Welcome our New Midtown Teaching Pastor

Andy Thompson

 

Andy was born and raised in Chile, experiencing life in remote islands and Santiago’s bustling capital. As a missionary kid, He had a wonderful childhood and a very positive overall experience, which led him to an early interest in ministry. He left Chile after finishing high school to pursue theological education at Northland Baptist Bible College in Dunbar, Wisconsin.

During college, Andy met Kolette Snow while serving alongside her at a rescue mission and inner-city church in Milwaukee. Their mutual desire to serve brought them together, and they married in 1997. The Thompsons then spent three years in Chicago before Andy accepted a church internship in Pennsylvania near a seminary he’d been considering. A mission trip to Southern Spain rekindled the couple’s hearts for international service, and they sensed God leading them to Uruguay, where they moved in 2006, dedicating the next six years to revitalizing two struggling local churches. (cont’d)

In 2012, the Thompsons pivoted to Chile. They were invited to help colleagues lead a ministry training center in southern Chile. For most of the following years, they mentored and equipped young leaders to serve in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Then, in March 2023, Andy transitioned to a mobilization assignment in Eurasia, eager to encourage South American believers to consider needs beyond their cultural boundaries. Sadly, after facing visa problems, they reevaluated their next steps and sought a new direction. Leading them to look for a local church opportunity that would allow them to build on a lifetime of rich experiences in a unique multi-cultural setting.

The Thompson Family

Andy and Kollette are the proud parents of Josiah (23) and Natalia (21), who were born in Pennsylvania, Elias (16 - born in Uruguay), and Ian (9 - born in Chile). Josiah, who graduated college in 2024, married Trinity and lives in South Carolina. Natalia, a junior majoring in Elementary Education, also lives in SC and enjoys making plans to visit the world after graduation. Elias, a musician, made good friends with roots in Texas while in Eurasia. He would love the opportunity to reconnect with some of them! Ian, the carefree Thompson, looks forward to settling down and making many new friends.

Kolette holds a master’s in Teaching ELA 1 and is passionate about teaching and discipleship. Andy loves grilling and relishes enjoying the ocean and the mountains, which remind him of Chile.

 

Andy's Thoughts

About Midtown

At Grace Midtown, we sense the opportunity to serve with remarkable people from diverse backgrounds who have come together to move this unique project forward. We’re excited about the prospect of gathering on Sundays and enjoying a faint taste of the day when every nation, tribe, people, and language will worship the Lamb together. We love the opportunity to serve in a context that allows me to draw on my South American experience and North American heritage. Six months ago, we put together a short statement summarizing what we desired in our next season of ministry, which included the desire to serve with like-minded colleagues in a multi-ethnic church project that allows us to disciple young adults and assist Latin American cross-cultural workers. The opportunity at Midtown tracks so well!

 

The Search Process

Fall 2024

A trusted search firm recommended Andy. Through a Zoom interview, the search team confirmed that he is theologically compatible and has experience teaching, disciple-making, and leading teams. Following that, he completed assessments to determine his giftedness and constraints, determining his matching to profiles of successful teaching pastors.

December 2024

Andy met via Zoom with Samua, Enoc, and OJ to ensure relational chemistry and ministry philosophy “fit” and other areas of interest compatible with the team.

At that point, Midtown Elders were provided Andy’s resume, a history of his ministry experience, links to various sermons preached in English and Spanish, and given details of the Fall/Winter search process. His corresponding background documents (references, background checks, credit checks, etc.) confirmed his candidacy further. As interest grew, Midtown Campus leadership, Elders, and Grace Bible Church executive staff decided to invite Andy and Kollette to visit.

February 2025

Their trip to BCS enabled Andy to preach in both services and, with Kolette, to meet in person with Midtown Elders and staff, key lay leaders, the Senior Pastor, and other Teaching Pastors. Andy’s viability as a candidate was confirmed, noting his unique competencies and heart to minister well in our English and Spanish services and lead effectively within our multi-site structure.

April 6, 2025

Congregational Vote Affirming Andy Thompson as Midtown Teaching Pastor

After the congregational vote for Andy Thompson on April 6th, he received an overwhelming affirmation to be the Midtown Teaching Pastor