Welcome to Rev. Dr. Da’Henri R. Thurmond’s campaign for Bishop in 2026. Trustworthiness is at the core of our values and leadership. With a track record of integrity and transparency, Rev. Thurmond has earned the trust of our community through his unwavering commitment to serving with honesty and reliability. As your Bishop, you can trust that Rev. Thurmond will uphold the highest ethical standards, prioritize the needs of the congregation, and lead with integrity every step of the way.
This trust in Rev. Dr. Thurmond is reflected in his selection as a member of the Joint Board of Finance for the Central Georgia Region of the CME Church for the past for the past 15 years and Chair for the last 5 years, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance at the General Conference of the CME Church in 2022 held in Cincinnati, Ohio and a member of that committee for the last three General Conferences, member of the Board of Directors for Carver State Bank in Savannah, Georgia, member of the Board of Trustees of the St.Joseph/Candler Hospital System and Chair of the Professional Relations Committee.
As your Bishop, you can trust Rev. Dr. Thurmond will uphold the highest ethical standards, prioritize the needs of the church (rather than congregation) and lead with integrity every step of the way.
At Rev. Dr. Da’Henri R. Thurmond’s campaign for Bishop in 2026, hard work is our hallmark. Rev. Dr. Thurmond is dedicated to rolling up his sleeves and putting in the effort needed to make a difference in the lives of the church and community.
Rev. Dr. Thurmond’s consistency as a hard worker is evidenced by his 16 years of pastoral leadership at St. Paul, service as a panelist for C-ME Grow for the last 7 seasons (a ministry of the General Department of Evangelism and Missions), two year term as Co-President of the Savannah Area Interfaith Justice Ministry, eight years of leadership with the Savannah Pastors Alliance and mentor at Hubert Middle School.
With a tireless work ethic and a passion for service, Rev. Thurmond will work tirelessly to address the challenges facing our church, advocate for those in need, and foster a spirit of unity and growth within the church.
Join Rev. Dr. Da’Henri R. Thurmond’s campaign for Bishop in 2026 and embrace a spirit of innovation. Rev. Thurmond is committed to bringing fresh ideas and creative solutions to the table, ensuring that our church remains dynamic and relevant in an ever-changing world. With a forward-thinking mindset and a willingness to explore new possibilities, Rev. Thurmond will lead our congregation into the future with confidence and vision.
His innovative mindset has led him to lead St. Paul in fully automating its financial systems, smoothly integrating technology into the worship experience and providing opportunities for digital discipleship.
Rev. Da’Henri R. Thurmond’s campaign for Bishop in 2026 is guided by a skilled navigator. Rev. Thurmond possesses the insight, wisdom, and experience needed to navigate the complexities of church leadership with grace and clarity. With a deep understanding of our church’s needs and aspirations, Rev. Thurmond will chart a course that reflects our shared values, fosters unity, and guides us towards a brighter future together.
During the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, he led St. Paul in creating a daily safe space for public school children to attend their classes virtually while the parents and guardians had to work but other physical locations were closed because of the spread of the virus. While many churches closed or reduced their service to the community, St. Paul remained steadfast and continued its work and witness.
Rev. Dr. Da’Henri R. Thurmond’s campaign for bishop in 2026 is anchored in knowledge and expertise. Rev. Dr. Thurmond brings a wealth of experience and insight to the table, drawing upon years of service and a deep understanding of church doctrine and leadership. With a commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth, Rev. Dr. Thurmond stays informed and engaged, ensuring that he is equipped to address the challenges and opportunities facing our congregation with wisdom and discernment.
His depth of knowledge draws upon his matriculation at institutions of higher learning including the Medical College of Georgia, the Interdenominational Theological Center, United Theological Seminary, work in corporate America as a bi-vocational pastor and most importantly his lifetime of service in the CME Church.
