Gregory Arnel Thurman

Gregory Arnel Thurman was the first child of Willard Ray Thurman (deceased), and Jeanette Dillard Thurman (deceased). Gregory was born on December 24, 1959. Of the marriage union of Gregory's Parents, consisted of three boys named Gregory (deceased), Cameron (deceased), and Shawn (Dayton, Ohio).

In Dayton, Ohio, Gregory attended elementary school and Roth High School, where he was an active and outstanding athlete. He played baseball for Dayton’s Little League and received several awards for his performance. At Roth High School, he played as a defensive linebacker and was named "All State" for Ohio in this position during his junior year.

Gregory was a true Leader in almost everything that he was assigned by God to do…

While in Dayton, Ohio, Gregory was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dayton, where he regularly attended services. He participated in the Youth and Adult Choir, attended and taught Sunday School, and was involved in Vacation Bible School. After leaving First Baptist, he began attending People Temple in Dayton, where his uncle, Reverend Dillion, was the Senior Pastor. At Peoples Temple, Gregory served on the Ministry Team, preaching and teaching as needed.

Gregory attended Central State University in Xenia, Ohio during 1980-1982. In addition, Gregory tried out for the San Diego, California area Semi Pro Football League where he was selected to play one season.

In 1986, Gregory attended Upper Iowa University, where he played football and served as class president during his freshman and sophomore years. He was also involved with Fayette, Iowa’s United Methodist Church, where he taught youth and young adult classes and occasionally preached as the senior pastor. During Jesse Jackson's 1988 Presidential Campaign, Gregory was actively involved and assisted significantly, culminating in a major rally in Fayette, Iowa, where he was considered for a position as one of the Iowa State delegates.

In the summer of 1988, Gregory moved to Portland, OR and immediately started attending Hugh Memorial United Methodists Church, and was employed by the Portland Oregon’s Boys and Girls Club. He was also an after-school counselor and teacher to Youth for the Portland area After School Program.

Gregory was employed as a counselor for the Albertina Kerr’s Day Treatment Program. After leaving this position, he worked as a counselor for Reach for Children. Following a brief period with Reach for Children, Gregory joined the Public Schools as a Behavioral Teacher, working one-on-one with children with learning disabilities. He worked as a Para educator and served as a substitute teacher when needed. While working at Grant High School in the Portland public school system, he also coached football, baseball, and track & field. Due to declining health, Gregory retired from the school district on disability.

When Gregory retired from the Portland public school system, he continued to serve the community as a volunteer. He worked with youth one-on-one, volunteered at food banks, and provided transportation for the elderly to church, appointments, and grocery stores.

While residing in the Portland/Gresham area, Gregory attended various churches and served wherever he felt led by God. He often told his wife, "Wherever God wants to put me, I have to be obedient and work and serve according to His will. God will always make a way for me to serve Him." Although Gregory was ordained by the Church of God, he believed that denominational boundaries should not limit where he could serve the Lord.

The following is a list of churches where Gregory served in his capacity as a teacher (youth and adults), and pastor (youth, assistant, and associate).

Hugh Memorial United Methodists

New Hope Baptist Church

Maranatha Church of God

Lents-Gilbert Church of God

Tigard Church of God

Friendship Church of God

Greater Bethesda Christian Center

Lynchwood Church of God

Also, with the Leadership Gift that God had bestowed on Gregory, Gregory taught numerous classes at several churches regarding his faith walk with God and was led to take what he had learned in the “classroom” to teach multiple series regarding “Parents Support Group Regarding Their Children”. The series was such a success when he was teaching the classes at Maranatha Church of God, where the Senior Pastor’s Wife and the Associated Pastors was regular Attendees, it was recommended from the students that participated in the Parents Support Group Regarding Their Children at Maranatha Church of God, that maybe Pastor Gregory should get himself on Other Churches’ Agenda so the series can be taught where Others will reap the benefits of the Class.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15 (King James Version)

“and the dust returns to earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7 (King James Version)

“For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, eve so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise First. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 (King James Version)