Meet our Pastor – The Reverend

Reverend Terry Guilio Thornton has served as the Pastor of Sweet Hope Free Will Baptist Church of Baltimore, Maryland since 2002. God has used Pastor Thornton to begin a spiritual revival at Sweet Hope and in Northwest Baltimore. The church is growing under his leadership as new ministries are being birthed and existing ones are being revitalized to perfect and mature saints for ministry.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Pastor Thornton is the son of Alphonso Thornton, former Captain of the Baltimore City Fire Department who helped to pave the way for other African Americans who followed him and Gloria Thornton, former pioneer in nursing in Baltimore City. God has blessed Pastor Thornton with a lovely, supportive wife, Jacqueline P. Thornton. They are the proud parents of two sons, Terry, II and Benjamin.

Under the anointed leadership of Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Pastor of the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, Pastor Thornton accepted his call to ministry and was ordained to full ministry. God elevated him to the pastorate of Sweet Hope because of his faithful and committed service at New Psalmist.

As pastor of Sweet Hope, God has lead Pastor Thornton to develop a dynamic mission for the ministry that will fulfill the vision that God has given to him for Sweet Hope. God has lead the ministry to establish Kingdom Priorities that regard salvation, discipleship, and missions seriously.

Pastor Thornton sees the potential of God in everyone he meets. With a shepherdís heart, he tenderly cares for the people that God has placed in his charge. His primary mission is to help his flock maximize their potential so each member will be a productive kingdom citizen.

The scope of Pastor Thorntonís ministry reaches beyond the local church. His relationships include:

• Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors
• Progressive Free Will Baptist Conference
• Garrison Hill Community Association
• Chairman of the Special Projects Committee

Pastor Thornton has prepared himself for ministry by studying at the Arlington Bible College. He graduated with honors from the Coppin State (College) University receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. He earned his Master of Theology Degree from Saint Mary’s Seminary and University.