Rev. Dr. Wilma J. Hastings

Reverend Dr. Wilma J. Hastings, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, is a devoted servant leader with a lifelong commitment to ministry, education, and community outreach. She is a graduate of Beulah Heights Bible College in Atlanta, where she completed her undergraduate studies. She earned her Master of Arts in Ministry with an emphasis in Christian Education from Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia, GA. In 2017, she completed a Master of Divinity at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and in June 2025, she was awarded her Doctorate in Ministry.

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Rev. Dr. Hastings accepted her call to ministry in 1995 and was both licensed and ordained in the Baptist denomination. She currently serves in the United Methodist Church and is the pastor of the Barnesville Parish in the Griffin District. She previously served as the part-time local pastor of Hosanna United Methodist Church in Griffin, GA.

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A passionate preacher and teacher, Rev. Hastings is deeply rooted in the Great Commission and calls on all believers to go forth and serve, demonstrating their faith in tangible ways within their communities. She lives by Luke 18:1: "Humanity ought to always pray and never give up," and her ministry is marked by prayer, service, and a deep love for God and people.

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Rev. Dr. Hastings has a heart for families, women, and children. She is known for her work outside traditional church walls, bringing youth into the community to model service and leadership. She has ministered in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, orphanages, youth detention centers, women’s prisons, and various underserved communities. Her evangelistic reach extends to public spaces like Grady Hospital, Little Five Points, grocery stores, salons, and neighborhoods, offering prayer, the Gospel message, and invitations to church.

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She has provided prayers at U.S. Army Reserve Command promotion ceremonies and is a retired federal employee with over 27 years of service at the Department of the Army and U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort McPherson. She also has 10 years of experience in private industry.

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Rev. Dr. Hastings is actively engaged in civic and spiritual leadership roles. She is a member of the Concerned Black Citizens of Clayton County and Ministers of Clayton County. She holds a certificate in Correctional Ministries from the American Chaplaincy Training School and has served as a Chaplain intern with New Century Hospice. For over 14 years, she has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), representing the best interests of abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system.

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She founded and led the “Girlfriends Leadership and Mentoring Program of Clayton County,” a 501(c)(3) initiative dedicated to empowering young girls. She also volunteers with Clayton County Public Schools and has shared the Gospel through various media outlets, including a local TV broadcast and a year-long radio show, His Secret Place, on WAEC Love 86. In 2015, she received the Humanitarian Award for her impactful outreach ministry.

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Rev. Dr. Hastings is married to Rev. Elliott Hastings. Together, they reside in Jonesboro, Georgia. They are the proud parents of three sons, three daughters-in-law, ten grandchildren, and honor the memory of one beloved grandson now with the Lord.