Former Badin pastor dies, honored by church
Church members and friends recently mourned the loss of a former pastor in Badin.
Rev. David Laconte Thompson, 90, former pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Badin, died on Tuesday June 10, 2025. He had served the church as pastor for 40 years, according to a resolution issued by the church.
“Mt. Zion’s congregation immensely loved and honored Pastor and First Lady emeritus Thompson and that love remains solid today,” says Bishop Tavaris Johnson, current pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Bishop Johnson shared a resolution the church issued following Thompson’s death. It follows below.
Church Resolution Honoring the Life of Reverend David Laconte Thompson
December 27, 1934 ~ June 10, 2025
WHEREAS for 40 years, the ministry of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 500 Sherman Street, Badin, North Carolina 28009, was entrusted to the Reverend David Laconte Thompson as pastor, who was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Edna Thompson and,
WHEREAS Pastor Thompson was a modest man who followed God’s will. His work, effort, hardships, and labor of love were multifaceted and grounded in the Holy Writ. The Lord bestowed upon Pastor Thompson and our congregation His spirit with power, wisdom and knowledge, gifts of the Spirit, revelations and revival and,
WHEREAS in addition to pouring oil and wine on the wounds of weary individuals, comforting the desolate and bereaved, and uplifting the hearts of countless men, women, and children, Pastor Thompson facilitated the training and launching of ministers and ministries that have their roots in the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He led leaders, advocated for Christ, promoted wellness, and denounced violence, avarice, and partiality and,
WHEREAS in a profound affirmation of his belief that Mt. Zion would be a “Light sitting on a hill,” Pastor Thompson compelled the congregation to prayer, fasting, and vigilance against the wiles of the enemy and,
WHEREAS Pastor Thompson served, humbly and consistently extended himself and as a result he was regarded as a pastor not only to the members of Mt. Zion but also to the greater West Badin community. He did so by visiting the sick and shut-in members of both his own church and neighboring churches, and by regularly opening the doors of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Badin to community meetings, educational opportunities, and community members who were without a formal church home and,
WHEREAS He collaborated with the churches in the West Badin area to form a coalition that sponsored combined Holy Week Services, Sunrise Services, Watch Night Services, and a Crisis Control ministry that provided periodic financial assistance and,
WHEREAS under Pastor Thompson’s leadership, large numbers of people were sent to Mt. Zion, where they witnessed signs, wonders, and miracles manifested as well as a renewal of love and zeal (according to knowledge) and,
WHEREAS proclaiming the works of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ and urging men and women to give their lives to Christ, Pastor Thompson led marches through the streets of West Badin to fulfill the great commission in Saint Matthew chapter twenty-eight verses eighteen through twenty, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...” (The King James Version) and,
WHEREAS Pastor Thompson led the congregation and other community members in attending weekly Bible Study during a given year to read the Bible aloud together through its entirety, and
WHEREAS Pastor Thompson made good and faithful deposits in the hearts, minds, and souls of congregants and in all with whom he had contact, and
WHEREAS Pastor Thompson led and taught by example how to handle with care those who were downcast, those who were downtrodden, and those who were ostracized. He truly walked in love, and
WHEREAS Pastor Thompson often admonished the congregation to be encouraged and not to faint, but to hold on to hope and to walk in forgiveness, frequently verbalizing his favorite saying, “It takes time to be Holy, ” and
WHEREAS during Pastor Thompson’s tenure, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church engaged in a remodeling program, advanced from worship services two Sundays a month to four Sundays, Praise Services, the implementation of Vacation Bible School, a Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation Program, a Church Nursery, an Adult Education Program, and Afternoon Tutorial Program, installation of the Churches Cornerstone, a handicapped walk and ramp, membership and support of the former Stanly County Missionary Baptist Association, the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, the Lott Carey Convention, and other Civic Groups, paid off church debt of more than $80,000, and established a satisfactory credit rating which is still presently above average. Other accomplishments under Pastor Thompson’s tenure included, asphalting Southeast parking area, addition of Northeast parking area, renovation of church interior (including the sanctuary with new lighting), air conditioner units were replaced, new carpets, woodwork, office furniture, computer and fax machine, new church van, organ, drums, kitchen appliances and utensils were purchased, and
WHEREAS in the words of the hymn writer, Sullivan Pugh written in 1969, “May the esteem and admirable work of Pastor David Laconte Thompson speak for him, ” and
WHEREAS according to Second Timothy chapter four verses seven through eight, Pastor Thompson has “...fought a good fight, he has finished his course, and he has kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness...” and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as we reflect on the life, legacy, and lineage of the Reverend David Laconte Thompson today, we are reminded of the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ found in Saint Matthew chapter twenty-five verse twenty-one, “...Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord,” (The King James Version) and
BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED, we the pastor, first lady, deacons, and members of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church not only offer our prayers and condolences, but more importantly our heartfelt gratitude and love for Pastor Thompson, to First Lady emeritus, Mrs. Edna Thompson and to the entire Thompson Family for their many years of devotion to and sacrifices made for Mt. Zion down through the years, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we shall forever holdfast to the legacy of Pastor David Laconte Thompson as it has been etched in all our hearts and whose shoulders we stand upon today. We also express our heartfelt appreciation for Sister Dorinda Robinson who assisted with this resolution in honor of Pastor Thompson, and
FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Pastor David Laconte Thompson and a copy be recorded in the minutes and archives of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church as a testament of his life and service among us.
Lovingly and Respectfully Submitted, this the 20th day of June in the year of our Lord 2025.
Bishop Tavaris Johnson, Senior Pastor
Evangelist Whitnei Johnson, First Lady
Pastor Marilyn A. Barringer, Assistant Pastor
Deacon Leon Brown, Chairman of the Board of Deacons
Deacon Christopher Edwards, Sr, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
The Deacons and Members of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Badin, North Carolina