Valerie M. Thomas was born June 27, in Brooklyn New York to Emil and the late Virginia Castro.

 

At an early age her family attended the Bronx Refuge Church of Christ under the leadership of the late Apostle Thomas J. Richardson.  As a teenager she was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit at the Mount Zion Church of Christ in Brooklyn N.Y. under the leadership of Elder Leroy Bradford Sr.  In 1985 she met Robert I. Thomas Jr. at a Tri-District Diocese (COOLJC) youth service at the Refuge Church of Christ Corona, NY under the leadership of the late Bishop Robert I. Thomas Sr.   Later that year Valerie later became a member of the Refuge Church of Christ of Corona under the leadership of the late Bishop Robert I. and Mother Mable L. Thomas. Valerie became a member of the Voices of Refuge Choir, joined the Willing Workers auxiliary, the Women’s Council and later served as usher Board president.

 

In September 2001, Valerie along with her husband Elder Robert I. Thomas Jr. founded New Vision Ministries Inc. An apostolic ministry that met in their home, to teach the local community the principles of the Apostolic Doctrine. For several years, as First Lady, Valerie worked side by side with her husband in the teaching the word of God to the members of New Vision Ministries.  In 2007 Elder Thomas was led of the Lord to return home to the Greater Refuge Church of Christ, in  South Ozone Park to assist his father Bishop Robert I. Thomas Sr. at their new church location.

At Greater Refuge, Elder Thomas was appointed as Assistant Pastor and Sister Valerie was appointed a Senior Missionary. Since the retirement of Bishop Thomas and the appointment of Elder Thomas as Sr. Pastor in 2018, Valerie now serves as Women’s Department supervisor. She has been a dynamic counselor, confidant, and prayer partner to all the members at GRCC.

 

Valerie attended Clara Barton School for Health Professionals in Brooklyn, NY and studied in the Dental Assistant Program. She attended LaGuardia Community College, Queens, NY and graduated from the world renowned  American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in Manhattan, NY.  She has been a Licensed Funeral Director since 1993 and is the Managing Director at the Paul Lane Funeral Home in Jamacia, NY. With all that Valerie has accomplished, she has also been an inspiration too many women encouraging them to be entrepreneurial as they pursue their educational goals. Valerie is a Licensed Notary Public Licensed Real Estate Agent and a Licensed Real Estate Signing Agent.  

 

Valerie is an ardent bible student and has attended the Church of Christ Bible Institute in Harlem NY. Her smile is radiant, and she has a willing spirit to help anyone in need. Valerie was married to Robert I. Thomas Jr. on April 21st, 1990, and they are blessed with two dynamic and talented children Maria and Robert III.

 

We at the Greater Refuge Church of Christ Inc. are blessed to have such a wonderful Woman of God as our First Lady. Her humble spirit is unique, and her spiritually encouraging words and her life’s accomplishments are an inspiration to us all.