Pastor Jayne Thompson reaches career service milestones during fifth year at Thiel College

Posted September 21, 2018Communications and Marketing Department

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College Adjunct Professor of Religion and Campus Pastor Jayne M. Thompson is celebrating 35 years of ordained ministry, 25 years of campus pastoral work and five years of teaching and service to Thiel College.

When Thompson joined Thiel College, she started the chapel staff training program and campus ministry programming to provide students with an opportunity to experience a hands-on approach to chapel work. She leads initiatives to develop the campus worship life with weekly services and special events and has generated a significant increase in attendance.

She has guided and advised the interfaith task force which brought a Muslim chaplain from Augsburg University, a Zen Buddhist monk from central Pennsylvania and the former Lutheran Bishop from Jordan and the Holy Land.

As an advisor and mentor, Thompson has helped numerous students discern their calls to professional ministry. Many of those students have been accepted into programs at Harvard Divinity School, Vanderbilt Divinity School, University of Chicago Divinity School, Lutheran School of Theology (Chicago), Trinity Seminary (Columbus, Ohio), and now United Lutheran Seminary, formerly the historic Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.

She supports and mentors many campus organizations including the Lutheran Student Movement, the Catholic student group, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the TC Soldiers for God dance and mime troupe, the Thiel Christian Fellowship and the weekly chapel services that feature different speakers each week discussing theological and spiritual issues. Thompson has led Thiel College’s trip to triennial national Lutheran youth gathering in 2015 and 2018. Thompson has taught a variety of religion courses ranging from an introductory course in youth ministry, ministry and Christian worship as well as scriptures, women in scriptures, Luther and independent studies. Additionally, Thompson, along with her husband, Jack, are Aikido instructors and advisors for Thiel College Sailing Club.

Thompson became a registered drama therapist in 2010 from the National Association for Drama Therapy. She received a Master of Arts degree in theatre with an emphasis in drama therapy in 2002 from Kansas State University. She earned a Master of Divinity for pastoral care/youth and family ministry in 1983 from Lutheran Seminary while also spending her senior year at Vanderbilt Divinity School. She received a dual Bachelor of Arts in religion and psychology with a coaching minor in 1979 from Luther College.

“Campus ministry had a wonderful impact on my life at Thiel College. I really enjoyed learning from Pastor Jayne in the classroom, in Aikido, and working with her by being a part of Chapel Staff. And not only that, Pastor Jayne has served Thiel as an amazing pastor!” Joshua Kenst ’18 said.

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About Thiel College

Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.



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Greenville, PA 16125
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