Pastor James P. Tharrington, Jr.was born in Durham, NC.  He graduated from North Carolina A & T State University with a Degree in Speech and Theater Communication.  He was privileged to serve his senior year as the Student Government President.  God has seen fit to equip Pastor Tharrington with an anointing of leadership (honored in the May 1985 Ebony Magazine as a “Future Leader of Tomorrow”).  He currently pastors Evangel Fellowship Church of God in Christ (Reidsville, NC) and Successful Life Word Ministries (High Point, NC).

Pastor Tharrington has traveled extensively teaching at various conventions, churches and conferences challenging others to reach their potential.  He is the author of 9 Christian books including: Should Christians Pledge Fraternities and Sororities?, The Family: A God-given Institution, Deliverance from People and A Friend to the Fallen. He is also a sought after lecturer on Cultural Diversity having taught in many institutions including Norfolk Public Schools, Lynchburg Police Dept., Liberty University, and the City of Lynchburg Department of Social Services.

As a Community Leader, Pastor Tharrington served in Norfolk, VA as the Co-Chair of the Community Schools Advisory Board, member of the Board of Directors for the Norfolk YMCA, Outreach Coordinator for Norfolk YMCA, member of the Mayor’s Red Ribbon Committee on High School Drop-Out Prevention, and member of Norfolk Public School’s Special Bussing Commission.  He was honored as Mayor Paul Fraim proclaimed November 5, 2000 as Elder James P. Tharrington, Jr. Day in Norfolk, VA.

Pastor Tharrington was appointed in 2012 by his spiritual father, the late Bishop Otis Lockett, Sr., as District Superintendent of the Greater Faith District, COGIC.  He currently serves as Superintendent of the Triad Region.  Pastor Tharrington has served the National Church of God in Christ as a Member of the National Publishing Board, Sergeant At Arms to the National COGIC General Assembly and Workshop Presenter for the National Holy Convocation.

Pastor Tharrington has a total of 24 years of pastoral experience having previously served in Detroit, MI, Norfolk, VA and Murfreesboro, NC   In addition he has served as a Chaplain for the Norfolk Police Department, Lynchburg City Police Department and the Liberty University Men’s Basketball team.  Currently he is the Lead Chaplain for the Reidsville Police Department.  He also works as a Parent Advocate for Rockingham County Public Schools.  One of his passions is mentoring elementary and middle school boys, teaching them how to reach their potential in becoming strong adult men valuable to the community.  In 2013 Pastor Tharrington was recognized by Mayor Jay Donecker for 10 years of outstanding pastoral and community service in Reidsville, NC.

Superintendent Tharrington has been married to Lady Dawn Pruden Tharrington for 29 years.  They have three children and currently reside in Reidsville, NC.