Rockside Church welcomes new lead pastor

by John Benson

Not long after the Rev. Michele Thompson was named Rockside Church’s new lead pastor late last year, the spiritual leader learned firsthand about the friendly and welcoming Independence community.

“I was able to go to the tree lighting, which was just so special,” Thompson said. “The mayor asked me to open up the ceremony with a prayer. I was really honored to just be able to be there and meet some of the people. I was just expecting to get up and say a quick prayer, but then the emcee ended up asking me a few questions, which was great.

“We were able to talk about the church a little bit. It was almost like they gave it a little plug, which wasn’t even planned. It really was a great opportunity to just be there and, of course, be able to walk around and meet people as well. Independence seems like a great hometown and is very family-oriented, which is a great fit for Rockside Church.”

Previously, Thompson was a staff pastor at Cross Community Church in Elyria. She also worked with the Ohio Ministry Network to create Network of Women Ministers that encourages, equips and empowers the many women ministers across Ohio. She has served in full time ministry since 1999 and was ordained in 2017.   

Thompson replaces the Rev. Donna Barrett, who founded Rockside Church and left Independence to become general secretary of the Assemblies of God Church. 

“I really felt the Lord shifting me and calling me out to lead a church, so the opportunity came where Pastor Donna had been called to go to our national office, which was really awesome and a real honor,” Thompson said.

She and her husband, Charles, have twin daughters, Acelynn and Adrianna, 16. Charles is a registered nurse at University Hospitals.

“He serves alongside and helps a lot with the church as well, but he has his own calling,” she said.

Rockside Church meets in the Indiana Wesleyan University building, 4100 Rockside Rd., on Sundays for a 9:45 a.m. pre-service prayer and 10:30 a.m. worship service, and on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for prayer. In addition, the congregation of roughly 85 members hosts a Revive Student Ministries event at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at Bethany Assembly of God in Parma.

Thompson said she plans to build on Barrett’s work at the church. 

“She left a very great legacy of foundation, planting the church with some really great things that can be built on with people that love the Lord, love each other and have a heart,” she said. “The church supports more than 60 missions and organizations. It’s unbelievable how much they’re focused on supporting missionaries – and not only in the city of Cleveland but also around the nation. Pastor Donna did a really good job of building a foundation. So now I can grow from that really solid foundation.”

Thompson will focus on expanding the congregation.

“Our church is very prayer-focused and very mission-focused, so that’s something we’re going to continue,” she said. “Also, we want to really focus in on young families. We’re looking at some things we can do to draw in families and be able to minister to moms, dads and kids as well.”

Featured image photo caption: The Rev. Michele Thompson (back row, right) is settling into her new role at Rockside Church with her husband Charles and twin daughters (l-r) Acelynn and Adrianna.