Reverend, Doctor Kevin Murriel
The Reverend Doctor Kevin R. Murriel is a biblical scholar and arguably one of the greatest visionaries and orators of this generation. He is a native Mississippian and a 2008 graduate of Jackson State University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration also being named as the 2008 “Student of the Year” for the College of Business. Dr. Murriel received his Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Duke University–also being named by the Dean and doctoral committee as the Degree Marshal of the 2014 doctoral cohort–the youngest person and first African American in the program’s history to receive such a designation. An Elder in Full Connection in the North Georgia Conference, Dr. Murriel currently serves as senior pastor of Cliftondale United Methodist Church in College Park, Georgia. He formerly served as associate pastor at Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia where he gave leadership each Sunday to the 11:30 a.m. Intergenerational Worship Experience.
A dynamic preacher, avid reader, and social activist, Dr. Murriel’s research focuses on translating the methods of the Civil Rights Movement into a modern day strategy for social justice and racial reconciliation. His doctoral dissertation titled, Unveiling Racism: Racial Reconciliation and a Heterogeneous Model for American Christian Life, takes strategies deployed during the Mississippi Church Visit Campaign of 1964 to desegregate white churches and offers the Church universal a formula for racial reconciliation, hope, and progress.
Dr. Murriel is the author of two books and is the founder and owner of Redd House Publishers, LLC, a publishing company committed to producing and distributing Christian books that make a difference in academic, social, and ecclesial arenas. Dr. Murriel’s newest book, “Breaking the Color Barrier: A Vision for Church Growth through Racial Reconciliation” was named to the 2015 Hot New Releases List on Amazon and addresses the growing need for churches to model reconciliation in a racially divided society.
Since accepting his call to ministry at age 18, Dr. Murriel has shown a significant record of helping people live with confidence by encouraging them to develop and maintain a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. He is a community leader and faithfully serves on several boards which include, the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA, the Georgia Higher Education Commission, the Atlanta College Park District Committee on Ministry, and the North Georgia Board of Congregational Development. For leading the church with the highest percentage growth from 2015-2016, Dr. Murriel received the 2016 Denman Award for Evangelism in the Atlanta College Park District.
A few of his other endeavors include being President of Students In Free Enterprise at Jackson State, leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Jackson State, organizing Empowered Youth of America at Trinity UMC, mentor for the Youth Theological Initiative at Emory University, Candler Coordinating Council 2nd Year Representative, North Georgia Conference Witness Team, North Georgia Young Clergy Task Force on Social Media, Atlanta College Park District Youth and Young Adult Coordinator, and a participant in the 2014 New Church Leadership Academy. Dr. Murriel has also served as Chaplain for the Day at the Georgia State Senate.
Dr. Murriel is married to the love of his life, Dr. Ashleigh Murriel, a native of Atlanta, Georgia and they are the proud parents of their daughter, Scarlett Grace. They serve as the executives of The Murriel Foundation, Inc., a 501c(3) non-profit organization committed to developing young leaders from minority populations.
Dr. Murriel is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and the creator of the Path 180 app, a mobile ministry app that includes sermons on demand, inspirational podcasts, writings on issues of social justice and much more. Path 180 is available free on the iTunes Store and the Android Market.
All in all, Dr. Kevin R. Murriel is a young man who loves the Lord and loves to help others. His motto in life is “Live God, Love God, Follow God; and in all things, stay the course!