Pastor Thomas R. Pumphrey was born and raised in Spencerville, Maryland, third son of the

late Matthew and Erlean Pumphrey. He joined the U.S. Air Force immediately after

graduating from Sherwood High School in 1963. He served in the United States Air Force

for four years, finishing the last year in Vietnam. Upon completion of his military career, he

enrolled at Morgan State University, earning a BA Degree in Sociology. He received his

Master of Science Degree in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University and his

Administration Certification from Trinity University. Rev. Pumphrey attended Evangel

Theological Seminary, earning credits towards a Masters Degree in Divinity. In July 2000,

he retired from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) after working as a custodian,

an instructional assistant, a classroom teacher, an assistant principal and a principal. In July

of 2000, Rev. Pumphrey began serving in full time ministry at the Interdenominational

Church of God (ICOG).

Pastor Pumphrey began his “Joshua Journey” at Good Hope United Methodist Church with his parents and at Round Oak

Baptist Church with his grandparents. At the age of five while playing in the yard, the late Pastor Roger Brogden picked

him up and declared to all those listening that “One day this boy will carry the Word of God.” At the age of twelve, he

joined Good Hope but admits that “giving his life to Christ” was not something that he was sure of. Church was an expected

part of his life and he was heavily involved in the Methodist Youth Fellowship on the local level, engaging in activities such

as attending regional conferences during his youth and teen years. Like so many, there came a time when Rev. Pumphrey

drifted away from the church.

In 1974, under the ministry of Dr. Phillip W. Davis, Sr., the pastor and founder of the Interdenominational Church of God,

Rev. Pumphrey received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord. He acknowledges that being accepted by the Beloved

even while still struggling in his sanctification was the greatest encouragement as he began his walk. In 1977, he was called

and appointed to the office of Deacon. After serving as a deacon, the Lord called him to the ministry in 1978. He began

ministering as a teacher at ICOG, teaching Bible Study and Sunday school to all ages. In 1980, he was asked to serve as the

Pastor's Assistant. After serving in this role for three years, Pastor Davis and the church called him to be the Assistant Pastor.

He served in this role from 1983 maintaining a “father – son” relationship with Pastor Davis. In 1999, Pastor Davis began

to share with the congregation and others that Rev. Pumphrey was his “Joshua”. In March, 2012, Pastor Davis officially

tendered his retirement and designated Rev. Pumphrey as the new senior pastor of ICOG. He was installed as senior pastor

of ICOG on September 9, 2012. He served faithfully as senior pastor until his retirement December 31, 2019.

Throughout his years of service Pastor Pumphrey has always demonstrated a love and concern for youth and mentorship.

ICOG’s current pastor was baptized by him; served as his youth pastor, and his assistant. PastorP (as he is known)

developed and organized the annual Youth Summit held for two weekends every year at ICOG, bringing together youth from many

different churches and denominations for workshops and seminars.

Pastor Pumphrey has served as guest pastor at the Naumburg Family Conference in Frankfort, Germany. He continues to return to

Germany as guest pastor for conferences, and church dedications. He and a ministry team from ICOG were part of a conference and

CD performance in Flensburg, Germany. Pastor Pumphrey has also been guest pastor at the Nehemiah Conference in Trechi, India.

Pastor Pumphrey continues to serve as an Elder at ICOG and a mentor to many young ministers and pastors throughout the area and

overseas. He also currently serves as an Educational Consultant with the Weinfeld Educational Group (WEG) co-leading the SEE US

Initiative. The SEE US Initiative works with parents as an advocate of Black students throughout the DMV area who have been identified

with learning difficulties.

Pastor Pumphrey’s community involvement includes serving as a member of MCPS’s Accelerated and Enriched Instruction

Feedback Council, the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation (MCPSEF) Board of Directors, The

African-American Student Achievement Action Group, the NAACP, Action in Montgomery and the Black Ministers

Conference of Montgomery County.

Pastor Pumphrey and his wife of forty-four years, Minister Rita Palmer Pumphrey were blessed with three children, Min.

David, Jennifer, the late Tamara Pumphrey Nance and six grandchildren