Testimonies
Andre C Thomas
In 1994 I along with six other gentlemen went on a men's ministry trip to Washington DC and were blown away with what we witnessed. We saw men of God on their faces calling out to God for change, change in their lives the way they were living, change in their families, change in their neighborhoods. God was really doing something. I didn't know nor did I understand at that point, I just knew I needed it! I had to be involved! After that, promise Keepers asked us to be point men and be more involved in ministry to men. I knew then this was a call on my life and things had to change, change how I lived, my thoughts, and my dreams. They say if you want to truly know about a man's life, ask their wives. I did and I saw the pain in the face of mine. I knew something had to change. As time went on I got involved and took many ministry trips, met many men of God and went through a change. This took time and I still made many mistakes in life but I knew if I had a chance I would have to make God the center of my life. Since then I made adjustments got more involved in changing the lives of men and looked to my Heavenly Father for all of my needs.
James B Thompson
James was called to prison ministry and started mentoring adolescents in the RI Training School in the late 90’s with the help of Pastor Mike Kropman. He eventually started mentoring young Men at the ACI with the Christian-based program, Mentoring Concepts and Services.
As the Mentoring Concepts and Services program ended, God opened another door in the form of Rhode Island Men of Hope. James has been a member of the Rhode Island Men of Hope since 2012.
Outside of volunteering at the prison, James teaches at a school for children with Learning Differences. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and holds a Masters in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University.
James has been married for 15 years and has two daughters.
James has a passion to see men do well and become the men God called them to be.
Darrell Comena
Darrell is one of the founding members of Rhode Island Men of Hope. In 1995 a group of men from varies churches began to pray together for the men of RI to go to a Promise Keepers conference in Washington, DC and that formed a task force to help train and connect the men in Rhode Island and other New England states.
Currently part of the Bible Study Fellowship International men’s bible class. An Elder, he and his wife Cynthia continues to actively serve alongside the men and women ministries of Christian Hill Community Church of West Warwick where they have been members for the last 30 years. They have three adult children. Both of them have been volunteers for Promise Keepers Men’s Conferences in the past, serving in the northeast region and beyond.
Darrell has worked as an engineer since 1987 for General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation currently located in Groton, CT and he is often called upon to officiate at special events like Veteran’s Day and the National Day of Prayer.