Deacon Leonard Thompkins was born and reared in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the Philadelphia Public School system. He was among the first children in the city who were bussed to an all-white school during public school integrations in the 1960s.
 

During the 1960s, his life was profoundly impacted as he integrated with other cultures at a youthful age. Leonard continued through middle school and later graduated from Olney High School in 1974. In 1975, Leonard was accepted into Virginia State College (now University). He majored in Criminology and Sociology. Upon college graduation he returned to Philadelphia and began working with adjudicated youth in small group home settings. However, Leonard had a personal conviction and compelling desire to work with youth in the Southeastern states and relocated to Durham, North Carolina. While in North Carolina, he met the love of his life, Ivory, whom he married in 1985. 

In 1987, Leonard and Ivory relocated to Norristown, Pennsylvania, where they established their homestead and reared four young children. In Norristown, Leonard joined Theist Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Pastor Clarence Johnson. As God worked in Leonard’s life, he matured spiritually and on July 28, 2013, under the leadership of Pastor Abraham Wade, Jr., was consecrated as a Deacon. He served with dedication and commitment. And from that time until now, yet faithfully serves, under the leadership of Pastor Robert E.C. Jones, Jr., who was installed as pastor in May 2017. Deacon Thompkins also currently serves as leader of the Men’s Fellowship at Theist Temple. In addition, he serves in leadership roles in the Philadelphia West District, under Superintendent Dr. Jospeh Conner. Deacon Thompkins, too, has continuously served in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth’s Men’s Fellowship since its inception in the Commonwealth Jurisdiction, Bishop Guy L. Glimp, Prelate. In 2021, Deacon Thompkins was recognized by the national Men’s Department, Church of God in Christ, Memphis, TN, as “Deacon of the Year.” 

Deacon Thompkins attributes a part of his personal spiritual development to his wife, Evangelist Ivory Thompkins, who has remained alongside him as a supporter and encourager in his Christian walk. Deacon Leonard Thompkins loves the Lord and has a deep agape love for the Lord’s people. He aspires to be a beacon of light unto others in a shadowy world. Deacon Thompkins’s most cherished scripture is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”