The Dr. Michael S. Stewart becomes only the eighth president of the college since its 1919 beginning 85 years ago. He succeeds Dr. David R. Hopkins, who retires after 22 years as president.

“Coming to Emmanuel is a homecoming for me,” says Stewart who served as associate pastor of Franklin Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church from 1988 to 1990. “I am committed to the values and the future of the college.

“Emmanuel College's best days are ahead as we pursue quality academics in a distinctive Christian atmosphere,” Stewart says. “We are empowering men and women who are highly skilled in their professional fields but also have outstanding moral values, integrity and a sensitivity to the spiritual.

“This changing society needs the kind of young people Emmanuel College is producing,” adds Stewart.

A 1977 and 1979 graduate from Emmanuel, Stewart holds a bachelor’s degree in religion from the college’s School of Christian Ministries and is an ordained minister in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC). He earned his master’s in counseling from Liberty University and a post-graduate certificate from Beeson Institute of Advanced Church Leadership. Stewart will complete his doctorate in 2006 in ministry/leadership from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri.

He and his wife Pam have two sons, Justin and Joshua.

Stewart moves to Georgia from North Carolina, where he has served as the executive director of ministry since 2001 at the state's Council of the Assemblies of God in Selma.