Moses Thompson: A Small Town Hero with heart

By Inesha Jackson

If you would have told young Moses Thompson that a few years ahead his hard work and dedication to the journey would land him where he is today, he probably wouldn’t believe it. Rev. Dr. Moses E. Thompson currently serves as a pastor, presiding elder of the Jackson-Panola District of the Southwestern Delta Conference in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and funeral home director/manager. Thompson’s journey to leadership began when he was a young boy doing farm work on his great grandparents’ farm in the rural Madison County area near Flora, Mississippi. Working on the farm eventually led him to his first job of picking cotton after school in the eighth and ninth grade with his great uncle. 

In Thompson’s early adulthood, he was introduced to the limousine business that would eventually land him in the funeral business. Because of his faithfulness, he quickly elevated to manager of the company. In 1994, ten years after he accepted Christ, he accepted his calling into the ministry. Although Thompson was a member of the Baptist church, he began pastoring in the Methodist church. 

The ministry has taken him from being a good follower to pastoring to becoming a presiding elder. He gives credit to his follower-ship for him serving in many leadership roles. 
“Remembering what it is to be a good follower and remembering where you came from and how you started will make you a great leader,” Thompson said. As a presiding elder, he is not only responsible for leading the church he pastors, but also a district of over twelve churches. 

“It is wonderful to have a leader that is sympathetic and one that will work with you to make sure you reach your full potential. It is a great thing to know that you have a leader that will laugh and joke with you, but also one that will let you know when you’re off track,” Rev. Kenny E. Bennett, pastor of Gallman Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church said. 

One of Thompson’s true passions is to inspire and help children in the church and community. He visits schools regularly and interacts with children firsthand. 

Ja’Christi Jackson, a youth in the Jackson-Panola district stated “Presiding Elder Thompson is a leader that guides you in the right path. He always encourages us to do right and put God first. He pushes us to maintain good grades and stay focused.” 

Thompson went from “parent of the year” to vice president of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to being appointed by the Board of Aldermen to serve on the school board. He served on the school board as a member, secretary, vice president, and then president. After Thompson’s eight-year tenure of serving on the school board, he now serves as a district volunteer. 
“Leaders should display good leadership, so that young people will not stray away from the home training and morals they have been taught,” Thompson said. 

Rev. Dr. Moses Thompson also has many other positions in the community. He is a member of Anderson Lodge number nine, a 32-degree Mason, President of the Canton Lions Club, member of the Mississippi and National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, volunteer at the Farmhaven Fire Department, and president of the board for the G.A. Carmichael Health Center. He has also served as a member of the Elks Lodge in Canton, a reserved deputy for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and the Canton Police Department. 

Thompson’s motto and scripture that he lives by and encourages others to also live by is “Don’t complain about a thing, but do something about it,” and Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”