Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson
Described as a transformational preacher, dynamic leader and ministry trailblazer, Rev. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson is an inspiring example of what God can do with a life committed to the call.
She currently serves as the beloved senior pastor of the historic Allen Temple Baptist Church in her native Oakland, California. Having been raised, licensed, and ordained at Allen Temple, her ministry came full circle when, in 2010, she was installed as the assistant pastor and then called as senior pastor in 2019. She is the first woman to serve in both leadership capacities in the church’s 100-year history.
Committed to excellence in scholarship, she is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Economy of Industrial Societies. She graduated with honors from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, DC with a Master of Divinity degree. In 2013, Dr. Thompson received her Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in African-American Church Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
During her time at Howard, she served as youth minister at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith. Under her leadership, the youth ministry at Shiloh flourished and served as a model ministry for churches nationwide.
A gifted administrator, Dr. Thompson also served as executive director of the Shiloh Family Life Center Foundation, Inc. During her tenure, she succeeded in raising over $5 million in funding to help support the community outreach programs of the foundation.
Dr. Thompson is a celebrated author. Her work has appeared in such influential publications as The Women of Color Study Bible and Promises for Women of Color, where she also served as the editorial assistant. Dr. Thompson was also featured in What We Love About the Black Church by William H. Crouch, Jr. and Joel C. Gregory. Most recently ,her sermon was among the sermons featured from North America in Baptist Preaching: A Global Anthology, Dr. Joel C. Gregory, editor.
Dr. Thompson has been the recipient of numerous honors, awards, and accolades, including the African American Pulpit, which selected her as one of the “20 Ministers to Watch.” BET.com featured her as one of the “Next Spiritual Leaders to Make History."
Dr. Thompson is sought extensively nationally and internationally, ministering as a preacher, lecturer, and revivalist at churches, conferences, retreats, seminaries, often being the first woman to serve in that capacity.
Her mission is to see transformation in the lives of others by elevating, enlightening, and expounding upon the Word of God. She understands that human beings cannot live on food only. People need every word that God has spoken, and she is humbled by every opportunity to serve.