District Elder Robert I. Thomas, Jr.

District Elder Robert I. Thomas Jr. was born in Queens, NY to the late Bishop Robert I. and Mother Mable L. Thomas.  He was educated in the public schools of New York City and graduated from Bayside High School where he was a member of the PSAL City Championship Football Team.  Elder Thomas Jr. furthered his education and received an Associates of Liberal Studies in Pre-Law from LaGuardia Community College, Queens NY a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Queens College, Queens NY and a Masters in Secondary Education from Adelphi University, Garden City New York.  For 30 years, District Elder Thomas Jr. was employed by the NYC Department of Education, as a Middle School American History Teacher. During his educational career he held the following positions, History Department Chairman, W.A.V.E coordinator, Dean of Students, SAVE Room coordinator/teacher, School Programmer and Absentee Teacher Coordinator. 

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Not only has District Elder Thomas Jr. achieved success in his secular education, but he has been consistent on receiving an outstanding religious education as well.  He has awarded a Certificate of Ministry from the Church of Christ Bible Institute in 2000, a Para Chaplin Certificate from the Mason Kelly Church of God in Christ Institute in 2007 and in May 2011 he graduated from the New York Theological Seminary with a Degree in Christian Ministry. Elder Thomas Jr. is a firm believer in Christian Education so that the Body of Christ can “earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints”. Jude 3

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District Elder Thomas Jr. was ordained an Elder in August 2000 by the COOLJC and on September 16th, 2001, he held the first service of New Vision Ministries Inc., in Baldwin New York, a ministry organized by Elder Thomas Jr. to bring the Apostolic teachings to the community.  In 2007 Elder Thomas Jr. and his family were called to the Greater Refuge Church of Christ Inc.– South Ozone Park to assist his parents in their ministry. He was appointed assistant Pastor and began to take much of the responsibility of the daily business of the church. While doing the work of an Assistant Pastor, Elder Thomas Jr. and Greater Refuge continued to honor Bishop Thomas Sr. as Senior Pastor.

After the passing of our beloved Shepard Mother Mable L. Thomas in June 2016, Bishop Thomas Sr. moved to Delaware due to several health issues in November of 2017. It was during this time that Elder Thomas became Acting Pastor. In July of 2018, Elder Thomas Jr. was unanimously voted to the position of Senior Pastor by the Greater Refuge Trustee Board.   

District Elder Thomas currently serves as Executive Secretary of the Tri-District Diocese of NY (COOLJC). In 2025, he was appointed as the Director of Education for the international Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. District Elder Thomas is married to Lady Valerie M. Thomas and is the proud father of Maria and Robert III.