Bishop Alexis Thomas of Phoenix's Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church dies at 50

Bishop Alexis Thomas, a pillar of the African-American community in Phoenix and senior pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, has died, parishioners said. He was 50.

Thomas was said to have passed away unexpectedly Thursday night. A cause of death was not immediately available. 

Under Thomas' leadership, the congregation of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church grew from 200 to more than 4,000 members, a church spokesman said in a statement.

His fervor for sharing the gospel started young. He received his license to preach at the age of 7, and by 16 had been appointed as the senior pastor at Pilgrim Rest. 

As founder and general chairman of the African-American Christian Clergy Coalition and co-founder of the African American Strategic Alliance Coalition in Phoenix, Thomas' leadership and influence stretched well beyond the church walls.

"Bishop Thomas was a true pillar, not only in the African-American community, but across all communities," Arizona state Rep. Reginald Bolding said. "He really changed the framework of what it means to be a bishop and a pastor who has a pulse on the community."

Leaders in Arizona and across the nation shared their grief Friday morning along with Thomas' family and friends

The Rev. Al Sharpton said in a tweet that he was mourning the death of Thomas, who helped him lead a march on the state Capitol to protest Senate Bill 1070 in 2010.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said in a statement Friday morning that Thomas gave him spiritual advice when he needed it most.

"Bishop Thomas was one of the greatest men I ever knew, and in so many ways he was the soul of our city. I am devastated by the news of his passing," Stanton said.

Parishioners took to social media Friday morning to share their grief and admiration for a man who guided and strengthened them through his words and actions.

"He was always talking about his bigger vision of what the church might be,"  Shareé Hurts-Perry, who arrived at Pilgrim Rest in 2001, told The Arizona Republic.

Sarah Simpson began attending the church in her early 20s in 2004. She said Thomas helped her find herself at a time when she didn't really know what she wanted out of life or where she fit in.

Thomas leaves behind a wife and five sons.

A homegoing service at Pilgrim Rest for Bishop Thomas is being planned, but there are no further details at this time, a church spokesman said in a statement.

The church has asked that the privacy of the family be honored, and anyone who would like more information can contact Pilgrim Rest at 602-258-0831.

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