A Note from Pastor Craig and Mrs. Diana Thompson
Pastor Craig has been in the ministry for 20 years and is currently Assistant Pastor at Lakeshore Assembly of God, Mentor. Diana teaches Stars for Missionnettes, and is the main cook in the kitchen ministry. Craig and Diana have been happily married for 29 years, and are blessed with two boys. As Diana jokingly says: "They eat my food, they live in my house, but I’m still proud of them! We have no grandchildren yet, but we do have two cats and a dog we’ve adopted."
Pastor Craig was saved at an Evangelical United Brethren Church revival service at the tender age of 6. At age, 15, he became The Prodigal Son, but soon rededicated his life to the Lord at an AG Church (at 23) after hearing a missionary speak. He would soon as how he asked how he too, could become a missionary, since he felt certain God wouldn't call him to ever speak in front of a congregation!
After a number of years Craig began to sense God calling him to Bible School, and he enrolled in Southeastern Bible College in Lakeland Florida, in 1985. He then embarked on several overseas missions' trips, street and nursing home ministries.
In 1990, upon graduation, he returned to Ohio with Diana and they became involved in many church ministries. When missionary doors seemed to have temporarily closed, they pastored a small country AG church—believing that that after the required two-year period as senior pastor, they could finally get on with the ultimate goal of becoming missionaries. But during their stay at the AG church, the Lord gave Craig and Diana a real love for the congregation. They witnessed many lives changed, including their own. After 4 more years of pastoring in Wapakoneta, Ohio, they finally moved to Lakeshore AG where Craig became Assistant Pastor.
They have been at Lakeshore AG for almost 13 years now. Craig co-leads the Men's Ministry along with Pastor Jim, works with the Visitation, Nursing Home and Music Ministries.
Pastor Craig's desire is for every man at Lakeshore to have a deep and personal relationship with the Lord; to be the leaders God has called them to be at home, in the workplace and in the church; and to find the ministry God has for him.
Craig and Diana's prayers for the church are that we would take the experiences of the past and use them to move forward in the Grace, Love and POWER of Jesus Christ; and that we may all realize our greatest mission in every ministry at Lakeshore to win souls for the Kingdom.