Stepping Into the Shoes of a Giant: Where Do I Go From Here?

By Charmyn S. Thourogood

Stepping Into the Shoes of a Giant is about Pastor Adam, who was a giant in stature. He exemplified love, forgiveness, accountability, fulfilling God’s call, and making heaven his ultimate goal. He desired to do all that was required of him and please God in all he did. His life inspired many others to do the same.

God has a purpose and a plan for our lives, and sometimes the outcome is not what we want.
Romans 8:28 then comes alive within us and states: For we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Understanding the importance of patterning our lives with God’s word and following Godly leaders is essential while doing what is necessary to please The Father.

After all, was said and done, my late husband always quoted a song “Only What You Do for Christ Will Last!”

My goal is to do what my beloved husband did: please God by doing all that is required of me so that I, too, can make it to heaven in peace!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781794838642

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Stepping into the Shoes of a Giant is about a giant like none other. This book is dedicated to my late husband, Adam L. Thourogood, Sr. He is worth more than this book a thousand times over, and I will do my best to celebrate him in truth.

Adam is responsible for the title of this book. After the sudden death of his uncle, Bishop Barnett Karl Thoroughgood in 2012, Adam was inspired to write about his journey when he became the successor and assumed the role as senior pastor of New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Bishop Thoroughgood was the founder and senior pastor of this great church for over forty years, and he was a giant of a man indeed. He played a significant role in our lives and the lives of many across the nation. Unfortunately, Adam did not get the chance to write his book about his uncle and the responsibilities ahead because of his sudden and tragic death three years later. I immediately knew I was to start my healing process by sharing my life’s story and the love connection and experiences Adam and I have always had throughout our lives. The role Adam once had to lead our family is now mines. I’ve learned to continue to be resilient, diligent, humble, steadfast, loving, having a heart to please God, and to continue to strive to make heaven my home such as Adam did.

I didn’t realize it would take me seven years to complete this project. With twists and turns of laughter, tears, trauma, sleepless nights, and uncertainty, I stand proud to bring glory to God and to speak of Pastor Adam. I did not write this book because my husband died, but I wrote about him because he lived. Adam was a man of integrity and was adamant about maintaining a good name. He never once boasted of the responsibility that was placed in his hands. He was humbled in the things of God, and he represented Him well. Adam was a good steward in the assignment that God had given him, even if it was for a short period. If he did boast, he boasted in God, and it was to bring glory to The Father of His mercies, grace, blessings, and favor.

Adam’s life spoke for itself. He accomplished the task God required of him, and it didn’t start when he became a pastor. Every opportunity he had, he showed the plan of salvation of God to believers and non-believers alike; he sowed seeds of love and was honored to be Christ’s hands extended. Adam was a hard-working family man, a businessman, a Godly man full of wisdom, a praying man, and a true leader. Indeed, he is the giant I’m speaking about. I am Stepping into the Shoes of a Giant, and I celebrate his life well-lived.

I want to honor my children, Adam (AJ) II and his wife Melanie, Charnell and her fiancé Raymond, Jessica and her husband Jeremy, and Aaron, who stuck by my side to keep life going, and my brothers, James, and William, who Pastor Adam and I raised. They taught me on-the-spot life lessons. I want to honor Adam’s parents, Otis Olando & Sylvia Patricia Thourogood, my mom, Lena G. Dunbar, and my brother, William Lil Billy Dunbar, my Dunbar, Shorter, and Thourogood/Thoroughgood family, Adam’s second mom, Godmother Sharon McAllister, aka Grandma Sharon Mac Attack.

A special thanks to my sister-in-law, Vanessa Thourogood, who immediately stepped in to help, Dr. Katrina Carter & Family, Pastor Jasper & First Lady CookieWillis (Zion Word Restoration Ministries), Apostle Terry & First Lady Faleece Williams (Light of the World International Ministries), the late saintly Mother Charletta Thomas (who confirmed and saw the vision of this project before I shared it with anyone), First Lady Darlene Gatlin Echols, Reginald R. Smith (my comrad & FedEx advisor); to my sisters from another mother, Tira Hills and Kimberly Thourogood; to my big sister in the Gospel, Elder Tammy Platt-Gibbs, to the Benjamin Family, and to all my family and friends who have sent up continued prayers for my children and me. Thank you to everyone who has ever reached out to my children or me to uplift and encourage us. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank Dr. Lawanne' Grant and her team, The Leadership DevelopME Company, for guiding me through the publishing process of this project. Her expertise and wisdom helped me not to abort my assignment, and she encouraged me every step of the way. Thank you, Woman of God!

