I grew up in Nairobi but came to the US at 18. As a queer, black, immigrant the Bay Area has been a place of unique challenge, opportunity and ultimately home. For work I run a corporate leadership and diversity training and consulting firm. I first joined City Church because it was a place I could bring friends to and know that I’d feel proud of what they saw and even more so, how they were welcomed. What that means has changed drastically for me over the last 12 years, as it has for the church, but it is truer today than it has ever been and for that, I am grateful. 

Why do you want to be an Elder: This transitional phase is filled with growth opportunities, and I’m eager to be an integral part of that. My heart is filled with love for City Church and I feel a genuine calling, a nudge from the Holy Spirit to serve this community, and being an elder is a way to outwardly express my deep internal commitment to this community and its mission.”

Thomas lives in Downtown Oakland and has attended City Church for 12 Years.