Bro. Thomas passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord at about 5:50 PM Sunday afternoon, August 8, 2004. He was surrounded by family and friends singing choruses of worship to the Lord. We rejoice with him over a Christ-honoring race well run and over his "graduation" and thank God for his faithful ministry among us. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

Two memorial services were held: one in Midnight Cry Ministry Church in Jacksonville, Florida on Thursday, August 12 and the other one at the Bible Tabernacle in Southern Pines, North Carolina on Sunday, August 15. On both occasions there was a manifest presence of the Lord. We will miss him yet there was a spirit of joy that his days in this valley of tears are forever over and a spirit of thankfulness to the Lord for his life and ministry. It won't be long before we will all be together on the other side!

We look to the future with confidence, not in ourselves, but in the faithfulness of God. Bro. Thomas always taught us to look to Christ as the Head of the Church and that is what, by God's grace, we intend to do. It is His church and not ours and He will distribute such abilities and gifts as we need to fulfill His divine purpose. It is notable that along with all the emotions natural to such an occasion, there was also a spirit of excitement among the people about the things the Lord is doing in our midst and of anticipation of more and greater to come. The race, so nobly begun by Bro. Thomas and others, continues....

Thomas - Rev. Carlton Parker Thomas, age 85, of Jacksonville, Florida, died Sunday, August 8, 2004 in St. Vincent's Medical Center, Jacksonville, Florida. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida and raised in Baker County, Florida. He was saved in 1947 at Beaver Street Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida and Ordained in 1948 with the Southern Baptist Convention. From 1948-1950 he was a State Evangelist preaching revivals with one revival helping start University Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida. In 1950, he pastored Olustee Baptist Church of Olustee, Florida and in 1951, pastored Glen Baptist of Glen St. Mary, Florida. In 1952, Bro. Thomas founded Faith Baptist in Macclenny, Florida. He also founded Bible Tabernacle of Southern Pines, North Carolina in 1953. In the early fifties he began a radio ministry which continues to this day extending worldwide. In 1955, he started a monthly newspaper called the "Midnight Cry Messenger" and it is still being printed worldwide to this day. In 1973, he founded Ramona Park Church in Lake City, Florida. In 1974, Bro. Thomas founded Calvary Chapel in Columbia, South Carolina and in 1984 started Midnight Cry Ministry of Jacksonville, Florida. In 1994, he started a television ministry which continues to this day on numerous stations reaching worldwide. He is the son of the late Herman and Edna Williams Thomas and is predeceased by one son, Phillip Mitchell Thomas, and one grandson, Phillip David Whatley.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years; Kathleen Wall Thomas, Jacksonville, Florida. Two daughters; Sherry (Tommy) Whatley and Esther Thomas both of Jacksonville, Florida. Two sons; John P. Thomas of Macclenny, Florida and Dan (Karen) Thomas of Jacksonville, Florida, one sister; Helen Reid of Macon, Georgia.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004 at 10:00 A.M. in Bible Tabernacle Church, Southern Pines, North Carolina with Elder Phil Enlow officiating. Interment will follow in Bible Tabernacle Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 P.M. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004 in Bible Tabernacle Church of Southern Pines, N.C.

V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services 904-259-5700 250 North Lowder St. Macclenny, Florida 32063 is serving the Thomas family.

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