Biographical Sketch of Rev. Dr. Murray Joseph Thompson 

Since graduating from Wake Forest University in 1970, Rev. Dr. Thompson subsequently graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1976 and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  Rev. Dr. Thompson has served as the minister to the Colfax Presbyterian Church, Colfax, Iowa; the Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the First and Crooked Creek Presbyterian Churches, Ford City, Pennsylvania; the Shelocta Community Presbyterian Church, Shelocta, Pennsylvania, and the Second Presbyterian Church, Pittston, Pennsylvania; the United Church of Angel Fire, Angel Fire, New Mexico; the First Presbyterian Church, Bloomfield, Indiana; the Providence United Presbyterian Church, Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Dr. Thompson also served as a Presbyterian Chaplain in the United States Army.  Following his graduation from the ROTC Program at Wake Forest University in 1970, Dr. Thompson later graduated from the Chaplain Officer Basic Course in 1985 at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; the Chaplain Officer Advanced Course in 1994 at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; the Combined Arms and Services Staff School in 1995 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  Dr. Thompson served with distinction while on tour in the Persian Gulf during Desert Shield and Desert Storm while assigned to the 101st Airborne & Air Assault Division of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  Additionally, he served with distinction while on tour with the 7th Corps Support Group in Crailsheim, Germany, and Ghana, Africa.  His awards include: The Meritorious Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three stars, the Southwest Asia Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), three Army Commendation Medals, the Overseas Service Medal, and the Army Service Medal. Additionally, Dr. Thompson has written several articles for the Army publication “The Military Chaplain’s Review.”

Rev. Dr. Thompson is a graduate of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary with a specialty in Parish Ministry.   He has written several articles about the Church and has written a book about his pastoral experience while in service to a multi-denominational congregation, entitled: Christianity’s New Model for Ministry: The Multi-denominational Church as well as his most recent  book highlighting his experience while serving as a military chaplain, entitled: Shepherds of God in Wolves’ Clothing: Random Reflections of a Former Army Chaplain.

Rev. Dr. Thompson’s wife, Karin, is a native of Clymer, Pennsylvania.  Mrs. Thompson is a professional executive secretary with experience in banking, insurance, law, and real estate. She currently enjoys gardening and painting as hobbies in her retirement.   The Thompson’s have five adult children and three grandchildren.