Ministry Leaders & Staff

Anthony JohnsonSenior Pastor

Anthony M.A. Johnson is an Atlanta, Georgia native. Anthony attended Covenant College and graduated with a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies and a minor in youth ministry. He then attended Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated with a Masters of Divinity with a concentration in Christian Education.

During his seven years in St. Louis, Anthony was a member of New City Fellowship University City, a multi-ethnic church, which serves the West End neighborhood Saint Louis, MO and served as a pastoral intern for 18 months. While at New City University City, he was on staff for various ministries in New City Fellowship, working with youth, seniors, adult education, outreach and mercy ministries.

In 2014, he moved to Chicago to help launch Harambee Chicago Foundation, a job training ministry that disciples youth through work. In seven years, Harambee Chicago has trained over 300 inner-city youth in hands-on work skills equipping them as leaders, while engaging them to understand God’s word and call more fully.

In the fall of 2021, Anthony accepted the call from New City Fellowship West End to return to Saint Louis to plant Hope Village Church in the North Saint Louis city area. He currently lives in the West End neighborhood with his wife Michelle and two young sons, Isaiah and Israel, and they are serving at New City West End in preparation to plant Hope Village Church in North Saint Louis, which was to be planted out of New City Fellowship West End.

As Pastor Thurman transition into his new role at Covenant Seminary, Pastor Anthony graciously accepted the call to lead New City Fellowship West End.

Schedule Meeting

Thurman WilliamsAssociate Pastor

Thurman currently serves as the Pastor of New City Fellowship – West End, a church plant of New City Fellowship in St. Louis. The church began holding public worship services in May of 2019. He also began in July 2021 as the Director of Homiletics at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis.

He previously served as Associate Pastor at Grace & Peace Fellowship (PCA) in St. Louis, MO from 2013 to 2018. Prior to moving to St. Louis in July of 2013, he was the Pastor of New Song Community Church (PCA),
in the Sandtown community of inner-city Baltimore, MD, beginning in February of 2000. Prior to that, he served as the Minister of Outreach and Youth at Faith Christian Fellowship Church (PCA), also in the city of Baltimore, for 5 years while completing his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree at Chesapeake Theological Seminary.

Thurman completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Covenant Seminary in St. Louis in 2011, with his dissertation entitled, “Christ-Centered Preaching in Hip Hop Culture” Before serving at Faith, he was on staff for 4 years with the ministry of Young Life.

Thurman has been married to his lovely wife, Evie, since 1997 and they have been blessed with four beautiful children, Charvez, Shaquana, Joshua, and Caleb.

Thurman has served on the PCA’s Mission to North America Committee from 2003-2021, including as chairman in 2018-2021. He currently serves on the Board of Covenant College and the Missouri Presbytery’s Credentials Committee and on the Reconciliation and Kingdom Justice
Committee and as an adjunct professor in homiletics and city ministry at Covenant Seminary.

Debra LovelessAdministrator

Loveless has been a member of NCF West End since it’s inception in 2019. She is a St. Louis native who grew up on the North side and graduated from Beaumont High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Boston University and a master’s in Public Policy Analysis from Claremont Graduate School. The semi-retired mother of three serves on the music and outreach ministries. She has worked as an administrative assistant for New City Fellowship since 2008. She has been married to Parker Loveless for nearly 40 years and they have four grandchildren. They also share an interest in local politics.

Jasmine LockettChildren's Ministry Director

Jasmine is originally from the Chicagoland area. She graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL with degrees in English and Education. She moved to St. Louis from central Illinois in 2021 where she previously served on staff with a college ministry called Campus Outreach. Most recently, Jasmine taught middle school at South City Community School. Currently, she is a graduate student at Covenant Seminary. Jasmine has loved being a part of what God is doing in the West End and is excited to serve as the Children’s Ministry Director. Jasmine enjoys reading good books, eating Chicago-style pizza, and spending time with loved ones.