About Us

ABOUT BILL

I was born March 3. 1928 in Bay City, Texas, but lived in Houston from the time I was in the third grade. I was born again at the age of twelve, and called to preach when I was nineteen. I attended the University of Corpus Christi for one and one-half years, then finished at the University of Houston, receiving my B.S. in 1953. I began studying at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth in the fall of 1955. Because I had a large family and many responsibilities, I had to squeeze the three year program into six years, graduating in 1961.

I met Patricia Ann Kissel on September 8, 1949, at a pre-school retreat at Piney Woods Baptist Encampment near Corrigan, Texas. We were married less than a year later, on August 25, 1950. God blessed our marriage by giving us four sons, David, Stephen, Mark, and Russell. In spite of being raised as preacher’s kids, all of them have turned out to be fine men who make us proud.

I preached my first sermon June 18, 1947, and began pastoring about a month after Pat and I married. From October 1950 until July 1980, I was primarily a pastor, and always thought of myself in those terms even when I was not actually pastoring a church. But in early 1980 it became apparent to Pat and me that God wanted to lead us into a new phase of our journey. In the summer of 1980, with much fear of the unknown, but with the assurance that God was leading us, we cut the strings to the pastorate and launched out by faith.

We moved four times in four years, seeking to follow the Lord’s direction each time. The fourth move brought us to a place I never thought I would live - far out in the country at the end of three miles of winding dirt roads. We lived there for twenty-four years.  Then, in 2008, we moved to Beaumont, Texas, to be closer to medical facilities and to one of our sons.

When we launched out we had no real idea what shape our ministry would take. We simply asked for direction a day at a time, then tried to be obedient. And God has given varied ministry over the years. I have, of course, continued to preach at every opportunity. I have served as Interim Pastor twenty-two times. I have developed and led retreats and seminars. I have led Bible Conferences and preached revivals. And I have begun to write. I started publishing “The Scribe” in June 1992. I have written several things, such as “How to Handle Guilt,” which I have taught and self- published. I want to do much more writing, if I can find the time.

Since I am now 85 years old, I realize I don’t have that much time left for active ministry. Writing, e-mail,  and this web site are things I can do even when I am no longer able to travel. So I am focusing on them more and more.

I don’t know what the future holds, but as I look back on the past I am encouraged to believe it will be good. God has undertaken for me in wonderful ways over the years. I have discovered again and again that He is faithful. He has provided every need since He called me to preach sixty-four years ago, and I believe He will continue to do so until He calls me home.

ABOUT PAT

I was born June 9, 1930, in Houston, Texas. I went to school there including three years at Rice University (called Rice Institute in those days). I married Billy Earl Thompson after two years at Rice. I returned to college while Bill was in the seminary in Fort Worth and received my BA from Texas Christian University in 1960 after the Lord gave us our four fine sons.

God allowed me to be a pastor's wife and a stay at home mom while our sons were growing up. When Bill entered the Bible teaching ministry in 1980 I began helping with our financial support. I taught school (high school math) for thirteen years until 1995 when I retired. This gave Bill the freedom to share the Word in many different ways, as God gave him the opportunity, without concern about the financial aspects.

I received Jesus as my Savior and was born again in 1969. I had joined the church and been baptized when I was growing up. I even felt I should be a foreign missionary, but then I began to struggle with whether I was really a Christian. God dealt with me for a number of years before I was finally willing to admit that all of my efforts and good works weren't enough and asked Him to save me. After that, I knew I was different and so did Bill.

Besides teaching school and being a part of Bill's ministry, the Lord has given me opportunities for ministry to women. I taught a Sunday school class for several years and for a number of  years I  led a Ladies Bible Study in our church each Spring and  fall.

My health (essential tremor, which progressively gets worse) and other health problems may limit what I can do in the future, but I am convinced the Lord Jesus will provide what I need, including health, for what He wants me to do. He has been so very good to Bill and me (62 years together) and I just want to praise Him for who He is.