Thomas tapped as seminary chaplain, special assistant to president

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) - Claude Thomas, pastor of First Baptist Church in Euless, Texas, announced Sept. 26 he will step down from his pulpit to join the staff of Southwestern Seminary as seminary chaplain and special assistant to President Paige Patterson.

In his role as seminary chaplain, Thomas will offer counsel to many of the 3,010 students enrolled at the seminary who are pursuing pastoral education or are serving currently as pastors.

Thomas is a two-time graduate of Southwestern Seminary and a former president of the seminary's National Alumni Association. Three of Thomas' four sons also attended the seminary.

He also is a former president of the SBC Pastors' Conference and former chairman of the SBC Executive Committee.