DR. THOMAS L. MURRAY

Dr. Thomas Lewis Murray is the founding and Senior Pastor of Anointed Temple of Praise Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee.


On January 2, 2000, the first formal worship service of the Anointed Temple of Praise was held at the Marriott Hotel. This was a high time of praise as the church celebrated a “New Ministry for a New Millennium.” Since that time, Anointed Temple of Praise has grown by leaps and bounds. In March 2002, the church was able to purchase the former Evangel Church at 3939 Riverdale. Since moving into our church home, there has been continuous development in ministries and outreach programs, including Radio Broadcast Ministry, Community Services, Health Fairs, and much, much more. In August 2003, we were blessed with another accelerated anointing with the purchase of 8 acres at 3915 Riverdale Road. Future Expansion include: Community Worship Complex, Life-Long Learning and Retreat Complex, Senior Day Complex. Anointed Temple of Praise is now affiliated with the Christian Church, (DOC) since 2020.

Prior to establishing ATOP, Pastor Murray served many flocks, including First Christian Church of Lynwood, CA, twice at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, TN, New Covenant Christian Church (Formerly Gay-Lea) in Nashville, TN, Vermont Christian Church in Flint, MI. He is currently involved in the Hickory Hill Community with various groups that provide collaboration between law enforcement, businesses, faith-based organizations,

neighborhood watches, schools, and the citizens of Memphis, TN trying to meet the holistic needs for change. He is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.


A native of Jefferson County, Alabama, Murray is the youngest son of five children born to the late Reverend Earl Murray Sr. and Roberta Murray. He attended Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, and pursed his studies at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. Accepting his call into the ministry, Pastor Murray studied at Texas Christian University (Brite Divinity School) and later at Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, where he received his Master of Divinity Degree. He successfully completed his Doctorate of Ministry Degree at Memphis Theological Seminary. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the TN region of The Christian Church (DOC) and chairs

the new church start committee of The Christian Church Tennessee region. Dr. Murray also serves on the commission on ministry for the Christian Church TN region and has also served as an adjunct professor at Memphis Theological Seminary. Dr. Murray is married to the former Kim Jones of Chicago, Illinois. They are blessed to have two daughters, Tiara La’shai Murray and Tiffany Latrice Richmond. They have four grandchildren: Deion, Jordan, Noah, and Carter.

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