May the works that I’ve done speak for me.
May the life that I live speak for me.
May the service that I give speak for me.
When I stand before my God,
I want to hear Him say, well done.
May the works that I’ve done speak for me.
Apostle David E. Thompson took his flight from labor to reward on November 25, 2024 in Newport News, VA. He was born November 3, 1949 in Brockton, Mass to the late David E. and Dorothy M. (Augustine) Thompson. Raised in a loving home along with his sister, Darlene, they shared a close and loving bond that distance could not separate.
He had two Associate of Science Degrees, one in Electronics and one with a major in English. He also attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. Apostle Thompson loved to teach and make people smile. As a talented musician, he taught music lessons and played in many bands before focusing on playing for the Lord.
He was joined in marriage to the love of his life, Lori Rathbun, on September 22, 1979, by a House of Prayer preacher, the late Elder Grant A. Woodard. Recently, they celebrated 45 years of marriage. Apostle Thompson always said he loved the Lord, his wife, and his music, in that order.
In January 1980, while making a social visit to the House of Prayer in response to the Pastor’s invite, he and his wife joined the House of Prayer in Providence, Rhode Island. Eventually, he and Lori moved to Providence and started attending the storefront mission, where Apostle Thompson played his electric guitar every service, sometimes playing for hours until his fingers were smoking. He became a Deacon in 1980, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost May 7, 1981. Later in 1981 he became an Elder, and soon after he was made the Assistant Pastor. He was anointed an Apostle in 1985 by Daddy McCollough in Boston, Mass.
The Providence, Rhode Island mission was combined with the congregation of New Bedford, Mass in 1986. After asking Daddy McCollough on the ball field about moving to New Bedford, Dad told him to move and “Get deep in this thing.” Apostle Thompson and his wife moved to New Bedford, and he became the Assistant Pastor under Apostle T. Perry. He attended the McCollough Theological Seminary for the first time in 1986. He returned for refresher sessions in 2007, and most recently in 2024.
In Charlotte, NC 1992, he asked Daddy Madison about moving to Portland, Oregon to start a new House of Prayer mission. With Daddy Madison’s approval, he and his wife arrived in Portland, Oregon March 1993 and got to work having services in their living room, and Sunday School at Nat & Del’s Café downtown. A beautiful edifice was dedicated by Daddy Madison in 1997, and Dad told Apostle Thompson to “keep these doors open,” which he did nightly and on Sundays at service times. For six years, he traveled with the General Council.
In 2008, Apostle Thompson asked Daddy Madison to go to Memphis, TN to start a new House of Prayer. With Daddy Madison’s permission, he moved and started having services in his living room. When Daddy Bailey became Bishop that year, he asked Apostle Thompson to go across the Mississippi River to Marion, Arkansas to Pastor a House of Prayer mission that was being built. This new House of Prayer was dedicated in 2010, and the Memphis members started attending in Marion, Arkansas.
Throughout his journey and many assignments in the various Houses of Prayer, Apostle Thompson was a faithful attendee; a dutiful and committed Pastor, who loved reading and teaching God’s Word; and he always shared his love of music to support the services.
In 2016 Daddy Bailey asked Apostle Thompson to go back to Portland, Oregon, and Pastor, which he did, until retiring due to illness in 2023. He was presented with a plaque of appreciation for service and sacrifice as Pastor of Portland, Oregon for 23 years by the Chairman of the Far West, Apostle A. Tanner.
In November 2023 Apostle and Saint Thompson moved to Newport News, VA and joined the congregation of Newport News #2, continuing to serve, work and play music to the glory of God. He became the Friday night speaker and filled in when needed, starting Sunday School, and opening the doors at 7:30. Since joining the House of Prayer, Apostle Thompson was a faithful tithe payer and G-Class worker. This year he was blessed to achieve the Special Category. He loved working in the House of Prayer kingdom and attended services nightly and on Sundays. Even in sickness, his heart’s desire was to do more work for the Lord.
Together in love forever, precious memories are cherished by his wife, St. Lori Thompson of Newport News, VA; his sister, Darlene Parsons of Middleboro, Mass; three sisters-in-laws, Vickie Kelly (and husband Gaines) of Kingman, Arizona; Lisa Andrews (and husband Jim) of Proctor, Vermont; Julie Rathbun-Pike (and husband Fran) of Brockton, Mass; two nieces, Heather and Ashley; and ten nephews, Buddy, Joshua, Shawn, Christopher, Zachery, Danny, Francis, Corey, Dylan, and Timothy.
A memorial service will be on Friday, December 13, 2024 at Conleys Funeral Home in Brockton, Mass. viewing at 10 AM and service at 11AM. The service will be followed by his burial at Pine Hill Cemetery in West Bridgewater, Mass.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Lovingly submitted
~ The Family ~
22 Comments
Peace St. Thompson ( and other family members),
May God, through Precious Daddy Cunningham give you solace and strength during this time. I remember seeing Apostle Thompson from time to time during May 30th and Announcement through the years. He was so faithful, and had a kind, exuberant spirit. I pray that your precious memories of him will comfort you.
