David R. Thomas

Senior Pastor

David Radford Thomas was reared in a United Methodist parsonage, living in Louisville and various smaller communities in Kentucky. In 1984 David received the Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, summa cum laude, from Vanderbilt University, where he served as student body president. Upon graduation, he took a position in securities analysis with J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc., a regional investment firm based in Louisville.

In 1986, as a recipient of a Rotary Foundation Fellowship for international study, David earned the Masters of Arts degree in Theology from the University of Bristol, England, writing his dissertation on the life and ministry of John Wesley. After working in corporate finance in the Atlanta office of Bankers Trust Company, a global financial services company, David was awarded the Woodruff Fellowship to attend the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, graduating first in his class with a Master of Divinity degree in 1992.

During seminary, he served on the staff of the historic Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the campus of Emory. Since his ordination as elder in the United Methodist Church, David has served as pastor of the Cave City/Highland charge in south central Kentucky and of Hodgenville United Methodist Church.

Currently David serves as Senior Pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church, Kentucky's largest United Methodist congregation. Piano, violin, and dulcimer, along with hiking, tennis, and travel, are among his avocational interests.

One of David's favorite life verses is John 14:21: Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. [NIV]