A native of Pine Level, otherwise known as the “Best Little Town in NC,” Pastor Brad Thompson started life going to church before he was even born. His mother served as music director at Pine Level Baptist Church for about 25 years, and so he was dragged right along too. He and his older brother could often be found at the church, maybe asleep on the pew or sitting in a choir member’s lap. At a young age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, a decision that Brad says he has never regretted. “Though I may have failed Him, He has never failed me,” is his personal belief.
Brad participated in the youth group at PLMBC and later in his teen years, he began to sing with the adult choir and various other musical groups within the church. He inherited a love for music, and the church is where those great old hymns of the faith, the songs of the saints, spoke to and imprinted the message of Christ on Brad’s heart.
He started his adult life by pursuing several business avenues, but God knew what He had planned for him and soon brought him back to Pine Level. He soon had the opportunity to lead the music ministry and the youth ministry at his home church in Pine Level. But after five years of serving there, God kept working on him and moved him on to Benson Grove Baptist Church, under the incredible leadership of Dr. Billy Cashwell.
While serving at Benson Grove for 19 years, Brad answered the call to preach the infallible Word of God and was ordained by his home church in Pine Level. Brad sees himself as a lively, old-fashioned Gospel minister. He says "the Message needs no dressing up, but that the soul that responds to it receives the dressing up, eternally speaking."
Music continues to be a big part of Brad’s ministry, as he often speaks and sings at revival meetings, youth meetings, camp meetings, tent meetings and wherever God opens the door for him to serve.
Now, Pastor Brad has been called to be the Pastor at Pine Level Missionary Baptist Church. For him, this is a coming home of sorts. He is humbled and amazed at the journeys God has had for him. He has a burning desire to see lost souls led to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is accompanied in his ministry by his loving wife of more than 21 years, April. They make their home just outside of Four Oaks, NC and they have three sons, Nathaniel, Spencer and Matthew.
