Mic Thurber
Now in my 5th year as senior pastor of this wonderful church family, this is my second opportunity to be in Keene.
My first opportunity came as my father, John Thurber, left the Voice of Prophecy radio broadcast where he sang second tenor in the King’s Heralds quartet, to come to the Texas Conference to serve as Senior Youth Director.
It was in my father’s youth work that I first felt the calling to give my life to working for Jesus. I saw firsthand how profoundly Jesus changed lives, and was privileged be a part of the youth work in which my father John and mother Patsy were involved. While I wasn’t sure at the time just what form my own future work might take, I was sure that He would be the focus of my life and service.
At first, music seemed to be where I was headed. Until my third year of college, after only a few semester hours of music lessons remaining to finish a performance music major, I switched to Religion, which was the degree I was awarded from Southern Adventist University (then named Southern Missionary College).
Southern had a nickname in my day – Southern Matrimonial College – for very good reason! It was there that I contributed to its reputation when I was fortunate enough to meet and marry Jana Boling, my wonderful wife of more than 30 years. We have three incredible children, Gina, Darrin, and Kaylin, which are the great joy of our lives.
Music had been a large part of my growing up experience – playing the guitar and arranging music were passions for me. However, the Lord had other plans for my life and began to gently nudge me toward other things. Upon graduation from college, Jana and I entered the Adventist work force: I taught Bible & choral music at Sunnydale Academy in Missouri, and Jana served as office manager of a newly established Adventist hospital in nearby Moberly.
After one year there, Jana and I moved to western North Carolina (one of the few places God won’t have to touch up too much when He returns!) to teach at my academy alma matter, Mt. Pisgah Academy. As much as I loved music, I soon found where my heart really was: in relating who Jesus was to my students. When a call came for me to be a youth pastor after 2 years of teaching at MPA, Jana, our 1-year-old child Gina, and I moved to San Diego, California, to begin our adventure in pastoral ministry.
I was youth pastor/associate pastor from 1981 until 1985, then senior pastor from 1985 – 1991 at the San Diego Central Church. Following two years at the Calimesa Church, near Loma Linda, I spent 6 years as the ministerial director for the Southeastern California Conference. In October, 1998, I accepted a call to be senior pastor of the Pacific Union College SDA Church, and then moved to Keene in 2002.
Our family has loved each community in which we’ve lived and worked, and it didn’t take us any time at all to love the people of this great church here in Keene. It’s my dearest hope that you will see Jesus in my ministry, and it’s my joy to see Him in each of you here.