Drew Thomas
Jacksonville,FL
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in ministry, having served as Lead Pastor at 1st Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. Proven track record in 20 years of preaching, teaching the word, community outreach, evangelism, and youth discipleship. Skilled in vision and strategy development, fostering growth in church attendance and engagement through impactful events and initiatives. Committed to empowering others to complete the great commission that Jesus Christ has given to the church.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Pastor
1st Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, FL
06.2023 - Current
- Lead all areas of ministry at the church.
- Prepare and preach weekly sermons and liturgies.
- Lead a staff of five.
- Lead weekly discipleship groups and Sunday school classes.
- Lead session meetings with nine elders and twenty deacons.
Assistant Pastor
1st Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville
09.2020 - 05.2023
- Oversaw evangelistic outreach initiatives to engage community through gospel-centered events.
- Organized events including Santa drive-through, Easter drive-through, and trunk or treat.
- Managed 12 small groups, mentoring leaders to enhance their leadership effectiveness.
- Conducted weekly Bible studies and coordinated activities for student ministry.
- Preached regularly during Sunday services, delivering impactful messages.
- Collaborated with men’s ministry, missions team, and hospitality team to support church functions.
- Designed liturgy for worship services to enhance congregational engagement.
- Initiated first Alpha series at church to foster spiritual exploration.
Assistant Pastor
Park Road Presbyterian Church
08.2020 - 04.2023
- Company Overview: Park Road Church is a part of the ECO denomination.
- Park Road Church is a part of the ECO denomination.
Assistant Pastor/School Age Director
Riverview Christian Church and Early Learning Center
06.2017 - 05.2020
- I served as an assistant pastor and focused on overseeing the children’s department.
- My wife and I led the children’s church on Sunday mornings for grades k-6 and also organized and scheduled all aspects of the children’s ministry.
- I preached and taught on a regular basis and helped with social media, vision casting and overall church growth for the future.
- I served in this role for one year.
- I served as the school age director for the before and after school program at Riverview Christian Early Learning Center grades k-6.
- We facilitated a Godly environment for the children during these hours.
- We had daily devotion and prayer times and I put together a weekly schedule of activities and games for the children.
- In 2018 I led the summer camp which entails a staff of 8 and about 5-60 children.
- I oversaw and organized all of the details for the weekly pool, bowling and other field trips.
- We are a four star facility and must abide by all of the state laws and practices to ensure the safety of the children.
President
Drew Thomas Ministries
04.2006 - 05.2020
- Company Overview: I was the president of a non-profit organization that focuses on overseas mission trips to help spread the gospel.
- I have been to over 12 countries and taken over 25 trips since 2005.
- Through this position, I have had much experience in preaching, teaching/lecturing in Bible schools, working with children and adults, organizing fundraising events, writing monthly newsletters and blog posts, and keeping organized records of finances and supporters.
Assistant Pastor
Highview Church of God
09.2018 - 05.2019
- I was the assistant pastor/teaching elder at High View church of God.
- My main responsibilities included preaching/teaching of God’s word on a bi-monthly basis.
- I also assisted the lead pastor in all pastoral ministry functions such as visitations, counseling, council meetings and giving oversight to all major ministry functions of the church.
- Alongside these roles as assistant pastor, I was also focused on the youth ministry to build up the students to develop a Christ like character and worldview.
Therapeutic Staff Support
Holcomb Behavioral Health
09.2016 - 08.2018
- I worked as a therapeutic staff support for children who have autism or other behavioral needs.
- I worked in two different elementary schools as well as in the homes of these children.
- Through this position I have learned how to work one on one in classroom and home settings with children who need special guidance.
- I have learned many techniques to help children stay focused in school and behave properly.
- I have learned how to work well with teachers helping them run a smooth and successful class room and assisting and supporting children who may need more attention than others.
Associate Minister
Grace Fellowship Church, Reading, PA
06.2007 - 04.2015
- I worked directly with students grades 7-12.
