Church Planter Pastor Author
Newest Release
Plunder: Unearthing Truth For Marketplace And Ministry Leadership
Plunder is a goldmine of wisdom unearthed by some of the greatest business thinkers, pastors, and entrepreneurs of today. Each plunder will guide your leadership team into meaningful discussions and practical biblical insight for the marketplace and ministry.
In Kevin’s newest book, Plunder, I found myself mentally applying the exact same principals to my real estate business, our church, and the fundraising consulting I get to do. That caused me to realize that’s actually his point! The biblical principles of leadership for the church and the marketplace are the same and can be applied to all areas of life. It’s as if God says we are all in full time ministry wherever we’re placed, and Kevin captures that well with each ‘plunder’ and how he structured each chapter for teaching and application for all areas of our lives!
- Jason Coffey Real Estate Investor, Fundraising Consultant, & Ruling Elder
Kevin does a superb job plundering truth from a myriad of extra-biblical sources, screening its veracity through the lens of the gospel, and pointing out, in a winsome way, key lessons worth applying to my life and ministry practices. I had to learn some of the lessons discussed in Kevin’s book in the “school of hard knocks.” If I had read a book like “Plunder” before I launched into church planting, I believe I would have been wiser and more sensitive in leading people to Christ and kingdom expansion. This is a great book to read, ponder and apply to improve your effectiveness in any ministry.
- John Kinyon - Senior Pastor, Redeemer Church, PCA, Southern Pines, NC (3x church planter)
The Crossroads Of Adultery A Journey of Repentance And Faith
If you have had an affair or you are walking with a friend who has had an affair, this book is for you. It meets you at the crossroads of adultery and shows you the road less traveled—the road of repentance and faith. You will walk through Psalm 51 and consider twelve crossroads that you will face in the aftermath of your affair. It is designed for the husband to find his way back to the LORD, his wife, and family. Meditate on it. Pray through it and grab a friend, mentor, or pastor to join you on the journey. May the LORD grant you grace and guide you every step of the way back home!
"Scripture is given to be a light to our path in a world filled with darkness. Thumpston has given us a great gift here—an illuminating walk through one of the most beautiful passages about confession, repentance, and hope, faithfully applying it to the catastrophe of infidelity. Get it and keep it handy. There is a way forward.”
— Russ Ramsey, Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church’s Cool Springs location in Nashville, Tennessee and author of the Retelling the Story Series
As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to respectfully give the reason for the hope that is within us. Most of us believe we ought to do so, but we have a very hard time actually doing it. Our culture’s crisis of identity makes the task of sharing the gospel daunting and complex. Instead of trying to sell our friends on what we believe, we ought to let the questions of their hearts lead the conversation. Their unique heart cry is the sweet spot to help them find their true identity in Christ. Everyone needs a friend to lean in, listen for and love well toward true identity in Christ. Questions of the Heart will equip you to be that friend.
“ If you are looking for an effective resource to spur conversation with colleagues, friends, and family members about how Jesus satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart, Kevin has provided an excellent resource for that. I highly recommend this helpful, accessible book for that purpose.”
Scott Sauls, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee and author of Jesus Outside the Lines and A Gentle Answer”
Click on image for Free Questions of the Heart 12 week Study Guide
Questions of the Heart is a great book to study in a small group. I have provided a FREE twelve week study guide to help you work through the book, grow in your own identity in Christ, and to equip you to share your faith more effectively. Simply download and print a copy for each of the participants.
