Bishop W. James Thomas, II
B.S., M.Div., D.Min., D.D.
Senior Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church
Bishop W. James Thomas, II, is honored and humbled to serve as the Senior Pastor of the historic Calvary Baptist Church in Dover, DE, reaching, relating, renewing individuals for the Kingdom and exalting Christ while serving the community.
Bishop Thomas loves the people of God and demonstrates this love through his pastoral ministry and community outreach. He also believes that the church is still the prophetic voice in the community and effective preaching is inclusive of addressing the spiritual, social and political concerns of the community. He is also known for challenging the mind and inspiring the hearts of those who cross his path and is, therefore, a regularly invited preacher.
Bishop Thomas graduated cum laude from Crichton College (now Victory University) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies. In January and August 2006, he completed the pilot program intensive of the Graduate School of Theological Studies at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. He matriculated to the Memphis Theological Seminary where he graduated magna cum laude with a Master of Divinity degree. In 2014, he earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Memphis Theological Seminary.
In May 2008, he participated in a theological immersion to Oxford, Cambridge, and London, England in a study of the life and writings of C.S. Lewis. In May 2010, he studied Celtic Spirituality in the Ireland cities of Belfast, Portrush, Galway, and Derry and in May 2016, led a delegation of students back to Ireland for studies in Church History.
He cares deeply about the preaching practice, and his passion for education and excellence in preaching has afforded him the opportunity to serve as adjunct professor at the University of Memphis and Lancaster Bible College at Memphis Center for Urban Theological Studies.
In July 1997, he was appointed District Overseer of the West Tennessee Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship by Presiding Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. and served faithfully in that position until January 2008. On February 19, 2011, he was duly consecrated to the Sacred Office of Bishop by Bishops Michael D. Tate, Michael B. Nesby, Helen S. Pradia and Charles Rogers. He is currently a member in good standing of the Joint College of African American Bishops, under the leadership of Metropolitan Archbishop J. Delano Ellis, II. He currently serves as the Presiding Prelate of the Apostolic Covenant of Churches International, Inc., an ecumenical body of pastors and congregations committed to building relationships, encouraging fellowship and developing leadership.
Bishop is a Grand Chapter Life Member and former chapter officer of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In April 2014, he graduated from the Memphis Police Department Clergy Academy. Bishop Thomas loves to travel and is an “aspiring” chef. He is married to Elder Antonia R. Thomas, and they have one daughter, Joshlyn.