FACULTY PROFILE

Reverend Doctor Thomas H. Priest, Jr., is an Ordained Teaching Elder, Minister of Word and Sacrament, Presbyterian Church USA.  Tom is currently a member at large of New Hope Presbytery, Raleigh, North Carolina.

 

Tom was born in Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, the oldest of seven (7) brothers and sisters.  Tom grew up as a military dependent of an Army soldier which gave him an opportunity to travel the world.  Tom showed early on an ability to adapt to challenging and diverse contexts.

 

His educational achievements include:

• Doctor of Ministry, Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit, Michigan

• Master of Divinity, Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit, Michigan

• M.S. Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York

• B.S. Civil Engineering, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

 

Tom has held a variety of leadership positions in both business and the church.  He is a past Moderator of the Presbytery of Detroit, past President of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC), past Chair of the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee (REAC) of the PC(USA) and served on the inaugural A Corp Board of the PC(USA).

 

Tom is founder and CEO of “A Thriving Spirit”. “A Thriving Spirit” is a ministry where its mission witnesses to how all God’s people are created to thrive as we seek to live together in Beloved Community.

 

Tom is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and enjoys playing golf with friends, family, and strangers.

 

Tom is the husband of Margaret and father of Missale, father-in-law of Demond and father of Kehrie, and grandfather of Jamir.