Pastor Stephen L. Murphy, Sr.

Pastor Stephen Louis Murphy Sr. is a passionate and visionary leader, unwavering in his devotion to Almighty God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A man of faith, integrity and purpose, his journey with Christ began at the remarkable age of five when he boldly accepted Jesus as his Savior, received the gift of salvation and was baptized at St. Phillips Missionary Baptist Church under the late Pastor Theron Hodges, Sr. From that moment, his life has been a testament to God’s grace, shaping him into a powerful preacher, servant leader and advocate for Kingdom advancement.

As he grew in ministry at St. Phillips, Pastor Murphy dedicated himself to serving under the leadership of Pastor Alvin D. Hodges, Sr. in various capacities, including Associate Minister, sound technician, musician and youth leader. His deep commitment to ministry and service laid the foundation for his calling to pastoral leadership.

A firm believer in the power of education, Pastor Murphy has always prioritized academic excellence and continuous learning. A 2009 graduate of Lamphere High School in Madison Heights, MI, he excelled both academically and athletically. He was a distinguished track and field athlete, earning AAU Track & Field All-American honors and setting an enduring MHSAA Division II state record in the 400-meter dash (47.9 sec.), a testament to his discipline, perseverance and commitment to excellence.

Dedicated to expanding his knowledge for effective leadership in ministry and community service, Pastor Murphy has pursued higher education with a focus on theological studies, leadership development and organizational management. His commitment to lifelong learning underscores his passion for equipping himself and others with the tools necessary for impactful ministry.

In December 2009, Pastor Murphy answered the divine call to ministry. On October 31, 2010, at the age of 19, he preached his initial sermon and was licensed for ministry that same evening by Pastor Alvin D. Hodges, Sr. and the St. Phillips Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. From that pivotal moment, he has remained steadfast in his divine mandate, growing in wisdom, faith and leadership.

Pastor Murphy is a proud and active member of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Pontiac, MI, under the mentorship and spiritual guidance of Rev. Dr. John D. Tolbert. His passion for shepherding God’s people led to his unanimous election on September 22, 2019, as Pastor of Oak Park Missionary Baptist Church in Ferndale, MI. During his tenure, he provided strong, visionary leadership, navigating the church through the challenges of the global pandemic while maintaining a steadfast focus on spiritual growth and community outreach. He faithfully served Oak Park until June 2022.

On June 21, 2022, Pastor Murphy accepted the call to serve as the seventh and youngest pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle in Flint, Michigan. In addition to his pastoral leadership, he is actively engaged in various community and organizational roles. He serves as the Executive Director of The Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation, Chair of the Board of Directors for The CPSA Flint Courier Newspaper, Co-Director of the Youth & Young Adult Auxiliary for the Wolverine Baptist State Convention of Michigan, and Vice-President of the Board of Directors for WAY Academy in Flint.

Born on April 3, 1991, Pastor Murphy is married to “his good thing,” the former Miss Sharonne Pettus. Together, they are the proud parents of four wonderful children.

Pastor Stephen Louis Murphy Sr. passionately preaches the Gospel, makes disciples and serves with unwavering faith, transforming lives for God’s Kingdom.