Rev. Rita Thompson is Senior Co-Pastor of the Triumphant Church. She is also a noted speaker, teacher, author, education activist, and community leader. In her leadership capacity at TTC, she oversees the Family Ministry that includes counseling in a broad range of areas including pre-marital, marriage, financial stewardship, singles, children and youth as well as spearheading the church Building Project.

Rita's primary focus is the ministry of reconciliation. She believes
that she is called to teach, preach, and model the word of
God to her congregation, to enable them to carry out the "Great
Commission" as outlined in Matthew 28.

She has been noted for her anointing in helping children and families work through the difficult issues facing them. She brings a compassionate understanding of biblical principles to resolve issues and a methodical approach to working toward solutions. In doing so, she has earned the trust of parents inside and outside
of the church. However, Rita firmly believes that her effectiveness is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Rita was born in Greenville, SC, and has been saved since the age of 7. She has a pastor's heart with a strong
prophetic gift and believes that her greatest accomplishment is being a servant of the Lord and seeing His grace and mercy manifest in His people. She has been a missionary in Kenya, Uganda, and Mexico. Her local outreach includes Agape Ministries (a substance abuse and homeless shelter), the National Day of Prayer, and the Right to Life marches.

Rita's community service has included being an elected official, several government appointments, and representing high profile organizations in a public relations role. She has served as an At- Large member of the Fairfax County School Board, where she most recently introduced the "Fatherhood" program to the Fairfax County Schools. She was appointed by Governors, George Allen, Jim Gilmore, and Mark Warner as Virginia's Representative to the Education Commission of the States, served as a member of the Board of Visitors of Mary Washington College and was the National Spokesperson for Concerned Women for America. She was also the chairman of the Virginia Department of Social Services Subcommittee on the Childcare Development
Fund. She played an instrumental role in the creation of improved standards for Virginia's Child Protective Services, working to ensure the protection of children and families against abuse and neglect. Rita was formerly Director of Public Relations for a Fairfax County Supervisor. Currently, she is the Assistant Dean of Admission at the University of Mary Washington.

Rita received a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and completed the Masters degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, a program administered by Harvard and Tufts Universities. She holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from Regis College in Massachusetts. When asked what gives her the strength to keep going, she will tell you "I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Messiah; therefore, I know that my Redeemer lives!"