Our Pastor

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 We are excited to introduce Rev. Charlie Thomas as our new spiritual leader!

Rev. Thomas begins his service at Trinity UMC on  Sunday, June 28, 2026.   We are excited to embark on this new journey with Pastor Thomas and also extend a warm welcome to his wife, Rev. Brenda Thomas, as she steps into this new season alongside him while continuing her own pastoral ministry with a new assignment at New Light UMC in Orangeburg, SC.  We are thrilled to welcome them to our church family!

Reverend Charlie Thomas brings more than 39 years of pastoral experience, administrative leadership, and a profound commitment to community transformation to our congregation. Born in Clarendon County, South Carolina, Rev. Thomas has spent his life answering a call to lead faith communities with integrity, collaborative vision, and deep pastoral care.

Educational Foundations & Professional Training

Rev. Thomas possesses a robust theological education. He earned his Bachelor of Theology degree from Morris College, where he was honored with the A. T. Eddy Memorial Award for outstanding dedication to religious studies. He furthered his studies at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and Gammon Theological Seminary, graduated from the Course of Study program at Duke Divinity School, and holds a Master of Theology degree from Cathedral Bible College.

Complementing his academic credentials, Rev. Thomas completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Roper St. Francis Hospital in Charleston. He is also certified by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of South Carolina in Domestic Violence and Coordinated Community Response, reflecting his commitment to safe, advocacy-driven ministry.

Connectional Leadership & Pastoral Appointments

A trusted leader within the United Methodist connection, Rev. Thomas currently lends his expertise to several vital boards and ministries:

• Residency Mentor for emerging clergy in the UMC.
• Member of the Board of Ordained Ministry, where he serves as the Chairperson of the Preaching and Proclamation Committee.
• Chairperson of the Belin Trust Board of Trustees.
• Member of the Hartsville District Congregational Development Committee.

His extensive pastoral journey includes impactful tenures across South Carolina, having served the Bishopville Charge (Springhill and New Haven UMCs), the Brookgreen Charge (Heaven’s Gate, Brown Chapel, and St. James UMCs), the Easley Charge (Easley Chapel and John Wesley UMCs), and as Senior Pastor of John Wesley UMC in Greenville, and Unity UMC in Lugoff. His civic and community engagement includes past service on the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Advisory Board, the Coastal Samaritan Counseling Center Board, and the Communities in School of Kershaw County Board. He is a Life Member of the Morris College Alumni Association, Chaplain of the Omicron Kappa Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a Prince Hall Affiliated Master Mason (Gum Spring Lodge #458).

Philosophy & Family

At the core of Rev. Thomas’s ministry is the belief that the Leadership Team surrounding a pastor makes all the difference in the vitality of both the church and the surrounding community.

He is happily married to Rev. Brenda J. Thomas, who shares his pastoral calling and serves New Light United Methodist Church in Orangeburg. They are the parents of three sons, one who has joined the Church Triumphant, and are the proud grandparents of two grandchildren.