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 Thurstons to not only preach the
gospel, but to also pastor the great New Covenant
Missionary Baptist Church. When his eldest son,
Stephen John Thurston II, delivered his initial
sermon March 14, 1999 he became the fourth generation
of Thurstons to proclaim God’s Word.
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.
With 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. He has authored several manuscripts,
including Seven Deadly Sins of the Eighties,
A Lesson on Christian Stewardship, Seeking the
Welfare of the City, The Fruit of the Spirit,
Inspiration, Obligation and Responsibility,
and Biblical Views of the Institution of Marriage.
Among the many honors that have been bestowed
upon Pastor Thurston are: America’s Best
and Brightest Young Business and Professional
Men by Dollars and Sense Magazine (Aug./Sept.1987);
host of the 107th Annual Session of the National
Baptist Convention of America, Inc. (Sept. 1987);
coordinator for Baptist World Alliance in Seoul,
Korea and extended tours to Hong Kong and Honolulu
(Aug. 1990), Ghana and Zimbabwe, Africa (Aug.
1993), Argentina (1995), and Australia (2000).
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”.