Serving with Purpose, inspired by Acts 13:36, embodies the unwavering commitment of Rev. Dr. Da’Henri R. Thurmond to lead with trustworthiness, hard work, innovation, navigability, and knowledge. Grounded in the belief that every action should serve a greater purpose, Rev. Thurmond’s leadership is characterized by a profound sense of mission and service. Through his tireless efforts and steadfast devotion to the congregation, Rev. Thurmond seeks to honor the legacy of purpose-driven leadership established in Acts 13:36, enriching the lives of others and strengthening the community as a whole.
COMING SOON
Da’Henri R. Thurmond, Sr. is a native of Augusta, Georgia. He is the third of four children born to the late Mr. Earl H. Thurmond, Sr. and the late Maxine W. Thurmond. He received his early education in the Richmond County, Georgia public school system and is a graduate of Westside Comprehensive High School. He attended and graduated from Georgia Southern University where he was inducted into the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society. He is a magna cum laude graduate of the Medical College of Georgia where he was inducted into the IMHOTEP society as well as Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities with a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy. His scholastic pursuits continued and he graduated magna cum laude from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Phillips School of Theology, with a Masters in Divinity. He received the Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt Scholarship and the Isaac B. Clark Preaching Award while at ITC. He then earned the Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio where his area of concentration was Developing Leadership for Effective Programming in the Post-Modern Generation. He studied under Bishop Sir Walter Mack and Dr. Herbert Miller, Jr.
Pastor Thurmond is a 4th generation member of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He was baptized as an infant by the late Rev. Luther Randall Neal at Mother Trinity C. M. E. Church. Under the pastorate of Rev. Jerry Poole, at the age of 11, he along with cousin and fellow member Shelia Roundtree served as the first two acolytes in the history of his home church. He then served as one of the youngest stewards in the history of Mother Trinity under Rev. Larry Fryer.
He began his professional career in Respiratory Therapy, was employed successfully as a Senior Clinical Oncology Specialist within Pharmaceutical/Biologic Sales and yet acknowledged a higher calling and purpose for his existence. He accepted his call to ministry at Trinity under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Donald R. Jordan. He served under Dr. Jordan for 4 years as a Local Preacher.
Dr. Thurmond was then appointed pastor of the Rock of Ages C. M. E. Church by Bishop Othal Hawthorne Lakey and a successful, three year pastorate ensued. While at Rock of Ages, disciples were added, a bus ministry was acquired and started, new ministries were formed, renovations were completed and the fellowship was reinvigorated.
Pastor Thurmond was then appointed Pastor in Charge at St. Paul C. M. E. Church in Savannah, Georgia where the prophetic, visionary and legendary Rev. Dr. Henry R. Delaney was the Senior Pastor. In July 2009, Dr. Thurmond was appointed Senior Pastor at St. Paul.
God continues to show himself strong in the life and witness of the St. Paul faith community with the blessings of a growing congregation, new ministries and partnerships. During Pastor Thurmond’s senior leadership at St. Paul more than 1300 new members have been added. The annual church budget exceeds 1.1 million dollars, new properties have been purchased and St. Paul continues to be a beacon of hope for the community open 6 days a week with daily tutorial services, a daily feeding ministry and providing affordable housing for citizens.
 Rev. Thurmond currently serves as the Chair of the Joint Board of Finance for the Central Georgia Region, member of the General Connectional Board of the CME Church, was a delegate to the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 General Conferences, the World Methodist Conference in Durban, South Africa, a founding member of the Savannah Alliance of Pastors and former Co-President of Savannah Area Interfaith Justice Ministry now known as J.U.S.T. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Carver State Bank, Step Up Savannah, ELEVATE Savannah and on the Board of Trustees of St. Joseph/Candler Hospital System. He has been awarded The Pastor of the Year by the Sixth Episcopal District of the CME Church. He was a 2021 fellow of the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary. In 2022, he was awarded the Peace Builder Award by The Mediation Center of Savannah. He is a proud life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the NAACP and also a member of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
Pastor Thurmond is happily married to Antoinette Johnson Thurmond. They are the blessed parents of a son, D. Ramsey, Jr. and a daughter, Barbara Maxine.