Rod Thompson

Assistant Pastor / Leadership Development

Contact Pastor Rod


In 1990 Rod was called by God to head to Europe as a missionary with a focus on local church planting. He was involved in multiple church plants in Hungary, Serbia and Austria and was able to mentor and disciple many young pastors and leaders across the continent. From 1997 to 2005 he oversaw the Calvary Chapel Conference Centers and Bible Colleges in Austria and Hungary. After 15 years on the mission field Rod returned to America and served as a director at the Calvary Chapel Conference Center in Murrieta and at Reliance Church in Temecula as the Missions Pastor and overseeing Leadership Development. However, in 2019 the Lord had a new work planned for the Thompson family and they boarded a plane to go back to Europe where Rod served as the campus pastor at the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Montebelluna, Italy and in the local church in that city. After 3 years in Italy, Rod was called back to Temecula to join the staff at Reliance Church once again.

Currently, Rod serves as an assistant pastor at Reliance Church overseeing missions, leadership development, and the newly formed Calvary International Training Institute (CITI). His mission is to encourage and equip pastors and leaders from every nation, tribe, and tongue.

Get to know Pastor Rod!

What is your role at Reliance Church?
I serve as an assistant pastor overseeing missions, leadership development, and Calvary International Training Institute (CITI).

Describe your job in five words?
Make disciples of all nations!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to own a restaurant called “Rod’s Restaurant.”

Coffee, Tea, or Soda?
Not even a question, COFFEE!!

Go-to worship song?
“Make Us One” by REVO Collective

Who has had the most influence in your spiritual life?
Pastor Church Smith

Food you can’t live without?
Italian, Mexican, and Asian! I need them all!!!

Which Bible character would you most likely to be best friends with?
Apostle Peter

Favorite Quote of all time?
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” -Apostle Peter

What is your hope for Reliance Church?
That we can help raise up the next generation of Christian pastors and leaders!