Who we are

Poreuomai is a global missions movement that encourages everyday believers to take the journey of discipleship, evangelism, church mobilization and revitalization.


At its core, Poreuomai exists to:

  • Go – embodying the Greek poreuomai, meaning “to journey, to go forth with purpose”

  • Multiply Disciples – equipping and releasing believers to disciple others

  • Revive Churches – breathing life into struggling congregations through Spirit-led renewal

  • Mobilize Missionaries – sending believers to live missionally across neighborhoods and nations

At Poreuomai, our mission comes to life through M.O.S.T.:

  • Missions is the heartbeat of Poreuomai. We’re committed to partnering with churches and other organizations to fulfill the great commission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and promote the great commandments to love God with heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors.

    We facilitate missions trips locally and globally. Trips may include evangelistic crusades, Vacation Bible School, personal evangelism, medical outreach and leadership development.

    Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

    Evangelism is the call to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ with boldness and compassion. At Poreuomai, we believe the gospel is for every nation, tribe, and tongue. Through evangelistic crusades, personal outreach, and creative media, we seek to make Christ known so that lives are transformed and communities are renewed. Our desire is not only to share the message but to embody the love of Christ in word and deed.

    “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14)

    Discipleship is the lifelong journey of following Jesus and growing in His likeness. Poreuomai exists to equip believers to not only know Christ deeply but to walk faithfully and disciple others. We invest in Bible teaching, mentorship, and leadership development so that every believer is rooted in Scripture and empowered to reproduce disciples who make disciples. Our vision is multiplication that strengthens churches and advances the kingdom.

    “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2)

  • Organizational Support is about strengthening the structures that sustain ministry. At Poreuomai, we partner with churches, schools, and ministries to help them fulfill their God-given purpose. This includes leadership coaching, strategic planning, and administrative support designed to move organizations from where they are to where God is calling them to be. We believe that healthy structures create space for Spirit-led growth and lasting impact.

    “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18)

    “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)

  • Spiritual renewal is vital for the health of both believers and congregations. At Poreuomai, we partner with churches to host renewal seminars, provide personal intervention when needed, and create environments where the Holy Spirit brings fresh life. Our desire is to help restore first love for Christ, strengthen struggling congregations, and equip leaders to guide their people into Spirit-led renewal that endures.

    “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6)

  • Training is the process of equipping believers to live out their calling with excellence. Through the Poreuomai Academy, leadership seminars, and hands-on ministry opportunities, we invest in the growth of disciples, leaders, and missionaries. Our vision includes preparing the next generation of gospel workers by offering biblical teaching, spiritual formation, and practical ministry skills. Looking ahead, we aspire to host seminary students and interns for immersive training, raising up laborers who are ready to serve Christ both locally and globally.

    “…to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:12)

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Poreuomai is to engage the church to transform the world by making disciples of Jesus Christ, demonstrating love for God and neighbor.

VISION STATEMENT

A global movement of Spirit-led believers who carry the Gospel into every sphere of life—reviving dying churches, discipling the next generation, and bringing the presence of God to every community we enter.

CORE VALUES

1. Take the Journey – Obediently go where Jesus sends you.

2. Live Sent – Every believer is a missionary.

3. Disciple Deeply – Real transformation takes root through authentic relationship and Scripture.

4. Revive What’s Dying – God still breathes life into declining churches and forgotten places.

5. Serve Locally, Reach Globally – Mission starts at your doorstep and flows outward.

Meet the Team

raphael thomas
Founder & president

velda thomas
co-Founder & missions Director

  • Raphael Thomas accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour in childhood, and from a young age felt the call of God to ministry. At age 20, he began serving as Pastor and Elder of the Annotto Bay Gospel Chapel in St. Mary, Jamaica, where he ministered faithfully for 32 years. During that time, he founded the Gospel Chapel Education Centre, a school that continues to impact lives through Christ-centered education.

    Raphael has also provided leadership on a national level, serving as Executive Director and Chairman of the North-Eastern Missionary Conference, representing 33 assemblies, and as Vice Chairman of Christian Brethren Assemblies Jamaica (CBAJ). He holds credentials in Teaching (Diploma in Teaching), Theology (BA), Ministry (MA and Doctor of Ministry), and Christian Counselling (Doctor of Christian Counselling).

