Apostle David E. Thompson
May the works that I've done speak for me.
May the life that I live speak for me.
May the service that I give speak for me.
When I stand before my God,
I want to hear Him say, well done.
May the works that I've done speak for me.
Apostle David E. Thompson took his flight from labor to reward on November 25, 2024 in Newport News, VA. He was born November 3, 1949 in Brockton, Mass to the late David E. and Dorothy M. (Augustine) Thompson. Raised in a loving home along with his sister, Darlene, they shared a close and loving bond that distance could not separate.
He had two Associate of Science Degrees, one in Electronics and one with a major in English. He also attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. Apostle Thompson loved to teach and make people smile. As a talented musician, he taught music lessons and played in many bands before focusing on playing for the Lord.
He was joined in marriage to the love of his life, Lori Rathbun, on September 22, 1979, by a House of Prayer preacher, the late Elder Grant A. Woodard. Recently, they celebrated 45 years of marriage. Apostle Thompson always said he loved the Lord, his wife, and his music, in that order.
In January 1980, while making a social visit to the House of Prayer in response to the Pastor’s invite, he and his wife joined the House of Prayer in Providence, Rhode Island. Eventually, he and Lori moved to Providence and started attending the storefront mission, where Apostle Thompson played his electric guitar every service, sometimes playing for hours until his fingers were smoking. He became a Deacon in 1980, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost May 7, 1981. Later in 1981 he became an Elder, and soon after he was made the Assistant Pastor. He was anointed an Apostle in 1985 by Bishop McCollough in Boston, Mass.
The Providence, Rhode Island mission was combined with the congregation of New Bedford, Mass in 1986. After asking Bishop McCollough on the ball field about moving to New Bedford, He told him to move and “Get deep in this thing.” Apostle Thompson and his wife moved to New Bedford, and he became the Assistant Pastor under Apostle T. Perry. He attended the McCollough Theological Seminary for the first time in 1986. He returned for refresher sessions in 2007, and most recently in 2024.
In Charlotte, NC 1992, he asked Bishop Madison about moving to Portland, Oregon to start a new House of Prayer mission. With Bishop Madison’s approval, he and his wife arrived in Portland, Oregon March 1993 and got to work having services in their living room, and Sunday School at Nat & Del’s Café downtown. A beautiful edifice was dedicated by Bishop Madison in 1997, and He told Apostle Thompson to “keep these doors open,” which he did nightly and on Sundays at service times. For six years, he traveled with the General Council.
In 2008, Apostle Thompson asked Bishop Madison to go to Memphis, TN to start a new House of Prayer. With Bishop Madison’s permission, he moved and started having services in his living room. When Bishop Bailey became Bishop that year, he asked Apostle Thompson to go across the Mississippi River to Marion, Arkansas to Pastor a House of Prayer mission that was being built. This new House of Prayer was dedicated in 2010, and the Memphis members started attending in Marion, Arkansas.
Throughout his journey and many assignments in the various Houses of Prayer, Apostle Thompson was a faithful attendee; a dutiful and committed Pastor, who loved reading and teaching God’s Word; and he always shared his love of music to support the services.
In 2016 Bishop Bailey asked Apostle Thompson to go back to Portland, Oregon, and Pastor, which he did, until retiring due to illness in 2023. He was presented with a plaque of appreciation for service and sacrifice as Pastor of Portland, Oregon for 23 years by the Chairman of the Far West, Apostle A. Tanner.
In November 2023 Apostle and Saint Thompson moved to Newport News, VA and joined the congregation of Newport News #2, continuing to serve, work and play music to the glory of God. He became the Friday night speaker and filled in when needed, starting Sunday School, and opening the doors at 7:30. Since joining the House of Prayer, Apostle Thompson was a faithful tithe payer and G-Class worker. This year he was blessed to achieve the Special Category. He loved working in the House of Prayer kingdom and attended services nightly and on Sundays. Even in sickness, his heart’s desire was to do more work for the Lord.
Together in love forever, precious memories are cherished by his wife, St. Lori Thompson of Newport News, VA; his sister, Darlene Parsons of Middleboro, Mass; three sisters-in-laws, Vickie Kelly (and husband Gaines) of Kingman, Arizona; Lisa Andrews (and husband Jim) of Proctor, Vermont; Julie Rathbun-Pike (and husband Fran) of Brockton, Mass; two nieces, Heather and Ashley; and ten nephews, Buddy, Joshua, Shawn, Christopher, Zachery, Danny, Francis, Corey, Dylan, and Timothy.
Visitation will be held in Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton, on Friday, December 13, 2024 from 10-11am, followed by a funeral service at 11am. David will then be buried in Pine Hill Cemetery, West Bridgewater, MA.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Lovingly submitted
~ The Family ~