Reverend Valerie Allen Thompson, the eldest daughter of Reverend Rudolph C. Allen, Sr., and the late Gloria Allen, is a respected leader with deep ministry roots. She was educated in the Muscogee County School System and furthered her studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Mercer University in Macon, GA, and The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA.

For more than 20 years, Rev. Thompson has served as pastor of Revelation Missionary Baptist Church. In December 2004, upon the retirement of her father, the church’s founder and longtime pastor, Rev. Rudolph Carter Allen, Sr., she inherited his pulpit, becoming the only female senior pastor among Missionary Baptist congregations in Columbus, Georgia.

She has preached extensively and spoken at numerous women’s conferences, workshops, and organizations. Her honors include the Community Service Award from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives; Woman of the Year from Ross Report News (Atlanta, GA); Woman of Courage from the Greater Columbus Business and Professional Women’s Club; the Lift Her Up Award from The Courier Eco; and the Trailblazer Award presented by the 41st Annual Black History Month Observance Committee, the Lambda Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Pastor Thompson serves on the Board of Directors of the Urban League of Greater Columbus and previously served on the Minority Board of Directors for the American Red Cross and the Community Development Advisory Council for the City of Columbus. She is a former Vice President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Columbus, Georgia. In 2019, she was appointed by the Mayor of Columbus to serve on City Council for District 4. After 150 years, she became the first woman to serve on the Cabinet of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia as Regional Vice President. Most recently, she became the first woman appointed to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., and now serves as Chief of Staff to its President. She is also a member of The Links, Inc., Columbus, Georgia Chapter.

She and Reverend Reginald A. Thompson are the proud parents of four children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Her life scripture is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”