    An accomplished teacher and preacher of the Word, Raphael has taught at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology and is widely respected as both a gifted communicator and author. In recognition of his contribution to education, he was awarded the National Award by the Prime Minister of Jamaica in 2017.

    Today, Raphael serves as an Elder at Germantown Christian Assembly in Philadelphia, PA, where he leads in evangelism and discipleship. He also ministers as a hospital chaplain, combining his pastoral heart with his training in counselling. Through Poreuomai, he is committed to equipping believers, raising up leaders, and carrying forward the mission of Christ to the nations.


  • Velda Thomas came to know the Lord as her Saviour in childhood and began serving early in her home church, Ocho Rios Baptist Church in St. Ann, Jamaica. She held leadership roles as Youth President and later as Chapter Director of Ocho Rios Youth for Christ, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to discipleship and missions.

    A registered nurse by profession, Velda also holds degrees in Biblical Studies (BBS), Counselling (MA), and Education (MEd). She served as Principal of the Gospel Chapel Education Centre for 16 years, where she shaped the lives of students with a Christ-centered vision for education. Her leadership extended beyond the classroom into the wider church, serving the Annotto Bay assembly and the North-Eastern Missionary Conference in many capacities, including Camp Nurse, Sunday School Superintendent, Cell Group Leader, Worship Leader, and Women’s Leader. She also served as Regional Coordinator and Secretary for the National Executive of the Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association, and as a Justice of the Peace in Jamaica.

    Today, Velda continues her passion for equipping others through teaching and missions. She is part of the International Faculty of Haggai International, trains leaders as an instructor at the American Language Center, and coordinates the ESL program at Germantown Christian Assembly in Pennsylvania. Through her role with Poreuomai, Velda brings together her gifts in education, counselling, and discipleship to empower believers and mobilize missions worldwide.

  • Raphael and Velda have been married since 1992 and were commended to full-time Christian service that same year. With more than thirty years of faithful and distinguished ministry, their service has made a lasting local, national, and international impact. Both have served on the International Faculty of Haggai International, equipping leaders around the world with the vision of ending gospel poverty.

    In 2017, they founded Poreuomai (formerly Blessing Basket International) in Jamaica, with a mission to equip believers and strengthen churches for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Today, through Poreuomai, they continue to mobilize leaders and partner with churches globally to carry the message of Christ to the nations.

    Raphael and Velda reside in Pennsylvania with their two sons, Timothy and Nathanael. Both sons love the Lord and are engaged in ministry: Timothy serves through preaching, teaching, and creative media, while Nathanael produces Christian electronic music under the name Fission, using music as a platform to share the gospel. Together as a family, they share a passion for making Christ known among the nations.

Board Members

poreuomai Board - USA

Mr. Lloyd Fields, Chairman
Germantown Christian Assembly, Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Raphael Thomas, President

Mrs. Velda Thomas, VP & Missions Director

Mrs. Georgette Goldson, Events Coordinator
Shiloh Gospel Chapel, White Plains, NY

Mrs. Elizabeth Woodburn, Secretary
Grace Gospel Chapel, Harlem, NY

Mr. Derrick Thomas, Technology
Lay Pastor, Fresh Start Church, Glen Burnie, MD

Ms. Debbie-Ann Hyde, Treasurer
Shiloh Gospel Chapel, White Plains, NY

poreuomai Board - Jamaica

Elder Alfred McDonald, Chairman
Marverley Gospel Hall

Elder Alfred McDonald, Chairman
Marverley Gospel Hall

Rev. Mark Dawes, Vice Chairman
Grace Missionary Church

Dr. Raphael Thomas, President
Germantown Christian Assembly, Philadelphia, PA

Mrs. Velda Thomas, Vice President/Secretary
Germantown Christian Assembly, Philadelphia, PA

Mr. George Kennedy, Treasurer
Elim Gospel Hall

Dr. Claudette Prendergast, Events Coordinator
Ocho Rios Gospel Chapel

Miss Yvonne Brown, Admin. Supervisor
Philadelphia Life Centre Advisors

Dr. Donovan Thomas, Director
President, Choose Life International

Dr. Isaac Brown, Director
Chairman, North-Eastern Missionary Conference (NEMCO), Jamaica