Kodavati Thomas Kempis comes from a family of Pastors and Evangelists. Their godly example motivated him and inculcated in him a deep desire tobecome a Pastor. His excellent upbringing kept him focused on the Lord through testing times and trying situations, until ultimately the Lord called him for the pastoral ministry.

Soon after completing his B.D. .from Bethel Bible College, Pastor Thomas was invited to the pastorate of the Telugu Baptist Church in Guntur. He subsequentlyUnion Chapel in 2015,as Associate Pastor and was entrusted with the pastoral care of the Telugu Congregation.

His lively demeanour, his musical talents and his team-building ability have had the Telugu Congregation rallying around him and successfully undertaking the various ministry responsibilities entrusted to them. He has been instrumental in teaching the congregation to prioritize prayer. He has also beenencouraging and training the children and youth to participate in Bible Quizzes and singing competitions held in local churcheswhich has enabled themto win many laurels and prizes.

His wife, Elisabeth, is actively involved in the various ministries of the church and has been particularly pro-active inthe Women’s Christian Ministries (WCF) of the church.She has been successfullymobilizing, training and motivating the youth and women to participatein the Juvenile Homes’ ministryas well as in the children’s ministry.

Pastor Thomas and Elisabethhave a two year old toddler Trahima, who is a bundle of joy and enthusiasm, as she tries to help them both in the church ministries.