- I preached and organized weekly church services and mid-week Bible studies.
- I organized and led many events with groups of up to 60 teens at a time.
- I also led a team of volunteer adults to work with the youth group.
- In 2007 we started out with 15 teenagers.
- During my time there we developed an amazing youth worship team and a group of 10 adult volunteers.
- The youth group grew to a weekly attendance of 45(in a church of about 300) during the end of my time as a youth pastor.
Youth Behavioral Specialist
Children’s Home of Reading, Reading, Pa
04.2010 - 04.2014
- I was a youth behavioral specialist working with teenagers who had gotten into trouble with the law or had abusive histories.
- Through this position I learned how to work with children that had some serious behavioral problems.
- I learned how to have a professional relationship with them and how to develop relationships to earn their trust and respect.
- I learned how to and excelled at de-escalating angry children and situations.
- I was also responsible for keeping notes and taking reports on their behavior.
Education
Master of Arts - Theological Studies
Reformed Theological Seminary
10.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Biblical Studies
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, PA08.2018
Associates degree - Travel and Tourism/Business
PACE Institute
Reading, Pa04.2004
Skills
- Preaching
- Teaching
- Ministry
- Leadership
- Community outreach
- Vision development
- Strategy development
- Youth work
- Children's ministry
- Evangelism
- Mission trips
References
- Pastor Barry Gray, Pastor of Kirk of the Keys, 443-350-0698
- Pastor Ray Sensenig, Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church, 610-301-3932
- Jesse Weidler, Behavioral Specialist Consultant at Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, 610-223-8553
- Bobby Stasko, SWAN LSI Paralegal at Berks County Family Design Resources, Inc., 484-818-8946
- Dr. James Miller, Pediatrician at John’s Hopkins University, 610-823-3456
Ministry Experience
- 1st Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, Assistant Pastor, 06/11/23, Current, Oversaw evangelistic outreach efforts, Guided vision to reach the community, Organized community events, Oversaw 12 small groups, Led weekly Bible studies, Preached regularly on Sunday mornings, Assisted in men’s ministry and missions team
- Park Road Presbyterian Church, Assistant Pastor, 08/17/20, 04/01/23, Served in outreach/evangelism, small groups, and youth ministry
- Riverview Christian Church and Early Learning Center, Assistant Pastor/School Age Director, 06/01/17, 05/30/20, Oversaw children’s department, Led children’s church for grades K-6, Organized children’s ministry, Served as school age director, Led summer camp
- Highview Church of God, Assistant Pastor, 09/01/18, 05/01/19, Preached/teached bi-monthly, Assisted lead pastor in pastoral functions, Focused on youth ministry
- Drew Thomas Ministries, President, 04/01/06, Current, Focused on overseas mission trips, Preaching and teaching in Bible schools, Organizing fundraising events
- Grace Fellowship Church, Associate Minister/Youth Pastor, 06/01/07, 04/01/15, Worked with students grades 7-12, Organized weekly church services, Led youth group events
Timeline
Lead Pastor
1st Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville
06.2023 - Current
Assistant Pastor
1st Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville
09.2020 - 05.2023
Assistant Pastor
Park Road Presbyterian Church
08.2020 - 04.2023
Assistant Pastor
Highview Church of God
09.2018 - 05.2019
Assistant Pastor/School Age Director
Riverview Christian Church and Early Learning Center
06.2017 - 05.2020
Therapeutic Staff Support
Holcomb Behavioral Health
09.2016 - 08.2018
Youth Behavioral Specialist
Children’s Home of Reading, Reading, Pa
04.2010 - 04.2014
Associate Minister
Grace Fellowship Church, Reading, PA
06.2007 - 04.2015
President
Drew Thomas Ministries
04.2006 - 05.2020
Master of Arts - Theological Studies
Reformed Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Arts - Biblical Studies
Lancaster Bible College
Associates degree - Travel and Tourism/Business
PACE Institute
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