Thomas Louis Benjamin Jr., was born September 16th, 1980, he is the Pastor of Greater Phillips Chapel, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of Compton, CA. He was appointed as Pastor of Greater Phillips Chapel, July 22, 2017. He strives to guide the congregation through spiritual growth and strives to lead the congregation with an intriguing phrase “Striving to be the Church God wants.

Born in Gardena, CA Thomas Louis Benjamin Jr., is a graduate of El Camino Compton College where he received his Associate’s in Fire Service. Benjamin participated in the James L. Shern Fire Academy, where he received his training as a Fire Fighter Cadet and graduated June 1999. After completion of the James L. Shern Fire Academy, Benjamin continued to pursue his dreams of becoming a Fire Fighter. He furthered his credentials by receiving his EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) license, January 2000 and became a Fire Fighter Intern for Compton Fire Department. He completed various trainings receiving certificates for: Swift Water Rescue, River & Flood Water Rescue, ICS (Incident Command System), Fire Management, Training Instructor, Fire Command 1A, 1B, 1C, Certified Training Officer, and Ethical Leadership to name a few.

Benjamin would bear difficult obstacles in pursuing his dreams of becoming a Fire Fighter such as failing exams for multiple Fire Department Agencies, written and medical due to a childhood illness. The feeling of doubt began to take a toll on Benjamin’s mental capacity. He believed his dreams of becoming a Fire Fighter were shattered. However, six years later, December 5th, 2005, is a day he will always cherish. It was the day he became a full time Fire Fighter for Compton Fire Department. He continues to prove that hard work and dedication contributes to continued success. Today, he is an Acting/Move up Captain for Compton Fire Department. He serves on the Board of Directors for Compton’s Firemen’s Local Union 2216; He is a Union Steward where various Fire Fighters seeks his advice and opinion; He is a member of the Fire Department Training Team; He is Co-Advisor for the Compton Fire Departments Youth Explorer program and serves on the Policy and Procedure Committee for Compton Fire Department. He continues to climb the ladder with Compton Fire Department as the roads to Fire Chief will soon become reality.

For many years Benjamin ran as swiftly as he could to halt the calling of God upon his life. For he knew he was chosen to preach/teach the gospel. Under the leadership of Pastor U.L. Butts, July, 2002, Thomas would accept his calling to spread the gospel. He continued his calling under the leadership of Pastor Terry T. Tapley, July 2003- July 2017. During the 2016/2017 Annual Conference, he received his Local Deacon and Elder license, and was appointed Pastor of Greater Phillips Chapel CME, Church by Bishop Bobby R. Best.

Pastor Benjamin is married to Keona S. Benjamin, Director of Kidz Zone Greater Phillips Chapel. The couple wed December 18th 2010, and share two sons together Joseph and Asher Benjamin. The family resides in Lake Elsinore, CA.