Michael A. Milton, PhD

Dr. Michael A. Milton is an American Presbyterian minister, theologian, educator, author, military chaplain, and singer-songwriter whose career spans religious leadership, higher education, and military service. Milton has served as a pastor, broadcaster, musician, and retired U.S. Army Chaplain (Colonel), building a record of service across various institutions and locations. He holds a PhD from the University of Wales, a Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Seminary, a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Divinity from Knox Seminary, and a postgraduate certification in higher education teaching from Harvard University. Orphaned as a child and raised in a rural, economically disadvantaged area, Milton's personal journey from hardship to national prominence informs his perspective in ministry and public life. He began his career in Naval Intelligence as a top-secret cryptology linguist, transitioned to business management in two Fortune 50 organizations, and later pursued theological education.

Milton's pastoral career includes serving as the 12th Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, Kansas, established a Christian academy there, and planted additional congregations, including Kirk O' the Isles near Savannah, Georgia, and Trinity Chapel Charlotte in Weddington, North Carolina. Milton began as a pastoral intern under D. James Kennedy, later becoming President and Senior Fellow of the D. James Kennedy Institute of Reformed Leadership, and succeeded Kennedy as the Teaching Pastor on the nationally televised sermon broadcast "Truths That Transform." In higher education, Milton retired as Provost and James Ragsdale Chair at Erskine Theological Seminary, and previously served as Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Reformed Theological Seminary, president of the RTS Charlotte campus, interim president of RTS Orlando, and held the James M. Baird Jr. Chair of Pastoral Theology at RTS.

As an author, Milton has contributed to Christian literature and academic scholarship, publishing more than 30 books, including "Silent No More: Why the Church Must Speak Biblically to State and Culture." He researched, wrote, and presented a peer-reviewed paper on ethics education for the U.S. and British military, which was included in a major text by National Defense University Press, "A Primer on Military Ethics," and published as a monograph, "From Flanders Fields to the Moviegoer: Philosophical Foundations for a Transcendent Ethic." Milton has contributed to major projects such as Yale University's "The Jonathan Edwards Encyclopedia." He has served as keynote preacher for the National Preaching Conference and the International Congress on Preaching in Cambridge, England.

Milton's military service includes work as a Navy top-secret linguist and later as a Chaplain (Colonel) in the United States Army Reserves. He was appointed to the College of Military Preachers by the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army. Milton received the Legion of Merit, a presidential citation, and other honors, and was inducted into the Order of the Longleaf Pine, the highest award for service in North Carolina. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association invited Milton to write the theological affirmation for Billy Graham's final crusade, "My Hope."

In addition to his work in theology and ministry, Milton is a singer-songwriter and recording artist, having released five albums. He has appeared on national television broadcasts, been a guest on syndicated radio talk shows, and is frequently consulted as a public theologian. Milton's work combines pastoral experience, academic leadership, and creative artistry, contributing to ongoing conversations in American religious life, theological education, and military chaplaincy.