OUR PASTORS
Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr.
Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr. has served as the pastor of the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland since 1975. Under his leadership, the church body has grown from 200 to more than 7,000 active members. On October 16, 2010, a vision was fulfilled as the New Psalmist family moved into their new edifice, a 4000 seat state of the art facility, designed to minister to the needs of individuals in the 21st century. This new church home is a testimony of God’s faithfulness.
Under the anointed leadership of the late Dr. Harold Carter, Pastor of the New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore, Bishop Thomas was called to proclaim the Word of God in 1973. In 1975, he was called to the pastorate of the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, where he has labored for over forty five years.
Bishop Thomas has developed programs of evangelism, mission and education. Christian education classes that include discipleship training and bible study meet six days a week. Worship services are held weekly every Sunday at 9am. The church also has a broadcast, “Empowering Disciples”, Sunday morning at 6am on WJZ TV in Baltimore.
Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr. is highly regarded executive and personal coach with over 30 years of experience in working with church leaders, pastors, church staffs, and building effective ministry teams. Bishop Thomas is a Myers Briggs Practitioner certified in MBTI assessments and interpretations. He has led workshops and seminars across the country on preparing leaders for their next level. He has served as an advisor to leaders who were seeking to make changes in their organizations and has helped them develop strategies to be successful in their efforts. His warm and affable spirit is matched by his ability to ask deep probing questions that enable his clients to see directions they might take.
Bishop Thomas is known as a Pastor’s Pastor. He truly has a Pastor’s heart and makes himself available as a mentor and source of strength for other Pastors. On January 31, 2005 at the New Psalmist Baptist Church 28 sons and daughters of the Church, who Pastor churches across the nation gathered and voted unanimously to elect Bishop Thomas as President of Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors as well as to the office of Bishop.
On July 20, 2005, Bishop Thomas was elevated to the office of Bishop and Presiding Prelate of The Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors. This historical occasion was held at the First Mariner Arena in front of over 10,000 people. The Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors is an established association consisting of men and women who have been influenced by the ministry of New Psalmist Baptist Church and Bishop Thomas.
In addition to providing pastoral leadership to the New Psalmist Baptist Church, Bishop Thomas has served as the past president of the Hampton University Minister’s Conference 1999-2002. Under his leadership, conference attendance doubled. Bishop Thomas is also a well- known author. He is author of the books Spiritual Navigation for the 21st Century and Good Meat Makes its Own Gravy. Furthermore, Bishop Thomas is the editor of Outstanding Black Sermons Volume 4 in which he is featured as one of the contributors.
On March 1, 2017, Bishop Thomas released his highly-anticipated fourth book, Hanging On By a Thread. A personal account of Bishop Thomas’ own struggles with leadership and trying to juggle work and home life, Hanging On By a Thread unveils the THREAD Principle. Developed by Bishop Thomas himself, the principle outlines practical steps to restore balance to people’s lives.
Bishop Thomas received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland in Economics. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Religion in Washington, D.C. and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Saint Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to his earned degrees, Bishop Thomas was bestowed with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Virginia Seminary and Bethune Cookman College. Bishop Thomas and his committed partner in ministry, Patricia, have three lovely children, Joi, Walter Jr., and Joshua.
Rev. Dr. Walter S. Thomas, Jr .
Dr. Walter Scott Thomas, Jr. is a living testament to the principle of leading by example, not only through words but also through actions.
In August 2023, Dr. Thomas was elected as the esteemed Pastor-Elect of New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD, marking a significant chapter in his dedicated service to the church and the community.
His spiritual journey began in 2001 when he answered the call to preach the gospel. The sacred grounds of New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD, served as the hallowed space where he delivered his inaugural sermon under the spiritual guidance of his father and pastor, Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr. In 2007, he was ordained into the ministry, marking a pivotal moment in his divine calling.
Education has been a cornerstone of Dr. Thomas’s journey, underpinning his commitment to intellectual rigor and spiritual growth. He graduated Cum Laude from Morehouse College, majoring in Religious Studies with a minor in Psychology. His academic prowess was evident as he emerged as the top-ranking senior in his major department. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for his continued pursuit of knowledge and service.
Furthering his theological education, Dr. Thomas earned his Master of Divinity Degree from Howard University School of Divinity, where he distinguished himself as a Lilly Foundation Fellow and Dean Evans Crawford Scholar. His contributions extended beyond academics, as he served as a Graduate Assistant at the historic Andrew Rankin Chapel, imprinting his mark on the spiritual fabric of the institution.
In 2023, Dr. Thomas reached a high point of academic achievement, earning his Doctor of Ministry degree from the esteemed United Theological Seminary. His doctoral research delved into “Effective Leadership for Creative Ministry in the Post-Modern Generation,” culminating in a dissertation focused on “Developing Lay Leaders for Transitional Leadership.”
Dr. Thomas’s profound impact extends beyond academia into the fabric of his pastoral leadership. In 2014, Dr. Thomas became the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Steelton in Harrisburg, PA. The congregation experienced growth through his visionary leadership. He oversaw church operations, while spearheading transformative initiatives and modernizing departments. Dr. Thomas also led the church through a comprehensive roofing project and began the Legacy Capital Campaign to move the church toward financial freedom.
Dr. Thomas’s multifaceted skills and extensive leadership activities culminated in his appointments and engagements across esteemed platforms such as the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, presenting at renowned conferences like the Charles E. Booth Preaching Conference, and serving in pivotal leadership roles for various organizations and institutes.
Balancing his pastoral duties and community engagement, Dr. Thomas finds solace and strength in his personal life. He is married to Mrs. Jarrette L. Thomas, and together, they nurture their two cherished children, Lillian Grace and Walter, III.
With an unwavering spirit of excellence and a heart steadfast in serving God and humanity, Dr. Walter Scott Thomas, Jr. continues to inspire and uplift lives through his ministry, service, and visionary leadership.
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