Raphael Thomas accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour as a child. From age 20, he served as Pastor/Elder of the Annotto Bay Gospel Chapel, in St. Mary, Jamaica for 32 years, during which time he founded the Gospel Chapel Education Centre. He also served as Executive Director and Chairman of the North-Eastern Missionary Conference (33 assemblies) and Vice Chairman of Christian Brethren Assemblies Jamaica (CBAJ).

Raphael holds credentials in Teaching (Diploma in Teaching), Theology (BA), Ministry (MA and Doctor of Ministry) and Christian Counselling (Doctor of Christian Counselling).

He is an adjunct teacher at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology. He is an author and gifted preacher and Bible teacher. In 2017, he received a National Award from the Prime Minister of Jamaica for his contribution to education.

Currently, Raphael is an Elder at Germantown Christian Assembly, where he serves as Director of Evangelism and Discipleship. He also serves as a hospital chaplain in Pennsylvania.

Velda came to know the Lord as her Saviour as a child. She served as Youth President at her home church, Ocho Rios Baptist Church, St. Ann, Jamaica, and as Chapter Director of Ocho Rios Youth For Christ.

A registered nurse by profession, Velda also holds degrees in Biblical Studies (BBS), Counselling (MA), and Education (MEd). She served as principal of the Gospel Chapel Education Centre for 16 years in addition to serving in various capacities in the local assembly at Annotto Bay and regionally among the assemblies of the North-Eastern Missionary Conference. These include Camp Nurse, Sunday School Superintendent, Cell Group Leader, Worship Leader, Secretary and Women’s Leader. She served as Regional Coordinator and Secretary for the National Executive of the Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association. Velda also served as a Justice of the Peace in Jamaica.

These days, Velda is part of the International Faculty of Haggai. She is an instructor at the American Language Center and also coordinates the ESL program at Germantown Christian Assembly in Pennsylvania.

Raphael and Velda got married in 1992 and were commended to full-time Christian service in the same year. With over thirty years of faithful and distinguished service their ministry has had significant local, national, and international impact. Both Raphael and Velda served as International Faculty with Haggai International which is committed to ending gospel poverty. Raphael and Velda currently lead Blessing Basket International, a missions organization which they founded in 2017 in Jamaica to enhance the fulfilment of the Great Commission locally and globally through partnerships with local churches and other like-minded organizations.

Raphael, Velda, and their two sons, Timothy and Nathanael, reside in Pennsylvania. They have a passion for making Christ known among the nations.