About
Faith & Family
I was born in Jackson, Mississippi with two older sisters, a mom in government work and an entrepreneurial dad. God gave my parents a surprise in that I was born with the birth defect, Spina Bifida. Not many could walk at that time with this condition but the Lord had other plans for me. The doctors called them “miracle steps.” At the age of ten, we moved to Greenville, SC making it home throughout high school. The place I felt most alive was in the pool. I swam all year round at Furman University’s aquatic program. Although God gave me miracle steps, I used my legs to run away from God seeking pleasure and approval. I attended church from time to time at First Presbyterian PCUSA (Greenville), but truth went in one ear and out the other. I made it through high school working in restaurants and becoming a very independent young man, especially due to my parents getting divorced. It wasn’t until my junior year at the University of South Carolina (Columbia) when an older fraternity brother pulled me aside and challenged my lifestyle and beliefs. He invited me to attend a bible study with some pretty awesome dudes. It wasn’t long before the Lord called me off the fence and radically grabbed a hold of my heart. For the first time in my life, I had real purpose and a new identity. These were my miracle steps—when I began walking with Jesus.
Andrea and I met at USC. She was an education major, and I was a psychology/ business major. Wanting to honor the Lord with our relationship, we became “friends with potential.” We both thought we were headed to the mission field, but once again God had other plans. After graduation, I went home to take care of my mother while Andrea finished up her student teaching. A year later Andrea and I got engaged. Talking with her pastor turned into a job offer as the youth director at New Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Aiken. A few years later, the church sent us to Covenant Theological Seminary, where we caught a vision for church planting. Our first call was in Raleigh, NC, where we planted Christ Our Comfort (PCA), which is now Christ the King (PCA). In Raleigh, we not only saw a church birthed but had three amazing kids of our own. Andrea took on the tremendous task of homeschooling all three. Since our initial call, we have served in Charleston, SC and now Watershed Fellowship in Lexington, S.C. We planted Watershed Fellowship back in 2010 and have called it our church family to this day. Back in 2013, Palmetto Presbytery hired me on as the coordinator of church planting, where we have helped many churches get planted throughout SC. We count it a great blessing to serve the Lord as a couple and as a family. Andrea and I are preparing to figure out life with all three of our kids leaving the nest. We are looking forward to seeing what God has planned for us.
Books
(Click on the navigation links on Homepage for further explanations.)
Questions of the Heart: Leaning In, Listening For And Loving Well Toward True Identity In Christ (August 2020)
FREE Questions of the Heart Study Guide (January 2021)
The Crossroads of Adultery: A Journey of Repentance and Faith (Summer 2021)
Flow: A Metaphor of Ministry (2021)
Plunder: Unearthing Truth for the Marketplace & Ministry (2021)
Other Writings
Church Planting Field Guide: Palmetto & Pee Dee Presbytery
Ministry
In Questions of the Heart Kevin Thumpston tells an array of stories, including his own. He leads us into all of the most basic questions of life and discipleship. Questions of the Heart is readable and wise, a great book for individuals and groups who want to explore the faith or to deepen the faith that is already theirs.
Dan Doriani
Vice President, Covenant Theological Seminary Author, Work: It’s Purpose, Dignity, and Transformation
Questions of the Heart is conversational, draws from a wide, rich batch of cultural resources, and it’s biblical. I’m grateful for Kevin’s zeal to bring the practice of thoughtful evangelism to the forefront.
Sandra McCracken
Singer songwriter
It is a rare thing to meet a pastor who is incredibly thoughtful, faithfully intentional, highly relational, and deeply humble. Kevin is all of the above in the most beautiful way, and I can't wait for you to read his book.
Sammy Rhodes
RUF Campus Minister, University of South Carolina Author, Broken and Beloved
Touch Base with Me
or
Schedule A Speaking/ Training Engagement
kevint@watershedfellowship.org
2024-2025
February 17, 2024 Watershed Fellowship Questions of the Heart Conference
April 27, 2024 The Cathedral Charleston, SC (Vestry Retreat)
May 5, 2024 Lebanon Presbyterian Church Winnsboro Questions of the Heart
July 28-August 4, 2024 Helensburgh, Scotland (Hope Community Church)
Feb 18, 2025 Reformed Theological Seminary (Churchplanting Leadership)
April 1-3, 2025 Georgia (Rural Churchplanting Cohort)
June 20-30, 2025 Dunbarton, Scotland (Churchplanting Vision Trp)