation continued to grow, Pastor Thompson decided additional parking was needed; therefore, four adjoining properties were purchased at the McDowell site. The congregation grew and matured at this site for the next 37 years.
With a mind to always seek the face of God; Pastor Thompson once again “stepped out on faith.” God showed him more property whereon he was to build a fourth work. Needless to say, in the fall of 2006 and at the age of 82, through prayer and fasting, the decision was made and accepted by the congregation, to purchase approximately 6 acres of land in a different part of the city. So, the Greater Christ Temple Church family “cast their nets” to the other side. In January of 2011, the Greater Christ Temple Church family moved into their 12,596 square foot newly constructed edifice! It is the vision of Pastor John Thompson to continue to develop the land and there is no doubt that this will be accomplished!
Pastor John G. Thompson and Clora, his wife of now 64 years, continue to hold up the Christian banner in the community with their "fatherly and motherly" mannerisms. Greater Christ Temple Church of The Apostolic Faith, "The Church of Love and Faith, Where Everybody Is Somebody" welcomes all newcomers from all over the city and the world, embracing the exhortation to our visitors by Pastor John Thompson, to "Come Back Looking for a Grand Time in the Lord!"
The Church of Love and Faith