The Pastors
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Pastor Dr. Terry G. Thornton
Senior Pastor,
Sweet Hope Free Will Baptist Church
Pastor Pastor Dr. Terry Guilio Thornton has served as the Pastor of Sweet Hope Free Will Baptist Church of Baltimore, Maryland since 2002. God has used Dr. Thornton to begin a spiritual revival at Sweet Hope and in Northwest Baltimore. Sweet Hope is a vibrant ministry that seeks to perfect and mature saints for ministry.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. 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, a former pioneer in nursing and hospital administration in Baltimore City. God has blessed Dr. Thornton with a lovely, supportive wife, Jacqueline P. Thornton. They are the proud parents of two sons, Terry and Benjamin. They also adore their three grandsons.
Under the anointed leadership of Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Pastor of the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. 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.
As pastor of Sweet Hope, God has led Dr. 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 led the ministry to establish Kingdom Priorities that regard salvation, discipleship, and missions seriously.
Dr. Thornton sees the potential of God in everyone he meets. With a shepherd’s heart, he tenderly cares for the people 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 Dr. Thornton’s ministry reaches beyond the local church. His relationships include:
- Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors
- Progressive Free Will Baptist Conference
- Garrison Hill Community Association
- ACT Now Baltimore
Dr. 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 in English. He earned his Master of Theology from Saint Mary’s Seminary and University. He earned his Doctor of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio.
Pastor Paulette L. Bostic
Executive Pastor,
Sweet Hope Free Will Baptist Church
Pastor Paulette L. Bostic is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. She is the youngest child born to Trustee Paul and the late Bishop Marilyn E. Bostic. Pastor Bostic accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at a young age and began to work in various capacities in the Church.
She is a high school graduate of Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Pastor Bostic earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland University College in Cybersecurity on May 13, 2017. Pastor Bostic continued to pursue her education and graduated with a Master of Science degree from University of Maryland Global Campus in Cybersecurity Management and Policy on May 19, 2022. Understanding the need for theological education, she has taken various courses at Arlington Bible College in Baltimore, Maryland.
On October 11, 2013, Pastor Bostic was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success as a member of the University of Maryland University College’s Chapter of Sigma Alpha Pi. December 1, 2016 she was inducted into The Tau Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda and on December 16, 2016 Upsilon Pi Epsilon, Kappa Chapter.
Pastor Bostic accepted her call to the ministry in 2004. Under the guidance of her Mother and Pastor, she was released to prepare for ministry under Pastor Terry G. Thornton, Pastor of Sweet Hope Free Will Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. She later preached her Initial Sermon on September 15, 2007 at Sweet Hope under her Father in the Ministry, Pastor Thornton. Pastor Bostic was Ordained to the Gospel Ministry on January 25, 2013 at Sweet Hope under Pastor Thornton with the blessing of her Mother, Bishop Bostic.
Pastor Bostic serves in the rich legacy of her Mother as the Pastor of Jesus of Nazareth Free Will Baptist Church in Essex, Maryland. Prior to serving as the Pastor, she has served in various ministerial capacities at Jesus of Nazareth including Choir Director, Youth Pastor, and Co-Pastor. Pastor Bostic has a passion for music ministry and is a very anointed soloist.
Pastor Bostic is the proud parent of one handsome son, Kahlil N. Glover.
Having accepted the “call”, Paulette favors the words penned in Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 which declares:“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