Blessings to each of you.

Come along on my journey. A journey I never thought I would have to endure… My path and my truth.

Chapter 1

A Rich and Firm Foundation

April 21, 2015 at 3:46pm

Adam noooooooooo!

I was screaming at the top of my lungs.

Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh my God! I was sitting in my husband’s pick-up chevy truck as I watched the tractor flip upward and backward, and then there was a loud thump.

Lord, nooooooo!

My mind was racing. God, please tell me this isn’t happening! Tell me this isn’t happening. It felt like my screams were the only sound that penetrated the air. So many thoughts were running through my head as I ran to Adam. What am I going to see? He can’t be crushed under the tractor. Oh, my God, what if he’s smashed beyond recognition and blood is everywhere?

I didn’t think I wanted to see, but my feet wouldn’t let me stop running toward him. More and more thoughts clouded my mind. God can’t allow something terrible like this to happen. Not now! Not my God who heals, not my God who loves, not my God who saves, and certainly not my God who protects from dangers seen and unseen. Please, God! Are you really letting this happen? I mean, seriously, what just happened? There was a stillness in the air as if the heavens had snatched Adam’s soul away. His body just laid upside down, pinned inside the tractor as I knelt beside him on the ground, screaming his name and crying my heart out. Blood trickled from his nose as his lips tremored so slightly.

Adam No!

Adam Lavell Thourogood, Sr. was a giant indeed. He was full of wisdom beyond his years and always expressed his desire to please God and be ready when He comes. When God called him on April 21, 2015, Adam was ready! Adam was born to Otis Olando and Sylvia Patricia Thourogood. He was the second born of seven children OT , Karl , Katina, Amy, Andre, and Patrese. Adam’s family comes from a long line of preachers, missionaries, singers, chefs/cooks, entrepreneurs, and business professionals. His father and uncles were exceptional cooks, both respected and admired worldwide. They cooked for church events, families, communities, and state affairs.

Adam and I both attended the New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in the Seatack community in the heart of Virginia Beach, Virginia. We have deep roots in the Church of God in Christ denomination, and I appreciate the rich foundation of true holiness and learning of God’s love for all that this church gave me.

Our families grew up respecting and reverencing Bishop B.K. Thoroughgood. He was a prolific and prophetic gospel preacher and teacher who taught us to live what we speak, teach, and preach about. He always said that God’s word could stand independently, without adding or taking away from it. Bishop Thoroughgood’s spiritual gifts were evident, and his favorite saying from his father, the late great Pastor John Thourogood, was, I like milk, but I like to drink milk from a clean glass. In other words, if you preach to me and tell me to live a respectable, clean life, you must live that life yourself to be an effective leader and witness for Jesus Christ. The New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ was a beacon of light throughout the Tidewater area, and Bishop taught us to serve God and be faithful in all we did to please The Lord. He taught us to revere the church because it was a sacred sanctuary to come before God and offer praise to Him. We also learned that the sanctuary and the Holy altar were not to joke and play around. It was a place of reverence, reflection, and respect for the sovereignty of God. People worldwide would come through the church doors looking for God to heal their body, mind, and spirit. They came looking for a way out of their problems because they knew God was at New Jerusalem COGIC in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

People were careful how they entered the doors of our church because the spiritual gifts of our leader and the saints were highly manifested. They would discern and call out sickness, healing, various problems people faced, and sin. I remember Bishop Thoroughgood calling the youth to the altar because some were in a rebellious state. I was one of the younger teenagers on the altar, and as Bishop was talking to us and instructing us to praise the Lord, some of the older teenagers didn’t want to do what they were asked to do. They were half clapping their hands and rolling their eyes, as if they didn’t want to be present. Bishop continued to tell the young people that God was real, and they must not have a bad attitude when standing on a holy altar. He said some young people had criminal mindsets and needed the Lord to help them. The others continued to show no interest, and I remember the younger teenagers, including myself, started acting like the older teenagers. Bishop and the saints were praying and calling on God until the lights went out and the entire church went black. The blackout throughout the church sent a fear like no other to every young person standing on the altar. My eyes got so big because I couldn’t see my hands in front of me. I was saying Yes Lord repeatedly and clapping my hands vigorously because I knew the Lord had come back for His saints, that the rapture had taken place, and we were left behind. I could hear the other youth praising the Lord and clapping their hands harder than before, and I’m sure they felt like I felt. A few minutes later, the lights finally came on, and I could see the tears rolling down the faces of everyone else and the seriousness in their faces. There was a lesson learned for us that day: When we come to church, we should always remain humble, respect the house of God, and bring glory and praise to Him.

