Arches Grove UCC

Michael Wayne Thompson, husband of one wife, Mrs. Tracey Lambert Thompson, Father of two, Michael and Portia and grandfather of four, Jah’San, Jameer, Jordan, and Journey. I was educated in the Burlington City School System and I am a 1983 graduate of Hugh M. Cummings High School. I served four years in the United States Marine Corps.

I graduated from Elon University in 2009, with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in religious studies and a minor in sociology. I graduated Alamance Community College in 2007 with an Associates of arts degree with a concentration in sociology. I completed a three year certificate program at Alpha Ministries in 2003 which studies included Practical Christian Theology, Homiletics, and Hermeneutics, The books of Amos, Ruth, Luke, Acts, Hebrews, Leviticus, and Isaiah.

I was saved and became a baptized member of Ebenezer United Church of Christ in 1982 under Pastor Charles Thompson. I moved my membership to Arches Grove United Church of Christ in 1994. This is where I received and answered my call to the Gospel Ministry of Jesus Christ in 1998

Upon my calling, my life took a drastic turn. I was tested and tried in my marriage, health and finances. I had a terrible work related accident in December 1998, I had to have several surgeries and was told that I would never be able to turn my neck or recover any strength beyond fifty Percent.

But by Gods’ grace my wife never got ill and a two income household survived off of one income. Every time we needed something or fell short God provided (church members, family, friends, and unforeseen blessings). I could not do for myself and I was confined to the bed. Finally, I said, “Lord if you be with me and you want me to preach- I’ll do it.” My wife would often see and hear me preaching, praising God; asleep and awake. I could hear scripture and I thought that I was losing my mind. Finally, I shared with my pastor (Reverend William H. Carr what I was going through. He said, “Now we can talk.” He began to explain what I was experiencing. We started to meet, pray and to study together. Pastor Carr set the date for me to preach my initial sermon on December 3, 2000.

I became a Student -in-care in 2002 with the Eastern North Carolina Association of the Southern Conference. I attended yearly conference events and classes offered by the Eastern North Association and Conference Center Franklinton Center at Bricks, Whitakers NC. I began teaching bible study and I preached often at Arches Grove UCC. I was not formally on the supply list to preach at other UCC churches, but I was called to preach at several churches in the United Church of Christ and other denominations. In 2003, I became licensed and began to receive invitations to preach revivals (youth & Annual) at various churches. On August 9^th 2009, under the leading of the Holy Spirt, I was installed as the Pastor of Arches Grove United Church of Christ. I have been the pastor at Arches Grove United Church of Christ for the past 15 years. I feel blessed to be a part of such a gifted and talented Church family as Arches Grove United Church of Christ.

Under my Leadership we have added fifth Sunday service, and two men have answered the call to the ministry of Jesus Christ and one minster has joined under watch care. God is still speaking and  Arches Grove United Church of Christ is steadily growing and I pray that God will allow me several more years to pastor this great church and to continue to fellowship and see the manifestation of the vision that he has given me. Nehemiah 2:18 “Rebuilding for the Glory of God”.