Rev. Redonia McKnight Thomas, MDiv, LISW
Pastor
Rev. Redonia McKnight Thomas, born and raised in Kingstree, SC, but has spent more than 30 years of her adult life in the Greenville/Taylors community. She is the daughter of the late Gillie and Laura McKnight. Growing up in Bethesda Episcopal Methodist Church she gave her life to Christ at the tender age of ten.
She graduated high school and attended Asbury College, Wilmore, KY completing a BA degree in Social Work and later a Master’s Degree in the Science of Social Work from the University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. She has worked more than 35 years in the field of Social Work in Mental Health in KY, the Department of Education in IA, Department of Corrections and the Health Department in SC. She also maintained a private practice working with groups and families for more than 25 years. During those years she served as Adjunct Professor at the University of Northern Iowa, was the Director of Social Work and presented at numerous seminars and workshops. She is Certified Diplomate in Social Work, a Qualified Clinical Social Worker and licensed for independent practice in the state of SC.
While attending St Mark UMC in Taylors, she retired to answer the call to full time ministry and went on to attend Gammon Theological Seminary of The ITC in Atlanta completing her studies in 2012. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and was incorporated into the Theta Phi International Honor Society, she is an ordained Elder with the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Wesley Seminary in Washington, DC.
Through the years she has served the Lord in missions and the music ministry traveling to South Africa, Trinidad, Jamaica and many local settings singing with a ministry team called Priesthood. She has traveled to Greece and followed Paul’s second journey and she has toured the Holy Land, including the Dead Sea. She co-founded a women’s ministry called Women of Faith in 1990 and along with a team of women provided major conferences in SC from 1990-1995. She served in her local church, St Mark UMC in Taylors as Praise Team Leader, Choir member, Prayer Coordinator, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Children’s Church Leader, and Lay Speaker. She also appeared frequently on WGGS channel 16 as a solo artist during the 90’s.
Rev. Thomas married James Thomas on September 3, 1978 and they have three children, Toni Brantley (stepdaughter), Laura Thomas, Charles Thomas and one granddaughter, Leyla Brantley. She is currently in her third appointment with the South Greenville Charge where she pastors Bethlehem and Laurel Creek United Methodist Church. From her youth Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added,” has motivated and encouraged her in her spiritual journey. She has felt the call of the spirit of God most of her life, but in 2009, she answered the call. With three words God summoned her to begin this journey. “WALK THIS WAY”.