Pastor Eddie Thornton has been united in holy matrimony to the former Betty L. Johnson since October, 1968.  He is the father of three daughters: Stephanie, Tina and Sherrie.  Eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren have been born into the Thornton family.  Pastor Thornton was educated in the Elbert County school system and Kilmer Vocational School of Edison, New Jersey.  He is also a graduate of the Extension Program of the Interdenominational Theological Center.  He has served two charges:  Wilkes Circuit, Washington, GA (1973-1982) and Flat Rock CME Church (1982 to present)

The Flat Rock CME Church dates back to 1869.  Located in the rural community of Hartwell, GA, the first regular meeting of Flat Rock CME Church were held under a "Brush Arbor." The church was named "Flat Rock" because of the geographic structure of the earth and rock beds of Little Coldwater Creek which runs approximately 300 yards from the church's present site.

Pastor Thornton has served Flat Rock since August 1982.  The following are some of the accomplishments under the leadership of Pastor Thornton:

• Building of Sunday School rooms and conference room in 1992
• Installation of central heat and air conditioning and remodeling of sanctuary in 1995.
• Paving of parking lot in 1997
• The church has consistently been one of the fastest growing CME Churches in Georgia.
• The crowning achievement thus far has been the construction of the Flat Rock Family Life Center.  The spacious Center faces the Flat Rock Church across the highway.  The Center houses a gymnasium/auditorium, a banquet room with a fully equipped, commercial kitchen, office spaces, three classrooms, and a physical fitness room on the first level.  Upstairs, there is a conference room and two balconies that overlook the gymnasium.
• The gymnasium was officially named the Eddie Thornton Christian Fellowship Center on July 28, 2002. The spacious Family Life Center serves the wider Hart County community in a number of services and ministries.
• The Flat Rock Church offers a full array of ministries designed to serve all ages and to speak to the full gamut of human concerns. These include a fledgling Sunday School and Bible studies, children, youth, young adult and senior ministries.