Pastor Lawton Thompson grew up in Oviedo, Florida, where he was baptized and nurtured in the faith at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and School. The natural beauty of Central Florida fostered in him a lifelong appreciation for activities like fishing, hiking, hunting, and kayaking—interests that continue to bring him rest, joy, and a sense of connection to God’s creation.
Before entering pastoral ministry, Pastor Thompson spent two decades serving his community as a firefighter. This work allowed him to walk alongside people during their most difficult moments and strengthened his desire to care for others not only physically but also spiritually. Over time, he began to feel the urge to serve the Church more directly.
In 2018, he was ordained as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, with a focus on school and family ministry. After completing the SMP program, he
continued his education residentially at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, where he earned his
Master of Divinity (MDiv) in 2022.
Most recently, Pastor Thompson served at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, Missouri,
where he enjoyed preaching, teaching, and building relationships within the congregation and
community. His favorite part of ministry is spending time with people, often over a cup of coffee,
discussing the intersection of life and God’s Word.
Pastor Thompson’s ministry is supported and enriched by his family. He is married to Jessica, a
Deaconess who serves with Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries. Pastor Thompson and Jessica
have two sons. Noah, 20, attends Southeast Missouri State University and serves as a combat
medic in the Missouri National Guard. Their younger son, Jonny, is 18 and a senior in high
school. He plans to attend Concordia University Chicago in the fall to study elementary
education and music.
Pastor Thompson values time with his family, the opportunity to connect with and serve others,
and the many ways God continues to guide his life and ministry.
Before entering pastoral ministry, Pastor Thompson spent two decades serving his community as a firefighter. This work allowed him to walk alongside people during their most difficult moments and strengthened his desire to care for others not only physically but also spiritually. Over time, he began to feel the urge to serve the Church more directly.
In 2018, he was ordained as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, with a focus on school and family ministry. After completing the SMP program, he
continued his education residentially at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, where he earned his
Master of Divinity (MDiv) in 2022.
Most recently, Pastor Thompson served at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, Missouri,
where he enjoyed preaching, teaching, and building relationships within the congregation and
community. His favorite part of ministry is spending time with people, often over a cup of coffee,
discussing the intersection of life and God’s Word.
Pastor Thompson’s ministry is supported and enriched by his family. He is married to Jessica, a
Deaconess who serves with Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries. Pastor Thompson and Jessica
have two sons. Noah, 20, attends Southeast Missouri State University and serves as a combat
medic in the Missouri National Guard. Their younger son, Jonny, is 18 and a senior in high
school. He plans to attend Concordia University Chicago in the fall to study elementary
education and music.
Pastor Thompson values time with his family, the opportunity to connect with and serve others,
and the many ways God continues to guide his life and ministry.
