Dr. Shelton Murphy was born in Smithfield , North Carolina on December 19th, 1958 to the late Sam and Louise Murphy.  He is the youngest of seven boys and four girls.  In 1981, Dr. Murphy married Doris Annette James, and from that union God blessed them with one son, Shelton Josiah Murphy, 19 years of age.

Dr. Murphy attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh , North Carolina where he received his B. A. Degree in Communications (Interpersonal Communications and Public Relations).  His Masters of Divinity was received in December of 1986 and the Doctorate of Ministry in December of 1990, both from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest , North Carolina .

Dr. Murphy committed his life to Christ in the summer of 1977, while alone by his bedside after much prayer.  Since that time Dr. Murphy has been a sold out worker for the Lord.  He loves God and the people of God.  His faithfulness to God is displayed in the numerous positions he has held.  Some of which include Campus Pastor for the United Student Fellowship, N. C. State University, Raleigh, N. C., Chaplain at the Harnett Correctional Institution, Lillington, N. C. and Chaplain at the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Petersburg, VA.  From there he completed a Chaplain's Residency at the University of Virginia Medical Center and later served as a Rehabilitation Counselor at the Haynesville Correctional Institution in Haynesville , VA.

Dr. Murphy was commissioned as a LT in the United States Naval Chaplain Corp in January 1994.  During Dr. Murphy's tenure in the Navy some of the his military assignments included:  USS L.Y. Spear (AS-36), Norfolk, Virginia, April1994 - September 1996; TAD - USNS Comfort, Kingston, Jamaica; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, May 1994 - September 1994; USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) September 1996 - November 1997; Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, November 1997 - November 2000; and was selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander in August 2000.

Although selected to the rank of LCDR, on November 9th, 2000, Pastor Murphy answered the call of God to be the Pastor and Under Shepherd of Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church.  Serving a faithful God, Pastor Murphy was promoted to LCDR on 1 July 2001.  Pastor Murphy's love for preaching and teaching the Gospel has already become evident with increased congregational attendance during 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning services, Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible Study.  The vision "Making Disciples Through The Transforming Power of Jesus Christ" is certainly making a tremendous difference in the life of the church.  The people of God are very excited about making disciples and are glad to promote that Mount Gilead is a place where "Christians are born and Disciples are made!"  Because of the favor of our Great God and the great vision of making disciples, Mount Gilead has risen to the challenge of building a new multi-million dollar educational building and multi-purpose facility.  It's only been four years since Pastor Murphy has taken the reigns, but through his inspirational, motivational and innovative leadership Mount Gilead has taken off and is growing in quality and quantity by leaps and bounds.  What a Mighty God we serve!  To God be the GLORY!!!

To contact Dr. Murphy for Leadership Seminars, Pre-marital or Marriage Seminars or Men's Conferences call 757-853-3721 ext. 200 or drsmurphy@mount-gilead.com.