The Mission-Minded Minister

Doug Mulkey has a passion for making God’s name known among the nations.

He has a reputation for being a teaching pastor.

And he has a pretty impressive mug collection.

"For 17 of the 20 years I've run in the Peachtree Road Race, I had a streak going where I placed and got a mug for being in the top 1,000 finishers," said the pastor. "That ended two years ago.”

Running is the minister’s hobby—the only one he has time for, other than yard work and being a grandfather. Family time is important to the father of three. He has two married daughters who each have two children, and a 21-year-old son about to leave for a nine-month mission stint in South Africa.

Mission work is a common interest between father and son. Mulkey’s church recently sent a team of 25 to minister in Haiti. Twenty-three were adults—the largest group of adults dispatched from Mt. Zion to a foreign field. The focus on missions has steadily grown during the pastor’s 22-year tenure at the Canton-Hickory Flat church.

Mulkey credits a churchwide study of a David Platt book called Radical with the increased passion among his congregation for helping others. The book spells out what it means to be a disciple for Jesus.

"I would highly recommend anyone to read it," he said. "It would be difficult to read the book and not be stirred."

Community involvement also has increased, with members starting an automotive ministry that helps widows and single moms, and serving at the Hope Center for women facing unplanned pregnancies. The church partners with Hide and Seek Day Camp, a summer Christian outdoor-adventure day camp for children ages 5-11. Sessions are held on church property, where young campers enjoy zip lines and rock climbing walls.  

Mt. Zion will sponsor a road race on Labor Day—the Hickory Flatout 5K, a fundraiser for the day camp. Last year, 334 folks signed up and they’re hoping to double that number this year.

Perhaps it’s time for Mulkey to start a new streak.

ABOUT DOUG MULKEY

Age: 56

Personal: Married to Terry for 37 years, children Kim, Sarah and Matthew.

Hobbies: Running

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Mercer University. Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

ABOUT MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

Mt. Zion is at 4096 East Cherokee Dr. Sunday school is 9:45, services are 8:30 and 11 a.m. For information, call 770-479-3324 or go to www.mtzb.org.