On Sunday, July 13, 2025, we are honored to have Rev. Dr. Michael Stinson preach a message to Morrow First UMC. 

Native Atlantan, Rev. Dr. Michael D. Stinson is the second of three sons born to Emily and Charles Stinson, Jr. He is a life-long member of Warren Memorial United Methodist Church, having been baptized there by his grandfather, Rev. Charles S. Stinson, Sr., the senior pastor at that time.

Steeped in academic excellence, Michael graduated as valedictorian from Peyton Forest Elementary School and as top male in a class of 206 from Southwest High School. He continued his academic pursuits at Howard University where he graduated cum laude in three years with a degree in Zoology and in 1984, received his medical degree at Howard University College of Medicine. Dr. Stinson remained in Washington, DC to complete his internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) at Providence Hospital.

In 1985, Dr. Stinson was assigned as the Brigade Surgeon for the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served for two years before continuing his medical training in Ob/Gyn at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Stinson completed his residency in Ob/Gyn and remained at Fitzsimons as a staff physician while completing his military obligations.

After his tour in the military, Dr. Stinson returned to Georgia and practiced medicine for the next 10 years. In 2000, he walked away from medicine and started a new career path in the field of engineering. He was employed at the Georgia Department of Transportation for seven years, resigning as a Design Review Engineer 2. During that time, he participated in Disciple Bible Study for two years that put him on another career path. Obedient to the Spirit he entered Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center and graduated May 13, 2006 with the highest honor as valedictorian. Rev. Stinson now pursues his ministry, full-time, as an Elder in Full Connection in the North Georgia Conference having been ordained June 16, 2010.

On May 1, 2006, Rev. Stinson officially assumed the role of Senior Pastor of Poplar Spring United Methodist Church, his first assignment. During his tenure, the first steeple in the church’s 139-year history was erected; Disciple Bible Study was initiated; Confirmation Class was reinstituted; and many needed repairs were made to the church and to the 83-year-old Rosenwald School building.

On July 1, 2007, Rev. Stinson began serving as the Senior Associate Pastor of the Ben Hill United Methodist Church. His duties included the Care, Outreach, and Evangelism Ministries, as well as serving as the Administrative Pastor for the church. He also restarted Missions, and Disciple and Men’s Bible studies.

From 2012 until July of 2018, Rev. Stinson served as the Senior Pastor of Bethel UMC – Atlanta. Under his leadership, mission trips were taken to several locations in the US and abroad. Also, the sanctuary, six rooms, and the parking lot were refurbished; an organ, a commercial stove, and an ice maker were purchased; and a free community garden was established. He is an international preacher having spread the Gospel in Haiti, Kenya, and the Dominican Republic.

From 2018-2019 he served as Associate Director of Congregational Excellence with a focus on Black Church Excellence and diversity education across the North Georgia Annual Conference.

On June 20, 2019, he assumed the duties of Pastor in Charge of East Point First Mallalieu UMC. Although COVID hit the world in March 2020, EPFM never missed a Sunday worship as he immediately started online worship from his dining room. Although the building was closed, the church never stopped being the church. In coordination with the City, EPFM had weekly food giveaways for more than a year providing over 1 million pounds of food to those in need. EPFM was one of the first (and was the longest running) weekly COVID testing sites in the City. Because of the community involvement during his tenure, the City recognized EPFM with the “Going the Extra Mile” award and he received the first ever Community Champion Award given by the Atlanta branch of the NAACP in 2022.

Rev. Stinson continues to serve the Conference as the Chair of the Equitable Compensation Committee. Previously, he served with the Multi-Ethnic Cohorts and on the Resolutions Committee, Black Congregational Development, Higher Education & Campus Ministry, Georgia’s Pastors’ School, and the East Africa Bridge.
Dr. Stinson’s civic endeavors include being Chaplin of the South Fulton Running Partners and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Previously he has served on the NAACP–Atlanta Branch Executive Committee, the Wesley Foundation at GSU, and Fulton County on the Personnel Board and the Homeless Continuum of Care. He also chaired the Board of Directors of Not One More Life (an asthma screening and education initiative) for 10 years.

Rev. Stinson is married to the former Patricia Neal-Tyler and is the proud Bonus Dad of Syntara Tyler. His hobbies include running, golfing, skiing, swimming, and all sports.

Rev. Stinson has dedicated his life to Christ to be used however, whenever, and wherever He so desires. He draws inspiration from his biological family – especially the legacy of his grandparents, Rev. C. S. & Willie Stinson, Sr. and Willard & Ola Mae Davis – his church families, and his friends.