About Me
REVEREND STEPHEN JOHN THURSTON was born July 20, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois. The second child of the late Rev. John and Ruth Hall Thurston, his ministry represents the third generation of Thurston men to not only preach the gospel, but to also pastor the great New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.The Reverend Stephen John Thurston was elected in September of 2003 as the 14th President of the National Baptist Convention of America, Incorporated. Prior to his election, he served as 3rd Vice President for fifteen (15) years. At the age of 37, he was appointed as 3rd Vice-President by then President E. Edward Jones, Sr. President Thurston holds the blessed distinction of being the youngest Vice President and now the youngest president in the history of NBCA, Inc.He is a product of the Chicago Public School system. The educational pursuits of Pastor Thurston led him to Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, where his college matriculation culminated in a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion in 1975. His post-graduate studies have included coursework at Wheaton Christian College in Wheaton, Illinois.Possessing strong family values, Rev. Thurston married the former Joyce D. Hand in the summer of 1977. To this union, four children were born: Stephen John II, Nicole D’Vaughn, Teniece Rael, and Christon Avery Elijah.On Easter Sunday in 1971, he preached his initial sermon after having acknowledged his calling by God. On Easter Sunday in 1974, he was ordained and appointed as Assistant Pastor of New Covenant. On Easter Sunday in 1975, he was appointed Co-Pastor. Upon the death of his father in 1979, he became Pastor of the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.Pastor Thurston is a very active and dedicated preacher. He is a renowned and much sought after revivalist. His ministry has impacted lives of people as far away as Africa, the Holy Land, and the Caribbean.Prior to being elected president, Rev. Thurston served as 3rd Vice President of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.; President of the Illinois National Baptist State Convention; Chairman of Finance for the Chicago Baptist Institute; and member of the Broadcast Ministers Alliance of Chicago and Vicinity.President Stephen John Thurston’s testimony remains “God Has Done Great Things."
