Meet our Leaders

Pastor Bobby Joe Thomas, the eighth of eleven siblings, was born in Jackson, TN. His formative years were spent on his grandparents’ farm, the late Richard and Sarah Walker, where he developed a strong sense of faith. It was at the Saint John Baptist church, where he attended during this time, that he first felt the call of God on his life. 

 After the demise of his grandmother, his family moved to Alton, Illinois, in 1971, seeking better opportunities. There, he attended Alton Senior High School and hoped to obtain a football athletic scholarship at Illinois State University. However, this was not meant to be, as ordained by God. He was injured on the second day of practice in his senior year, which changed his future trajectory. This change launched a career in the military, which he retired from in 1999. The military provided him the benefit of completing his college degree from “The Evergreen State College” in Washington State. Additionally, he traveled throughout many parts of the world, including Belgium, Germany, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.

It was in Saudi Arabia in 1990 that Pastor Thomas experienced a pivotal moment. God spoke to him with a simple yet profound message, “Encourage My People”. This divine encounter marked the beginning of his ministry, with words of encouragement becoming the cornerstone of his message. 

Pastor Thomas has been saved and filled with the Holy Ghost since 1982 and has served numerous COGIC churches in various capacities. He served as a bus driver, deacon, head deacon, trustee/finance committee chairperson, men’s department Chair, Sunday school teacher, and superintendent. In 2005, he was ordained an Elder while serving under the leadership of the late Bishop TL Westbrook, Washington State prelate and pastor of New Jerusalem COGIC in Tacoma, WA. Since August 2018, he has been pastor of BibleScope Family Worship Center COGIC, in Woodbridge, VA

Pastor Thomas married his high school sweetheart, JoAnn H. Thomas in 1979 and to this union, they have three children: Bobby Jr. (Leah), Jaszmine (Danny), and Jackie. Additionally, God blessed them with six grandchildren: Bennie, Angel-deceased, Grace, Laila, Elijah, Jeremiah, and a host of Godchildren, spread throughout the country.

Pastor Thomas’ greatest desire is that his footprint reflects Christ in word and deed: at home, at church, at work, and in the community in which he serves. While serving in the above capacities, he holds very dear to his heart one of his favorite scriptures, Isaiah 65:24, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”

Mrs. JoAnn H. Thomas is the youngest of eight children, born to the late Mrs. Dasie Lee Hightower Robinson and late Mr. Edward Hightower. She was born in Hayti, MO, but grew up in Alton, IL. She has had a very successful career with over 30 years of dedicated service in the Department of Defense and has worked at various levels of leadership as a Future Years Resource Manager overseeing billions of dollars annually during her career.

She has been married to her high school sweetheart, for the past 45 years, Pastor Bobby J. Thomas Sr, of BibleScope Family Worship Center, located in Woodbridge, VA and is the mother of three very successful children (Bobby Jr, (Leah); Jaszmine’, (Danny); Jackie, and six awesome grandchildren (Bennie, Angel, (deceased), Grace, Laila, Elijah, and D. Jeremiah and host of God children.

Evangelist Thomas has always been a servant leader and enjoy working with disadvantaged and special needs youth within her community.  She is the founder and chief executive Director of “In My Season Ministry.” A chat group about women’s life changes, since July 2020.  Her greatest accomplishment was accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of nine. She has served in several leadership roles within the church and community on the local, district, state, regional and national levels. 

Above all, Evangelist Thomas lives by Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and she is saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Spirit.