Valerie K. Thornton is a Kansas City author, pastor, teacher, ministry leader, and inspirational speaker dedicated to faith, healing, restoration, and spiritual growth. She has served as pastor of Rosser-Simpson CME Church in Kansas City, Missouri, and is the founder of At His Feet Ministries. Through worship, prayer, biblical teaching, and Christian service, she encourages individuals and communities to develop a deeper relationship with God and live with greater purpose.
Pastor Thornton is the author of Church Advance Forward, Boots on the Ground: A Clarion Call to the Church, which challenges Christians to carry God’s love beyond church walls and serve their communities. Her additional works include Wounded Nation: Call to Restoration—Black Diaspora and Wounded Nation Devotional: Healing the Soul Through Scripture, History, and Forgiveness. These publications explore spiritual healing, cultural restoration, forgiveness, identity, and the power of faith to transform lives.
Through her ministry, teaching, speaking, and writing, Pastor Thornton connects biblical wisdom with personal experience and cultural awareness. Her uplifting message inspires readers to overcome spiritual wounds, embrace their God-given purpose, strengthen their families, serve others compassionately, and become ambassadors of God’s love. She remains committed to helping people move forward with hope, courage, understanding, and renewed faith.
KC Book Beat connects Kansas City authors, readers, bookstores, and book lovers through literary events, workshops, resources, and community programs. Discover local books, meet area writers, and celebrate Kansas City’s growing literary community.
MCPL’s ReadLOCAL collection celebrates authors living in the Mid-Continent Public Library service area. Explore locally written fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, poetry, memoirs, and more.
The Kansas City Public Library’s Local KC Authors collection highlights talented area writers and illustrators. Explore children’s books, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and stories connected to Kansas City.
The SCBWI Kansas–Missouri Region supports children’s book writers and illustrators through workshops, conferences, professional resources, networking opportunities, and a welcoming creative community across both states.
The Writers Place supports Kansas City writers and readers through workshops, readings, networking, and youth and adult programs that encourage creativity and celebrate the written word.
The Kansas City Booksellers Association supports independent bookstores, promotes literacy, and strengthens the region’s literary community through collaboration, events, and community engagement.