Adam and I had been in each other’s lives since we were children. We were good friends, but there weren’t too many other activities outside of the church that we were involved in. The church was our recess, our playground, and our life. We were always at church, whether it was mid-week noonday prayer, mid-week nightly services, revivals, or various conferences, such as the family, leadership, or women’s day conferences. It made us love the church and revere the things of God. We would have our annual three days and three nights fast to do a shut-in in the church. I would get so excited because this would be when Bishop Thouroughgood would call the entire church to come together for three days and three nights to pray for our church, country, leaders, and families. Services would start Wednesday night at seven o’clock with an opening prayer and teachings on the meaning and purpose of fasting.

We were taught that denying oneself everyday privileges like food, television, and favorite activities and dedicating to a time of discipline and structure would allow us to enter the spirit realm and hear from God. Bishop would give specific instructions to those with illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer to get approval by their doctors on how to proceed during the fast. Children joined the fast as well. My mom would let us eat breakfast and lunch at school, but we had to fast and give God some time when we got home. There was no eating, drinking, television, or anything of that nature. We had to read a scripture each night and have a short bible study with mom before going to service.

Bishop let us know that we had to want more of God to experience His supernatural presence that would change the lives of those who believed in Him. Bishop based his teachings on the scripture Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. He instructed the preachers and missionaries to stand across the altar to pray with him while he anointed the congregation with anointing oil. Each person would be anointed individually, and sometimes God would give Bishop a word to the saints. Once those to be anointed and prayed for by all the church leaders came to the altar, the fast would have officially begun. When the first session of the service ended, Bishop would turn the service over to one of his assistant pastors. As we got older, Bishop would give the services to Adam to lead the rest of the service each night. Those who didn’t have to work would stay overnight and pray, sing, and read scriptures until the presence of God was evident and manifested.

Adam led the team of preachers and missionaries who prayed and tarried overnight. Thursday and Friday evening services began just like the first night of the fast as Bishop continued teaching the word of God and the purpose of seeking Him. Most people and their families stayed overnight on Friday. Hence, the congregation was larger, and we all could feel the anticipation as we drew near the homestretch of the fast. The endurance and the excitement of being together in prayer with the saints would swell as we knew a mighty move of God would be evident. Children had blankets and pillows to lay on the pews, and the saints dressed warmly. Many would take their shoes off, putting on warm thick socks to be comfortable as they walked around. The deacons would dim the lights for the rest of the night as the prayers went forth. Some saints would be weary and worn because of the lack of food and water. Their bodies would be weak, but when the saints started praying and calling on God, their energy level would pick up and they would gain renewed strength. There were segments of singing, worshipping, and victory testimonies of those who wanted to share with the church. There was also a segment when the saints would pop up one by one, quoting their favorite scriptures, and the spirit of God would fill the atmosphere. People would get their healing and deliverance and receive the answers from God they’d been waiting for. Deacon Foster, a prolific deacon in the Body of Christ, would take on the last stretch of the Saturday morning service and lead us into prayer and praise. When four and five o’clock in the morning would come, it seemed like the heavens would open in the sanctuary, and God’s presence would be so powerful that all we could do was bow before Him and worship.

Adam would close the service at six o’clock on Saturday morning, so everyone could rest and prepare to return to the finale. In the meantime, Mildred MiMi Thourogood, Bishop’s mother, and her team of cooks were in the kitchen preparing beef soup with cornbread and crackers for everyone coming off the fast together. Years later, Adam’s parents took over preparing the beef soup. I believe the saints were even more excited to receive such a glorious meal from great cooks. The church would be filled as we were fed spiritually and physically. The soup lines were long, and we had a choice of crackers or a slice of cornbread. Most of us would bring an extra box of crackers to enjoy the soup more. My mom always prepared soup at home during the fast so we could continue eating what we were served at church when it was over.

All official leaders and licensed missionaries were vested in their Class A robes, and missionaries wore their habits and dresses. When we entered the sanctuary, there would be long tables with big bowls of red apples piled up and individual cups of water displayed on every table display on the floor of the lower altar. Bishop started the service promptly at six o’clock in the afternoon regardless of who was on time or not. He would open the service with a song as we all praised God for bringing us through. Bishop would ignite the service by bringing the congregation to a praise celebration for God, bringing us through the three days and three nights fast. He would then instruct the deacons and the missionaries to come to the front and sanitize their hands. They were given specific sections to go to throughout the sanctuary.

As the