New Covenant Ministry Baptist Church

NCMBC History

The Thurston Pastoral Legacy

REVEREND ELIJAH THURSTON
June 12, 1886 - March 17, 1968

Reverend Elijah Thurston's religious career began at the Salem Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. In 1933 he answered the call of God to the ministry. In 1934 he was ordained by the late Rev. Louis Bodie and was immediately called to pastor the Salem, then located at 37th and Langley Avenue. After three years, Rev. Elijah reorganized the church under the name of the 44th Street Baptist Church at 735 East 44th Street. Here he began one of the first weekly broadcasts on Sunday night at 11:00 pm.

1956, with the help of his son, Rev. John L. Thurston, the church moved to its present location, 740 East 77th Street and was renamed the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.

He was married to the late Rosa Thurston. They were the parents of the three children: Victor Coleman, Gertrude Elizabeth and John Lee Thurston.

REVEREND JOHN LEE THURSTON
July 19, 1921 - January 21, 1979

Reverend John Lee Thurston accepted the call to the Gospel ministry and delivered his first sermon in 1948. He assisted his father, Rev. Elijah Thurston, pastor of the 44th Street Baptist Church, later to become the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church. In December 1956, under the dictate of the Holy Spirit, the Church called for his appointment as Co-pastor.

Reverend John continued to aid his father and led the church to greater heights. He gave leadership in the move of the church from 735 East 44th Street to its present location. He served as a Co-pastor until the Lord called his father from labor to reward in March of 1968 and was immediately installed as the proud Pastor of New Covenant.

Reverend John was married to the former Ruth Hall who preceded him in death on November 20, 1978. To this union six children were born; Charlotte, Rev. Stephen, Constance, Carolyn, Stanley and Cathy.

Grandchildren: Derrick Anthony, Damien Lawrence, Stephen John, II, Dawn LaChelle, Nicole D'Vaughn, Teniece Rael, Christon Avery Elijah, Lawrence Doresmond, IV, Sydney Nicole, and Shannon Alicia. Two great-grandchildren: Dyani Jordyn and Damien Nolan.

REVEREND STEPHEN JOHN THURSTON was born July 20, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois. The second child of the late Rev. John and Ruth Hall Thurston, his ministry represents the third generation of Thurstons to not only preach the gospel, but to also pastor the great New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.

The Reverend Stephen John Thurston was elected in September of 2003 as the 14th President of the National Baptist Convention of America, Incorporated. Prior to his election, he served as 3rd Vice President for fifteen (15) years. At the age of 37, he was appointed as 3rd Vice-President by then President E. Edward Jones, Sr. President Thurston holds the blessed distinction of being the youngest Vice President and now the youngest president in the history of NBCA, Inc.

He is a product of the Chicago Public School system. The educational pursuits of Pastor Thurston led him to Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, where his college matriculation culminated in a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion in 1975. His post-graduate studies have included coursework at Wheaton Christian College in Wheaton, Illinois.

With strong family values, Rev. Thurston married the former Joyce D. Hand in the summer of 1977. To this union, four children were born: Stephen John II, Nicole D’Vaughn, Teniece Rael, and Christon Avery Elijah.

On Easter Sunday in 1971, he preached his initial sermon after having acknowledged his calling by God. On Easter Sunday in 1974, he was ordained and appointed as Assistant Pastor of New Covenant. On Easter Sunday in 1975, he was appointed Co-Pastor. Upon the death of his father in 1979, he became Pastor of the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.

Pastor Thurston is a very active and dedicated preacher. He is a renowned and much sought after revivalist. His ministry has impacted lives of people as far away as Africa, the Holy Land, and the Caribbean. He has authored several manuscripts, including Seven Deadly Sins of the Eighties, A Lesson on Christian Stewardship, Seeking the Welfare of the City, The Fruit of the Spirit, Inspiration, Obligation and Responsibility, and Biblical Views of the Institution of Marriage.

Among the many honors that have been bestowed upon Pastor Thurston are: America’s Best and Brightest Young Business and Professional Men by Dollars and Sense Magazine (Aug./Sept.1987); host of the 107th Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. (Sept. 1987); coordinator for Baptist World Alliance in Seoul, Korea and extended tours to Hong Kong and Honolulu (Aug. 1990), Ghana and Zimbabwe, Africa (Aug. 1993), Argentina (1995), and Australia (2000).

Prior to being elected president, Rev. Thurston served as 3rd Vice President of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.; President of the Illinois National Baptist State Convention; Chairman of Finance for the Chicago Baptist Institute; and member of the Broadcast Ministers Alliance of Chicago and Vicinity.

President Stephen John Thurston’s testimony remains “GOD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS”.

REVEREND STEPHEN JOHN THURSTON, II a native of Chicago, Illinois, was born on July 14, 1978 to Rev. and Mrs. Stephen J. Thurston. After receiving his elementary and high school education through both the public and private school systems, Stephen matriculated through Morehouse College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology in May of 2001.

In 1998, while working diligently towards his degree, Stephen was called into the gospel ministry. His initial sermon, on March 14, 1999, made him the fourth generation of Thurston men to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

On September 12, 2004, Stephen was installed as the Co-Pastor of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois, thus making him the fourth generation of Thurston men to proudly pastor the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church family.

In 2005, Stephen received his Master of Divinity Degree from McAfee Theological Seminary at Mercer University. Currently, Stephen serves as the Project Director for Canterbury Affordable Housing in Atlanta, Georgia, as the CEO of the Kaptlst Korporation, and was recently appointed National Youth Ministries Director of Rainbow PUSH Coalition. As Stephen seeks to serve this present age, he is determined to "Create a Christian Community Cradled in Kingdom Quality".