Anthony Thomas

 Pastor Anthony R. Thomas lives by his personal motto, “Live-Learn-Grow-Lead!” He is a husband, father, educator, counselor, and pastor. As a preacher, teacher, public speaker, and workshop facilitator, Thomas is characterized by most as passionate, clear to understand, and practical. He engages audiences with hands-on, interactive strategies to convey messages of hope, healing, transformation, and strength. 

Pastor Anthony struggled for many years with low self-esteem and did not realize the strength of his voice and the power of his words. By God’s grace, he found courage and strength for public speaking. No longer silenced by insecurity, fear or doubt, Pastor is most fulfilled when interacting and sharing with people. A common thread in many of Pastor Anthony’s messages is empowerment for transformation across life’s many domains. 

 Pastor Anthony is bi-vocational. He has been an educator and school counselor for twenty years. He and Lady Brytish are also partners in Thomas Consulting and Counseling Services, Inc. Pastor Anthony has a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education (Deaf and Hard of Hearing), a Master of Arts degree in Counseling, a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, and his currently working towards a Master of Divinity at North Park Theological Seminary.   

Pastor Anthony began his journey to ministry during undergraduate studies at Northern Illinois University. He served New Hope Missionary Baptist Church as a children’s church facilitator and teacher for their college campus Bible study. Pastor Anthony was also the founding president of Alpha Omega Nu Christian Fraternity. Towards the end of his undergraduate experience, Pastor finally surrendered to God’s call to preaching ministry. He was licensed to preach in September 2001 at his home church, Pilgrim Church of God in Christ, by Dr. Nathaniel Robinson. In 2003, Pastor Anthony joined Life Christian Center International under Bishop Glenn Miller and served as Youth Pastor. Shortly after marrying Lady Brytish, they transitioned to Friendly Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop Edwin Walker. During his tenure, Pastor served as Children’s Church Director and later, Youth Director. 

As a pastor, he is dedicated to the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to the spiritual development of God’s people. Pastor Anthony founded Spoken Word Fellowship Church in December 2015. Working with Lady Brytish and those sent to Spoken Word, this church became known for ministry outside the four walls. Unpacking Wonder Women is an annual conference that ministers to women on many levels. BREW (Brothers Rally to Enjoy the Word) is a monthly coffee house ministry for men. Let’s Do Life is an online show about the life of Christians as we navigate the day-to-day. 

In September 2019, Pastor and Lady Thomas and Spoken Word Fellowship Church joined Calvary Covenant Church. On July 1, 2020, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Pastor Anthony became the pastor of Calvary upon the retirement of Dr. Edward Coleman. Navigating the challenges of the season, Pastor Anthony and Lady Brytish braced themselves to navigate Calvary and Friends of Calvary through turbulent times. Today, Calvary Covenant Church of Chicago is a multi-generational church whose ministry reaches multiple U.S. cities and states.  Calvary seeks to love people, connect them to Christ and teach them how to live according to God’s word; to be a place for reconciliation, restoration and clarity for today’s generation of Christ followers

Pastor Anthony and Lady Brytish have three children, Cameron, Kiersten, and Kaci. The Thomas family enjoys traveling, outings, movies, and other activities that allow them to be together. Pastor Anthony R. Thomas has harnessed God’s vision for his life and ministry and pursues it relentlessly.