May a God give you strength during this time I love you SaintMary Myrick Charleston Seattle, Washington
I was deeply sad to hear of the loss of Apostle Thompson and I want to send my heartfelt condolences to his family and his lovely wife during this difficult time. I remember as a child growing up in New Haven, Apostle Thompson, and his wife being in New Bedford oh what a great time we used to have. My prayer for you St Thompson is that God keeps His loving arms around you just a bit longer and tighter to give you the strength to keep going on…
To St. Thompson and Family
I pray your strength during this time of bereavement. I have watched you grow over the last 40 plus years. I remember when I first met you in New York City Convocation in the 80s. I admire your commitment and dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the United House of Prayer. We love you from the Patton Family Charlotte NC.
St. Thompson and family:
Sorry to hear about the loss of Apostle Thompson! May God give you comfort during these difficult times.
To St.Thompson and the family. Faithful, dedicated, hard worker, strong soldier for the Lord. A good man, heart of gold, genuine, humble. I met Apostle and St. Thompson on my first trip from S.C.,to N.Y. mother house during the convocation when they were there. As a new member they made me feel so glad to be a member of the House of Prayer. My prayers are with you for Spiritual healing and strength and look to the holy mountain for strength.
St. Thompson you have our deepest sympathy. Apostle Thompson will be truly missed. He was a true solider for the Lord. May God continue to strengthen you and the family.
Peace St. Thompson I really had the time to enjoy Apostle Thompson on his Guitar and playing the keyboard. That gave me more inspiration by playing my saxophone with him. He always get In tune when I start playing the saxophone. Sometime he’ll say what’s the key. So I played it on the horn. And he get right to Playing. I will miss that. Thank God for Apostle Thompson. And when he preach it be so inspiring that you understand what he’s saying. He made a real plane. God bless you, Saint Thompson you had a jewel in your life and you are a jewel to him. Love you and may God bless you I will be praying for you, God bless .
Peace Saint Thompson. You have my prayers. I will miss Apostle Thompson playing his guitar and the keyboard and his preaching. What a joy I love when you play the keyboard he asked me what key you playing And Coco and I played my horn or sing it. I got a joy out of him, especially when he preach he make it Plane to understand. I will miss him. And he was faithful. You are faithful to Saint Thompson. Love you forever Saint Coco SAXOPHONE
To the Thompson Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
St. Thompson let Daddy carry you, and everything will be alright.
Sis Anjolle Scott GWH
Sis Sylvia Scott GWH
REMEMBERING YOU IN YOUR LOSS
God alone understands our deepest sorrows,and give tender mercies for our greatest needs. It was a great pleasure knowing Apostle Thompson. He manifest great quality of joy, Godliness and Spirituality with every single thing. His music, teaching, preaching and genuine concern for humanity. St. Thompson by his side, the Sparkle of his eye with the same characteristics. They are the perfect couple. Family, may God surround you with his loving comfort and constant care.
St. Linda D. Butler
United House Of Prayer
Greenville, SC
I’m really gonna miss Apostle Thompson on his lead guitar accompanying me as i played the keyboard. Monday nights in Newport News #2 was a fiery good time. His wife would fill in on the drums. His sermons were inspiring. His dedication to the House of Prayer and his wife was unmatched. I remember going out on a Saturday night and it was just me, Apostle Thompson, and his wife. We carried out service as if the house was packed lol. No more suffering in the body. Rest well Apostle Thompson. The members of Newport News #2 love you.
My prayers are with the family and may God strengthen you and your time of bereavement. I will miss you, sir God bless.
Peace St. Thompson.
Sorry for your loss.Our prayers are with you and your family. God will give you the
strength to carry on. Apo.&St.W.Swaringer
Los Angeles,California
Peace St. Thompson. May God continue to strengthen and keep you during your loss. Our love and prayers for you and your family always.
We are truly saddened to learn of the passing of the late Apostle Thompson he was a wonderful gentleman a pioneering Pastor. His musical talent was infectious and Legendary. May his family be blessed and continue to serve our Most High Father YAHUAH.
St. Thompson, I am praying for you and your family during this difficult time. My first memory of Apostle Thompson was him being the speaker one convocation in Augusta, GA. His subject was,”Why we do what we do”. I still have the scriptures written down that I share. Sincere sympathy to the family.
Prayers to St. Thompson. I really appreciated and enjoyed your and Apostle Thompson’s hospitality and services while working in Oregon. I will never forget the time I spent there because of you two. Rest on Apostle Thompson.
Peace St. Thompson and family members.
My prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. I have watched you and Apostle Thompson from a far and have always enjoyed seeing you’ll giving The Almighty God praise. Apostle Thompson will be greatly missed.
Love,
Sis. Judy Bowe-McGee
Charlotte #2
St. Thompson, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Apostle Thompson left a lasting impact on those who were blessed to meet him and know him. Your eunion was one to admire. You two were the perfect fit. May the Lord continue to comfort and strengthen you as you remember the incredible life he lived.
My sincere condolences to St. Thompson & the entire Thompson Family & extended family. I thank God for Apostle & St. Thompson faithfulness to God & UHOP. You are in my prayers. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🌹
Peace St. Thompson and family! I was so deeply sorry to hear about the passing of Apostle Thompson. Yours and his selfless hard work and dedicated service to the almighty God and the House of Prayer faith will forever be remembered by those of us who know you both. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being shining examples of dedicated and true servants. May our God continue to comfort and keep you. Please know that you are loved. St. Missionary Sandra Smothers, Greensboro Mother House.