The Georgia-Cumberland Conference (GCC) is excited to announce Kim Thompson as the new vice president for education. Thompson has been serving as the superintendent for the central region for the last 12 years, and is looking forward to, with the help of her team, carrying on the legacy set before her.
Thompson taught in the public school system for 22 years. After becoming an Adventist in 1998 and sending her son to Ooltewah Adventist School (OAKS) she fell in love with Adventist education. After finishing her master’s degree, she was asked to be the new principal at OAKS, where she served for six years in her first Adventist school. After that, she accepted the role as the central region superintendent.
“As a child of a high school teacher and school nurse, it’s always been ‘others before yourself’ and a willingness to do whatever you need to for your kids,” said Thompson. “[The students] are all our kids and they’re all our responsibility and our gift to enjoy, appreciate, and nurture.”
Thompson carries this mindset of servant leadership into her job, where she feels called to be a supporter of Conference schools and teachers.
“My job is to be our schools’ cheerleader. When they need help, I help — but not to point out what they’re doing wrong, but to celebrate them. My goal is to carry on what’s been started and to see our schools grow, and also to answer the call for what teachers are needing. I’m very lucky to have such an incredible team who are also extremely dedicated to this mission.”
“Kim is skilled, experienced, and dedicated to the Lord’s work,” said Kevin Kossick, former vice president for education. “The [Conference] education workforce trusts her and she trusts them. It will be easy for the Lord to bless a leader who works hard, efficiently, and quickly. I couldn’t be happier with the selection.”
“I am excited to welcome Kim to our [Georgia-Cumberland] ADCOM team,” said Gary Rustad, Conference president. “I know that she will continue the excellence that the teachers, students, and schools are known for. Kim brings a wealth of educational excellence to this position and, most importantly, a passion for each of our students to know Jesus on a deeper level.”
“We always talk about the three-legged stool,” said Thompson. “You’ve got church and home, but you need a third leg. Too many of us use the world as that third leg, not Adventist Christian Education. We shouldn’t take for granted the privileges we’ve been given, and that it does take all of us to make these schools happen. The biggest thing is that we’re growing our neighborhoods in Heaven. All of us can give our children something — it may be through tithe and offering, prayer, or a birthday card ministry. They are our children, but more importantly, they’re His children, and we’re to be partners with Him.”
Georgia-Cumberland | June 2025
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