Pastor Byron E. Thomas is a native of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Philosophy from Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia and a Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. Pastor Thomas has served as the Senior Pastor of Ben Hill United Methodist Church since June 2013. He holds a Certificate in Executive Leadership from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois where he is currently enrolled in the A.C.T.S. Doctor of Ministry in Preaching Program. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor at Ben Hill United Methodist Church where his focus is on strengthening the link between spiritual formation and missions. Placing a premium on discipleship as opposed to membership, Pastor Thomas has emphasized the importance of spiritual formation as foundational for faithfully executing the ministry God has entrusted to the Church. Pastor Thomas teaches the Six Marks of Discipleship as foundational principles and practices that support the vision and mission of the church. He encourages believers to participate in worship weekly; engage in daily Bible Study and daily prayer; serve others; give, and develop spiritual friendships. Pastor Thomas has served as the pastor at Central United Methodist Church and Associate Director in the Office of Connectional Ministries for the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church and as pastor at the Fort Street United Methodist Church in Atlanta. He also served in various capacities within the North Georgia Conference and the Southeastern Jurisdiction including: Chairperson of the Committee on Related Agencies, Chairperson of the Committee on Ethnic Local Church Concerns, Chairperson of the Advocacy Committee, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, North Carolina. He has served the Atlanta-College Park District as a member of the District Board of Ordained Ministry and as the Chair of the District Committee on Superintendency. He has served as Chaplain and Educational Liaison at the United Methodist Children’s Home, and has chaired the Board of the Interfaith Children's Movement (ICM). He was recently elected as the President of the North Georgia Black Methodist for Church Renewal (NGBMCR). At the 2015 North Georgia Annual Conference in Athens, Georgia, Pastor Thomas was elected as a Clergy Delegate to the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Oregon. He is married to DuWanna and they are the proud parents of two sons, Ntchwaidumela and Mustafa.