Waco, TX—On Monday, January 13, 2025, the Texas Baptist Bible Fellowship honored Jerry and Freddie Thorpe during its meeting in Waco, Texas. The evening featured heartfelt testimonies, a moving video tribute, and reflections from ministry leaders, including long-time friends Rick Blue and John Theisen. It celebrated the Thorpes’ decades of faithful ministry and their profound impact on pastors, missionaries, church leaders, and their families.
The honor aligned perfectly with the meeting’s theme of fostering connection and encouragement among ministry leaders. Jerry Thorpe expressed his deep gratitude, sharing how a “long obedience in the same direction” has brought immense personal fulfillment. BBFI Central Office Director Randy Harp presented a proclamation officially declaring January 13, 2025, as “Jerry Thorpe Day” within the Baptist Bible Fellowship International.
A Life of Ministry and Service
Jerry and Freddie Thorpe now reside in Granbury, Texas, after a lifetime of ministry and leadership. Born into a legacy of faith, Jerry grew up under the guidance of his father, Curtis Thorpe, who pastored Temple Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas, for 38 years. Jerry joined his father in ministry, co-pastoring the church for 20 years starting in 1964 before assuming the role of Senior Pastor in 1984. Under his leadership, Temple Baptist Church—now Crossroads Fellowship—became the largest church in Odessa. Jerry retired from the senior pastorate in November 2000 after 36 years of faithful service and spent the subsequent 25 years traveling and speaking in churches across the nation.
Jerry married his wife, Freddie, on June 2, 1958. Together, they raised three children—daughter Cheryl and sons Alan and Kyle—and have been blessed with four grandchildren.
Education and Recognitions
Jerry Thorpe earned an Associate of Science degree from Odessa College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Permian Basin. He also attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, and Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. His contributions to ministry and the community have earned him numerous accolades, including:
- Outstanding Graduate in History, University of Texas (Permian Basin)
- Honorary Doctorate, Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College (1986)
- Statesman of the Year in Religion, Odessa Heritage Foundation (1991)
- Friend of Education Award, Ector County Independent School District (1995)
- Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, Liberty University (2009)
Community and National Influence
In addition to his pastoral achievements, Jerry Thorpe served on the Liberty University Board for 35 years (1988–2023) and was actively involved in community leadership through organizations such as the Salvation Army, United Way, Odessa Housing Authority Board, and the Ector County Juvenile Home. He also served as Head Chaplain of the Odessa Police Department and was a member of the Odessa Ministerial Alliance and the Downtown Lions Club.
Thorpe remains a sought-after speaker, continuing to inspire and mentor pastors, missionaries, and church leaders with his practical wisdom and insights into faith, leadership, and ministry. His commitment to fostering connections has left a lasting legacy of encouragement and hope for future generations.
Jerry and Freddie Thorpe’s recognition at the TX BBF meeting underscores their enduring legacy of faithfulness, leadership, and service. Their impact on Baptist Bible Fellowship International and the broader ministry community is immeasurable, and their lives are testaments to a life devoted to God’s work.
