By Victor Ochieng
It was a sad day for the friends and family of Bishop Alexis A. Thomas when the news of the bishop’s death came out. He was a determined and diligent servant who took good care of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
In a press release, the church said, “Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church is saddened to announce the death of Bishop Alexis A. Thomas, a distinguished member of the clergy, Pastor, husband, and father, who passed away on January 18, 2018 at the young age of 50. Bishop Thomas, a child prodigy who preached his first sermon at the age of 7, transformed Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, located at 1401 E Jefferson Street in Phoenix, Arizona, from a small congregation of 200 to one of the most prominent African-American ministries in the Southwest with over 4,000 members.”
The church gave some insight about Thomas’ work, terming him an anointed preacher with many gifts. He received his preaching license at a very young age, and he gradually grew in the ministry to become who he was before his death.
“Bishop Thomas was a dynamic preacher and a passionate orator. He received his license to preach the gospel at the tender age of 7. After serving as an Associate Minister at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, he was named Senior Pastor in 1984 at the age of 16, a historic event in the State of Arizona. Bishop Thomas held a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biblical Studies from Southwestern Bible College in Phoenix, Arizona.Bishop Thomas authored and published his book titled “A Child Shall Lead Them” in 2005. His book chronicled the journey God had led him through in the first 36 years of his life and left the reader waiting to read the rest of his journey.”
Thomas was the son of Hubert and the late Barbara Thomas. He was born in Chandler, Arizona on November 9, 1967. He was married to Dr. Michele Thomas with whom they got married 13 years ago. During their years of marriage, God blessed them with five boys, Shimond, Remone, Jamell, and twins Micaiah and Micah.
“The Pilgrim Rest family celebrates the life of an extraordinary man of God. We join the community in mourning a devout, fun-loving and charismatic leader who committed his life to serving God and His people.”
The church cited that the Bishop was “led by the Holy Spirit” of God in conducting his ministry works.
The Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church called for prayers and requested that the privacy of the bishop’s family be respected.
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