Making a Faithful Investment
As the Director of Gift Processing at Reformed Theological Seminary,
Tim Thompson plays an integral role in the ongoing growth of the seminary. Tim processes all donations to RTS, ensuring gifts from our community of support are handled correctly and efficiently. He also assists in maintaining our relationship with donors, keeping our database and details up-to-date and accurate. Before joining RTS, Tim served in the Air Force in Rapid City, South Dakota, where he met his wife, Donna. From there, he received a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministries from Mid-South Bible College in Memphis, Tennessee. He later attended Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, also in Memphis. Through the 1980s, Tim pastored three Southern Baptist churches then went on to work in the retail furniture business. When the furniture business closed after he worked there 25 years, Tim was unsure of his next step. He was 61 and a career change felt daunting. While Tim was attending First Presbyterian Church in Yazoo City, he came to know one of the church elders who recommended him for the Director of Gift Processing position with RTS. Tim was familiar with RTS through his church and was encouraged at the thought of working for a Christian ministry. Tim accepted the job and began his work with RTS in October 2014. Tim considers it a privilege to become acquainted with a handful of students through his work at the seminary, having attended seminary himself. His heart has greatly grown for RTS Jackson's international students in particular: "I have been able to get to know several students from other countries. I admire them for being able to come over here and learn whatever they didn’t know of English, and then also Hebrew and Greek!" "I do this job to the best of my ability in glorifying God and fulfilling his purposes..."
Although his role is often out of the public eye, Tim recognizes the underlying significance of his work. "I do this job to the best of my ability in glorifying God and fulfilling his purposes," Tim says. He sees the work of the whole development team as an integral part of the ministry of RTS. By maintaining a seamless relationship with RTS' donors, Tim's work further encourages the growth of support toward training faithful servants for worldwide ministry. "I try to be an ambassador of goodwill in a way." In caring for donors by diligently and accurately documenting their gifts and intentions, Tim takes an important step in helping them find joy in their giving and honoring their generosity. His role in donor care gives our friends confidence that their gifts will be handled with the highest professional standards and that the investments made will be faithfully applied to further RTS' mission. Tim has witnessed the faithful generosity of RTS' long-term supporters firsthand. "I have seen the whole spectrum from those who give a dollar and those who give several million,” Tim says. “While I appreciate the big gifts, I really admire those who give consistent, small monthly gifts, such as a lady who is 102 years old!" Major Gifts Officer
Matthew Bryant had this to say about Tim: "Tim Thompson defines humble service. His attention to the smallest details, his faithful and steady work ethic, and his kindness and care for his colleagues and our donors make him a treasure to RTS. I am thankful for his service to RTS and for his friendship." Tim has just completed his eighth year with RTS. "I hope to make a positive contribution to the work of the ministry here at RTS in the future for as long as I am here," he says. "I will continue to pray and labor for this ministry that God has called us to. It is a wonderful privilege to be 'laborers together with God' (1 Cor 3:9)."
