Bishop Jocelyn Carita Thornton, M.Div., D.Min.

"I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
I will thank You forever because of what You have done.
In the presence of the faithful I will proclaim Your name for it is good."
Psalms 52:8b-9.

Bishop Jocelyn Carita Thornton is the General Overseer of Jocelyn Thornton Ministries International and the Apostle & Presiding Prelate of Ruach Ecumenical Fellowship. Prior to this assignment, Bishop Thornton served for 6 years as the Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Worship Center in Orland Park, Illinois. Upon the launching of Emmanuel, Bishop Thornton also became the first woman to plant a church in The Central Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Through her God given vision, the people of Emmanuel sought to bring hope, healing, and wholeness to humanity through innovative and creative ministry programs and initiatives.

A prophetic psalmist and preacher of the Gospel, Bishop Thornton's roots lie deep in educational leadership and spiritual development. A native of Chicago, Illinois she has served in various church leadership positions throughout the Midwestern and Southern states and co-labored with prominent men and women of the Gospel for over 20 years.

Bishop Thornton received the Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with a concentration in Finance, from Loyola University of Chicago, and the Master of Divinity degree from the James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. In May of 2011, Bishop Thornton was the first African American woman to receive the Doctor of Ministry in Preaching degree from North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Additionally, in May of 2011, Bishop Thornton was affirmed in the office of Apostle and oversees the Fivefold Church Fellowship under the leadership of Presiding Apostolic Prelate, Bishop Janice Fountaine. Currently, Bishop Thornton teaches as an adjunct professor for several universities across the United Stares and she is pursuing a PhD in Organizational Leadership, with a focus on Ecclesial Leadership, from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Through the vision of Jocelyn Thornton Ministries International, individuals all over the world will be transformed by the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Men, women, and children will be impacted by God’s Word and through God’s power, to live lives for God’s Kingdom and God’s glory.