LONDONDERRY - Although the search continues for a permanent pastor at Londonderry Presbyterian Church, local parishioners have a lot to be excited about these days.

On Sunday, Dec. 30, guest preacher the Rev. Milton Thomas will spread the good word during the church's 10:30 a.m. Sunday service.

"It's been a challenge finding people to serve in the pulpit," parishioner Nancy Wimmer said. "But it's always wonderful to hear some new voices."

The church has been without a pastor for nearly two years, following the departure of interim pastor the Rev. James M. "Skip" Macaulay.

Thomas, a 40-year resident of Nashua, holds a degree in business administration and marketing management, having owned his own high-tech marketing firm in the 1980s and early 1990s.

During that time, Thomas said he was called to the ministry and he enrolled in the Boston University School of Theology, earning a masters of divinity degree.

He went on the earn his doctorate of theology, followed by another master's degree in sacred theology.

Thomas was ordained in 1994, and served for seven years as pastor of the Third Baptist Church in Lawrence, Mass.

In 2000, he founded New Life Christian Ministries in Lowell, Mass.

As the current director of Religious Services and Protestant chaplain for the Middlesex County Sherriff's Office, Thomas said he's found much inspiration in his work inside both the Cambridge jail and the Billerica House of Corrections during the past 12 years.

Those experiences have inspired his current dissertation, "Free On The Inside: A New Found Freedom from Recidivism for Repeat Offenders through Grieving Loss."

"Unresolved grief in repeat offenders is a major factor for (repeat prison sentences)," Thomas said.

The married father of two and grandfather of four said he lives his life inspired by the Joshua 24:15 verse: "As for me and my house, we serve the Lord."

The Londonderry Presbyterian Church is located at 126 Pillsbury Road, across the street from Town Common. For more information, call 434-2113.

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April Guilmet may be reached at AGuilmet@newstote.com.