Robert M. Thayer
Odessa
Summary
Knowledgeable and experienced Lead Pastor with a strong background in pastoral teaching and spiritual leadership. Guided congregations through thoughtful sermons and engaging Bible studies. Demonstrated effective communication and mentoring skills, fostering supportive and collaborative community.
A Mission-driven pastor with more than 20 years of experience in all elements of organizational leadership and success in creating inspirational environment. Successful in overseeing community services, men's and women's ministries, student ministry, children's ministry and worship ministry. Highly welcoming and accomplished in developing and shepherding new and existing church members.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead / Teaching Pastor
Odessa Bible Church
11.2002 - Current
- Preaching/teaching(40-42x/yr), lead teaching team, establish preaching calendar, develop team vision and alignment, team development and management, and serve as an Elder
- Funerals, Weddings, Hospital Visitation, New Member Assimilation, and Counseling
- Staff meetings and monthly Elder meetings
- Oversee Multiple Staff members
- Develop church leaders through intentional discipleship groups
- Build Teaching Team
- Teach elementary after-school programs with First Priority
- Build relationships with local pastors for fellowship, encouragement, and friendship
- Chief Recruiting Officer - Mobilize the church to love God, love others, and serve
- By God’s Grace, we have helped Odessa Bible Church
- Grow from a “Family Church”(70 members/regular attenders) into a “Community Church”(600 members/regular attenders).
- Refocus Odessa Bible on local missions and outreach
- Lead a church since 2002 with consistent growth, financial stability, and doctrinal fidelity
- Relocate Odessa Bible to a new and larger facility (negotiating, acquiring, building, moving, and equipping)
- Add systems and structures to enable a church to achieve a generational impact
- Plant a church in the Amazon
- Initiate and coordinate a Spanish-speaking ministry at Odessa Bible
- Successfully adopt a church plant, along with its lead pastor, into our fellowship
Minister of Outreach
Parkway Hills Baptist Church
01.1996 - 12.1999
- Licensed by SBC Congregation
- Promote and execute outreach strategies to expand the church’s reach into the community
- Develop an assimilation process for new families
- Oversee a variety of committees geared towards outreach (Parking, Greeting, Visitation, Ushers)
- Oversee evangelism efforts from courses to special events
- Assist in Sunday school promotion
- Help manage logistical building issues
- Assist in developing the Men’s Ministry
Education
DedMin - emphasis marriage and family
Dallas Theological Seminary
01.2025
Credentialed - undefined
EFCA National
01.2024
Masters of Theology - undefined
Dallas Theological Seminary
01.2000
B.A. - Pastoral Ministries
San Diego Bible College
01.1993
Skills
- Preaching/Teaching
- Casting and Executing vision
- Authentic
- High emotional IQ
- Pastoral care
- Discipleship training
- Grief counseling
- Pastoral counseling
- Organizational leadership
- Spiritual leadership
- Preaching
- Biblically based
- Sermon preparation
- Teaching
- Leadership development
- Congregational care
- Staff leadership
- Strategic planning
- Shepherding
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Organizational skills
- Self motivation
- Interpersonal skills
- Conflict resolution
Timeline
Lead / Teaching Pastor
Odessa Bible Church
11.2002 - Current
Minister of Outreach
Parkway Hills Baptist Church
01.1996 - 12.1999
Credentialed - undefined
EFCA National
Masters of Theology - undefined
Dallas Theological Seminary
B.A. - Pastoral Ministries
San Diego Bible College
DedMin - emphasis marriage and family
Dallas Theological Seminary
Hobbies / Interests outside of Ministry
I enjoy spending time with my family, working with my hands, reading biographies of leaders, playing catch and watching baseball. One day, I’ll play golf again. I love to be outside building something, growing something, or fixing something.
Community Involvement
2023, Present, Elected officer for Ector County Independent School District, Board member of “Amy Bells Sports Complex”, Board member of Jim Parker Little League - 2016-2021, Hospital and Police Chaplain
More information
- Church Website - https://www.odessabible.org
- Resent Sermon Series - https://shorturl.at/O34YB