About Dallas

Hey y'all, I'm Dallas Thompson from Gainesville, Georgia. I am married to my wonderful husband, Joshua Thompson, and we have one son named Ashton, a ninth grader who loves band, soccer, and basketball. We have one elderly dog, a long-haired miniature dachshund named Jaqq (that's a long story), and two cats, Chewbacca and Alastor.

My favorite things are anything Harry Potter (Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, thus Huffleclaw), hot tea, podcasts, and pajamas. I never meet a stranger and could talk to friends for hours. I believe that food should the sixth love language, and that Jesus loves all of us deeply.

Growing up in Gainesville, I have attended the same church my entire life. I was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in 1981, confirmed in 1993, ordained as a deacon in 2013, and began serving as Director of Youth Ministries in June 2016.

I graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education from North Georgia College & State University (formerly NGCSU, currently UNG) in Dahlonega, Georgia. I taught public school for nine years in the Gainesville City Schools System, winning teacher of the year for our system in 2009. I knew God created me to teach, and I never saw myself leaving the classroom. Imagine my surprise when I applied (and was accepted) at Columbia Theological Seminary in early 2016!

While spending three years reading through the Bible (all the way through in one year, each year - different translations, chronological, etc.), I began ordering books to supplement my reading. The last couple of books I ordered were seminary books, and I joked with my husband that I ought to go to seminary. I JOKED. Sort of. That moment, my husband who is a quiet man, looked into my eyes and said to me, "I've been praying about this for you for the last two years. I wondered when you'd figure it out for yourself." I cried. Thus began our family's seminary adventure.

I have loved my time at Columbia Theological Seminary (Decatur, GA). I am fascinated with the Old Testament and Hebrew. I've discovered a passion for pastoral care and Reformed theology. I still love teaching, and for me, that also includes preaching and writing liturgy.  I have a deep belief that God's greatest desire is for all of creation to flourish - the earth, the creatures, and all of humankind.

People keep asking me where I feel God leading me for my post-seminary life. While the details aren't clear, I do feel God is calling me to walk alongside my brothers and sisters, reminding them that they are beloved by the Creator and encouraging their flourishing. I look forward to the ways God is calling me to be at work for the kindom!