Glenn Thomason, who believes “age is just a number, not a hindrance,” recently completed a Ph.D. at the age of 72.

Pursuing an advanced degree in pastoral ministries was on the vocational evangelist’s “bucket list,” and he says it was something he wanted to do not only to improve his educational background but “to keep my mind from deteriorating.” Moreover, he plans to follow up on the experience by writing a book on the subject of his thesis — a comparison of emergent and traditional churches.

Thomason, an Anderson resident who has been a pastor and evangelist in South Carolina and Georgia for 49 years, is still fully active in ministry. He speaks in churches and at conferences whenever invited, and he has a television program, “It’s All About Jesus Evangelistic Ministries,” which airs on local-access cable TV.

“Retirement is out of the question,” he said. “I am in good health and plan to continue to serve the Lord until I go home to be with him or until he comes and gets me.”

Thomason said he is concerned about the decline of traditional churches, many of which are “even being forced to close their doors and sell their property.”

“I believe these churches can make a comeback by preaching the gospel and through one-on-one witnessing in the community,” he said, adding that the approach was “the method through which my wife and I were saved 52 years ago and which I promoted in my pastorates.”

“I would like to be part of that comeback movement, for the glory of God,” he said.

Thomason earned his Ph.D. through Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary of Daytona Beach, Fla. He also holds two other post-graduate degrees, as well as an associate’s degree from Anderson College and a bachelor’s degree from Southern Wesleyan University.

He and his wife LaVerne have three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They live in Anderson and are members of Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley.

Thomason has a website: www.itsallaboutjesusevangelisticministries.com.