LEADERSHIP

EPISCOPAL  LEADERSHIP

Bishop Brian R. Thompson Sr.

Presiding Prelate of the Western Episcopal District of the

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church


The Reverend Dr. Brian R. Thompson, Sr. is a native of Chapel Hill, NC. He received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Augustine College, Raleigh, NC. Rev. Dr. Thompson holds a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary, Trotwood, OH. In June 2020, he received the Doctor of Ministry Degree. His DMIN project was “Overcoming the Obstacles that Hinder Substantial Church Growth.” He is a Sadler-Marshall Scholar of Transformational Leadership.


In July 2021, he was elected the 106th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He was assigned the Western Episcopal District which includes Alaska, Oregon-Washington, Southwest Rocky Mountain, California, Arizona, and Colorado.


Bishop Thompson’s service in the AME Zion Church began in 1994. He has served in many pastoral positions: Long’s Memorial AME Zion Church, Durham, NC, Mt. View AME Zion Church, Moncure, NC, Union Grove AME Zion Church, Edenton, NC. In 2001 he was appointed to Simon Temple as the Senior Pastor, where he allowed the Lord to lead him in growing the church from 300 to 3000 members. He also presently serves as the Presiding Elder of the St. Croix District of the U.S. Virgin Islands Annual Conference.


COMMUNITY ACTIVISM AND INVOLVEMENT:


Bishop Thompson is a member of the North Carolina Governor’s Pastoral Advisory Board, the Fayetteville, NC Pastor’s Coalition, and the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County. He was hand-selected by President Barak Obama to serve as a member of the National Community Policing Initiative (COPS). He is the founder of the Brian R. Thompson Annual Golf Tournament, which has raised and donated well over $100,000 in college scholarships to those pursuing higher education.



BOARD AFFILIATIONS:

Bishop Thompson’s religious affiliations include being Chairman of the Connectional Finance Committee, The AME Zion Church, Chairman Finance Committee, Central NC Conference, Eastern NC Episcopal District, and an advisor to the Connectional YACM Steering Committee.


AWARDS AND HONORS:

Bishop Thompson has received a myriad of awards. In 2009, he received the Minister of the Year, Cumberland County, NC, Pastor of the Year (2012), The Old North State Award (2014), The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Pat McCrory (2017). In 2017 Rev. Dr. Thompson received the Key to the City of Fayetteville, and August 12th, 2017, was deemed Brian R. Thompson, Sr. Day.


CIVIC AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS:

Bishop Thompson is a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Bishop Thompson is committed to community outreach. He is a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).


FAMILY:

Bishop Thompson remains faithful and committed to his first ministry. He is married to Reverend Felica Raines Thompson (Missionary Supervisor of the Western Episcopal District) and is the proud father of two miracles from God—Alexis and Brian, II.  Bishop Thompson is a visionary who has a kingdom agenda. Some things are no longer negotiable. He challenges everyone with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “If a man has not found something to die for, he is not fit to live.”

Rev Felica R. Thompson

Missionary Supervisor of the Western Episcopal District of the

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church


Rev. Felica R. Thompson resides in Fayetteville, NC. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has always had a passion for education and mentoring. Prior to entering ministry fulltime, Rev. Thompson was a High School Business Education teacher and Varsity Cheerleading Coach with Wake County Public Schools in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is currently a student at Liberty University in the Master of Divinity: Christian Leadership and Church Ministries Program.


Rev. Thompson preached her trial sermon in September 2002, at Simon Temple A.M.E. Zion Church subsequently received her Deacon’s Ordination in January of 2006 and her Elder’s Ordination in January of 2008. She has faithfully served at Simon Temple alongside her husband in ministry, as the Women of Excellence Ministry Director from 2008-2021, she taught Bible Study, Women’s and Wives’ Empowerment Sessions, and planned many conferences to edify the women of her church and community.


She is a part of the Assembly of Christian Educators and served as the National Co-Director of YACM (Young Adults in Christian Ministry) with her husband. She is a Life Member of the Ministers’ Spouses & Widows(ers) Fellowship and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter. Additionally, she is affiliated with the National Council of Negro Women.


Rev. Thompson serves her community and is on the Board of Directors at the Child Advocacy Center of Cumberland County, and the recipient of The Old North State Award, and 45 Under 45 Leaders recognized by Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC.


She is the author of “Free To Be Me,” “Free To Be Me Workbook: So You’re Free, Now What?” and “Stolen Moments” Bible Study Series. She is a contributing author in “Embrace Your Purpose” and “Dear Future Bride: FIFTY LETTERS TO THE BRIDE TO BE.”


Rev. Thompson has 10+ years of experience as the Free To Be Me Radio Talk Show and Podcast Host. She is the creator of the Free To Be Me Virtual Book Club that meets each month for book discussion and prayer.


She is married to the Right Reverend Brian R. Thompson, Sr., the 106th Bishop in the line of succession of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and Presiding Prelate of the Western Episcopal District, where she continues to serve in ministry with her husband as the Missionary Supervisor. They are the proud parents of Alexis and Brian II.

Presiding Elders

Share by: