Geno Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Geno Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund (GTMSF) was established because of the love and admiration the members of the Reconciliation Church of God in Christ have for our late Pastor and Founder, Elder Geno Thomas. Pastor Geno Thomas was led by God to be a preacher, educator, and teacher of the word of God and life. His commitment to education enabled him to fund and furnish the Reconciliation Church of God in Christ Scholarship Fund for the members of Reconciliation. He was very compassionate in his support of providing monetary assistance to the membership for the furtherance of the membership’s education. Many donations were given from his funds in the name of Reconciliation. Pastor Thomas gave out of his love for God’s people. He will always be remembered and remain a very important part of our church member’s lives.
The members of the Reconciliation Church of God in Christ saw it befitting to honor Pastor Thomas’ memory by establishing the Geno Thomas Memorial Scholarship, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Two $ 1,000 scholarships are given annually to deserving high school seniors who desire to further their education.
Pastor Geno Thomas’ Biography
The late Elder Geno Thomas was the Pastor and Founder of the Reconciliation Church of God in Christ. In a vision, the Lord gave him the name of the church, and He told him to go out into the vineyard and establish the ministry of reconciliation according to II Corinthians 5:18. Pastor Thomas was a native of Philadelphia, PA where he resided until 1992. Pastor Thomas served his country valiantly as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. During his tenure in the U.S. Marine Corps, Pastor Thomas studied meteorology and was often recognized for his outstanding leadership capabilities.
Upon the competition of his service to our grateful nation, Pastor Thomas departed the U.S. Marine Corps with honor and became a self-made entrepreneur. With his innovative foresight and keen business mind, Pastor Thomas established several businesses. He later took a position in the U.S. Postal System. Through much hard work and his tenacity to be the best he can be, once again his leadership potential could not go unrecognized. He rose from mail carrier to superintendent, and eventually to the rank of Post Master before his retirement.
In the early years of his life, Pastor Thomas was blessed by God with skillful hands and a sharp mind for building with brick and mortar. He used his God-given talent to bless many churches and helped save them tens of thousands of dollars. Little did he know, God was preparing him to build not just physical structures, but also building up souls for the Kingdom of God. Pastor Thomas was a loving father of three sons, a proud grandfather of seven grandchildren, and a spiritual father to many sons and daughters who embraced him as their spiritual father.
Because of his personal sacrifice and counsel to the youth of Reconciliation, over 90% of them have had the opportunity to attend college. Pastor Thomas founded Reconciliation Church of God in Christ in 1994, but prior to that, he worked as an Elder at Courtney Temple C.O.G.I.C. in Trenton, New Jersey under the leadership of Bishop Esau Courtney. During his time there, he held various positions such as Deacon, Minister, Usher Board President, Choir member, and Sunday School Teacher. He was also actively involved in the Men’s Quartet and shared his singing talent with the congregation.
Additionally, Pastor Thomas served as the Assistant Superintendent of the Richmond/Petersburg District and was a member of the Ordination Board for the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia #1. He heard God’s call and answered it with faithfulness and devotion.
God had called Elder Thomas to be a Pastor before the foundation of the world was even created. Sadly, on December 24, 2011, God called Pastor Geno Thomas to rest, but his legacy continues through the church he founded and the lives he touched.