Pastor Spreads Message In Harrisburg: Patch Community Leader

HARRISBURG, PA — Without community leaders, Doylestown wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Regina Gail Malloy, a Harrisburg reader who nominated Dr. Melvin Thompson, III.

How do you know this community leader?

Dr. Thompson is my pastor.

What does this community leader do?

Dr. Thompson is the senior leader of All Nations Church-Harrisburg. He began serving the community of Harrisburg as a pastor at the age of 22, and he has faithfully led, fed, and discipled a dedicated community of believers for 18 years.

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

Dr. Melvin Thompson, III is a compassionate, faithful, and philanthropic leader who has dedicated his life to serving others in the city of Harrisburg and beyond. For the past 18 years, Dr. Thompson has consistently given to the community of Harrisburg various outreach programs including offering free gas, free laundry services, and free school supplies to anyone in the community.
There were no requirements (of church membership) or expectations (of being proselytized). Dr. Thompson freely gave away the services to ANYONE who came.

Most recently, Dr. Thompson expanded his giving heart while on a mission trip in Ethiopia. He was so moved by the extreme poverty conditions there, that he made a pledge to build an orphanage in Ethiopia during the pandemic, and as of August 2023, the orphanage is 90 percent complete.

At just 39 years of age, Dr. Thompson has been successful in reaching the underserved with his humble approach to sharing the message of love and redemption from those who were in prison and are re-entering society, to those who are recovering from substance abuse. No matter where they have been or what they have done, Dr. Thompson has arms stretched wide to love and welcome ALL.

Dr. Thompson currently serves as the senior leader of All Nations-Harrisburg (with two locations), All Nations-Charlotte, and has recently launched All Nations in Trinidad & Tobago.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

Dr. Melvin Thompson III is one of the most humble, integral, giving, and honorable young men of his generation. He is a rare gift and the city of Harrisburg is the better because of him.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out? Nominate them here.