Community
Allen Temple Baptist Church Welcomes Their First Woman Acting Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson
As the formal search for a permanent Pastor continues, retiring Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Jr., announced Jan. 27, that Assistant Pastor Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson has been asked to serve the congregation as the first woman pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church.
This historic announcement comes at the start of Black History Month 2019 observances and just one month from March celebrations of Women’s History Month.
“As the church constitution says, in the absence of the Senior Pastor, the Assistant/Co-Pastor shall function in that role…and so until this church calls the next Pastor, let’s get behind the Assistant Pastor and support her as she works with the Deacons ministry, the Trustees, and other officers of the church in keeping this ship moving forward. Amen,” said Dr. Smith, Jr. in during his final official service as Senior Pastor.
Dr. Thompson has served ten years as the Assistant Pastor and now will assume all duties until a final candidate is found.
Calls began coming in instantly as the service was livestreamed over the internet, and the congregation cheered. Pastor Jackie, as she is fondly known, will preach her first sermon as the first woman pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church on Sunday, Feb. 3, at both the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services.
