National Bishop Spotlight: Bishop Dr. Woodley Thompson

Over the past few years, each Mission Drive has given us the opportunity to spotlight a national bishop in a more personal and informal way. Today, we are excited to introduce one of our newest leaders in the Caribbean, Bishop Dr. Woodley C. Thompson, who was appointed as the national bishop of the Bahamas during the 2024 International Assembly.

Dr. Woodley C. Thompson was born in 1965, the third son of General Presbyter Emeritus Bishop Brice H. Thompson and Teacher Advira Thompson. Raised in Nassau, Bahamas, he completed his primary and secondary education at St. Andrew’s School before heading to the United States in 1983 to pursue higher studies. Four years later, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences. That same year, he entered Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C., earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1991. While in D.C., Dr. Thompson distinguished himself as president of the Oral Cancer Society and served on the Dental Committee of the American Cancer Society, District of Columbia.

His journey then took him to St. Louis University Medical Center in Missouri, where he specialized in Orthodontics. During his residency, he received a fellowship to serve on the cleft palate team at Cardinal Children’s Hospital. Even amid his demanding studies, he faithfully taught Sunday School for two years at the St. Charles Church of God of Prophecy. He completed his program in 1993 with a Master of Science in Dentistry, specializing in Orthodontics.

Dr. Thompson’s ministry deepened in April 2000, when he was installed as an Associate Pastor at the East Street Church of God of Prophecy in the Bahamas. His passion for both education and theology led him to Oxford University in 2001, where he received a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Theology. He later earned a Master of Arts in Religion (Magna Cum Laude) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2013, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 2019.

Throughout his ministry, Dr. Thompson has been a pioneer and visionary. In 2003, he launched Lifeline, a national television program for the Church of God of Prophecy in the Bahamas. The following year, he was ordained a bishop, and in 2019 he began serving as district supervisor for New Providence Zone 1. Having the next generation in mind, he introduced a scholarship program in 2020 to support high school graduates pursuing college studies.

In 2023, Dr. Thompson spearheaded the first-ever Pentecost Prayer Parade in the Bahamas, uniting multiple denominations in a public demonstration of prayer and fellowship. The following year, he stepped into his current role as national bishop of the Bahamas.

His leadership has also extended beyond the pulpit. Dr. Thompson served as the national radio and television minister of the Church of God of Prophecy in the Bahamas for 14 years, and he has taken part in leadership training through Bible Training Institute, the Ministerial Development Program, and the Center for Biblical Leadership. He is the past president of the Bahamas Dental Association and presently serves as a member of both the Bahamas Dental Council and the National Board of Trustees for the Church of God of Prophecy in the Bahamas. Regionally, he also chairs the Caribbean Leadership Conference Committee.

Family remains at the heart of Dr. Thompson’s life. He is married to Verneque, the love of his life, who earned her Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education from the University of the Bahamas in 2009 and a Master of Science in Education (specializing in Reading) from Capella University in 2012. A dedicated teacher, she spent three years at Centerville Primary School before joining her husband in ministry. Together, they are blessed with three children: Luke-Kennedy, Mark-Anthony, and Zaylie-Elizabeth. 

Share the Post: