Our Church Leadership
Pastor
Reverend Gregory Ross
Associate Ministers
Reverend Barbara Day
Minister Julie Husbands
Reverend Dr Beatrice E. Ross, First Lady
Minister Tanya Webb
Thankful Baptist Church Ministerial Staff
Deacon Ministry
Chairman: Deacon Thomas Scott
Co-Chairman: Deacon Howard Johnson
Trustee Ministry
Chairman: Trustee Anthony Hambright
Co-Chairperson: Trustee Kelly Thomas
Our Church History
On September 23, 1923 the late Rev. Owen J. McPherson organized the Thankful Baptist Church at Eighth Street and Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Seventy-five members constituted the founding congregation. In February 1928 on the eve of purchasing a permanent site Rev. McPherson passed from labor to reward.
The Pastoral Search Committee in 1931 was led to Rev. John M. Myers of Columbia, South Carolina. Under his leadership, new groups were established including the Missionary Society, The Pastor’s Aid Club and the Young Adult Choir. On January 17, 1939 Rev. Myers suddenly went home to be with the Lord, leaving a congregation of seven hundred.
The church called another great spiritual leader and man of vision in 1940, the Rev. Chester A. Moore of Atlanta, Georgia. Under his leadership a church and parsonage were purchased in 1947 located at 1419-1421 West Dauphin Street. The next year on January 20, 1948 Rev. Moore passed and the church mourned this treasured pastor.
In September 1948 the church extended the call to Rev. Harrison J. Trapp of Jacksonville, Florida. In his effort to eliminate debt, Rev. Trapp initiated a Homecoming Celebration, Men’s Day and Joint Anniversary. Mrs. Trapp initiated Women’s Day. Many clubs and auxiliaries were formed. The church became involved in Mission at home and abroad as Rev. Trapp served for 25 years as Chairman of the Baptist Foreign Mission Bureau, U.S.A. After an extended illness Rev. Trapp was called to a higher service on November 18, 1987.
It was the desire of Rev. Trapp that Rev. Ivan B. Hewitt would serve as Thankful’s fifth Pastor. On January 1, 1989 Rev. Hewitt accepted the call. A number of programs were established such as the Sheepfold Ministry, Balcony Bible Class and Expanded Outreach Ministry. The physical structure of the church was improved and repaired.
On February 16th, 2013, Pastor Hewitt ordained three sons and three daughters of Thankful Baptist Church; Rev. Barbara Day, Rev. Gregory Ross, Rev. Gerald Love, Rev. Lee Kimble, Rev. Margaret Turlington, and Rev. Frankie Flowers. Pastor Hewitt also Licensed Minister Helena Hambright. He also added another associate minister, Rev. Beatrice Ross.
On December 26, 2014, after 25 years as the pastor of Thankful Baptist Church, the Reverend Ivan B. Hewitt made his triumphant transition to glory. The Pastoral Search Committee and the church membership selected Reverend Gregory Ross by an overwhelming majority to be the sixth Pastor of the Thankful Baptist Church.
Pastor Ross is a native of Philadelphia and was licensed to preach in 1999 under the pastorate of the late Reverend Thomas Ritter of Second Macedonia Baptist Church. Reverend Ross attended Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia where he completed a Master’s Degree in Divinity and as a result initially came to Thankful Baptist Church as a Seminary Intern in 2011 under the guidance of the late Reverend Ivan Hewitt. While an intern, he was very involved in teaching Sunday School Class and was involved with the Young People’s church, Vacation Bible School, Evangelism and the Music Ministry, and the Youth Choir and Band. Reverend Ross was passionate about the church and the people of Thankful and as a result, he was called by God to join the Thankful Baptist Church as a member in January 2013. Reverend Ross was ordained into the full Gospel Ministry at
Thankful on February 16, 2013, by the late Pastor Hewitt.
As Pastor Ross has taken up the task of being a good shepherd of the Thankful Baptist Church, he diligently reminds us of our purpose; he leaves nothing up to chance as he is aware that a people who know their purpose is firmly grounded in faith. As a result, he installed the church’s motto which is taken from 1 Peter 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Under Pastor Ross’s leadership, the adult choirs were merged into one adult mass choir-the Unity Choir. As a result of Reverend Ross being a meticulous music director with high expectations in glorifying God in song, the music ministry has blossomed, and he instructs and guides the choirs when his schedule allows. Psalms 100:2 says “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” The children’s choir continues to see growth as well.
Under Pastor’s Ross’ leadership, the first Unity Day was implemented and was held on the third Sunday in March 2018. This was a combined service of the previous Women’s Day, Men’s Day and Children’s Day services which allowed the congregation to worship together in unity and celebrate each other. The Praise and Worship team was also created by Reverend Ross and a collection of songs have been compiled and printed for the congregation in the Praise and Worship Song Book. This team serves to inspire the congregation at the beginning of the service. With Pastor’s support, guidance, participation and Thankful’s’ contributions, the fourth annual Allegheny Arts Festival (A partnership with GEGISOM), was held August 2018. The event brings together the community and performers from across the city of Philadelphia and beyond. The community is exposed to gospel and other music and performing arts. The church provides Christian literature at the event and reminds all that the church is right here in the neighborhood, with its door wide open to receive them. At this years’ Allegheny Arts Festival, Pastor Ross and Trustee Anthony Hambright were honored and received citations from Councilwoman Cindy Bass, Congressman Dwight Evans and Pennsylvania State Representative Emilio Vazquez. The church was also honored for its community and outreach ministry and partnership with the Allegheny Arts Festival, and the positive impact on the community.
Pastor Ross was instrumental in the initiation of I-Frangelism and Thankfulism at Thankful Baptist Church, which is based on core teachings from the Bible scripture - “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” (Philemon 6). The ideas are based on sharing the good news of Jesus because the more we share the good news with others, the more we become aware of the wonder of our salvation.
Most recently, the Evangelical Committee was formed under Pastor Ross’s leadership, to increase the progression of Evangelism at Thankful and community. Pastor Ross sent written communications in an effort to reactivate previous church members. As a result many are now active members and are now faithfully participating in the church.
Also, Pastor Ross believes all children should be brought to church and blessed at an early age. As a result, he christened and blessed all children under the age of 18, who were brought forward by their parents. On a related note, under the leadership of Pastor Ross, the popular “Take Five” mini-sermons were born. People from outside the Ministerial Staff who may include young children, college students and adults from the congregation are asked to speak for five minutes on preassigned topics with scriptural references from the Bible.
God has given Pastor Gregory Ross the task to shepherd his people, one which he has embraced with high energies, passion and love for the people which is reflected in our new church tagline: “Be Encouraged. Walk in Excellence. Speak Life.” Pastor Ross has made significant strides in growing the congregation with his love for others and for spreading the word of God. His favorite scripture is “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalms 34:1).
