The day following the funeral of General Overseer A. J. Tomlinson, the State Overseers met, in accordance with Assembly recommendations, to select a new General Overseer for the Church. This Presbytery meeting began at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 7, 1943. They chose A. D. Evans as the moderator and Harper Hunter, Jr. as the recording clerk. The meeting proceeded in an orderly fashion with great unity and love and with the Holy Ghost’s presence in the midst, inspiring and directing their deliberations. The brethren soon reached a consensus that Milton Tomlinson, the younger son of the late General Overseer, be selected as his replacement to lead the Church until the next Assembly. At one point in the meeting, it was suggested that S. O. Gillaspie, a loyal supporter and confidant of A. J. Tomlinson, should be selected to serve until the next Assembly, with Milton Tomlinson serving as field secretary to gain some experience. Brother Gillaspie said that he would rather not be considered for the position but would be just as willing to serve under the leadership of Milton Tomlinson as he had done under his father. The Holy Ghost spoke and said, “Bring forth the younger son.” The presbytery immediately gave their approval to the selection of Milton Ambrose Tomlinson to serve as General Overseer until the next General Assembly, at which he was selected by Assembly acclamation. A large group of Church members and friends were waiting outside the General Headquarters offices in front of the Assembly Tabernacle to hear the news. At 1:30 p.m., Brother M. A. Tomlinson came out of the building to greet the crowd. Homer Tomlinson (Milton’s older brother) made the announcement and presented the new General Overseer to the anxious crowd.
M. A. Tomlinson had been a deacon for many years at the local church in Cleveland, TN, where he was a member. He was employed by the White Wing Publishing House as a printer until he was appointed to serve as pastor of the church at Henderson, Kentucky, in 1942. Four days after being selected as General Overseer, he was recommended for licensure as a bishop and was ordained on October 11, 1943. He was married to the former Ina Mae Turner and was the father of two daughters; Wanda Jean (Edwards) and Carolyn Joy (Thornton). He was 37 years of age when he became the General Overseer; just one year younger than his father had been when he began to lead the Church in 1903.
He served the Church faithfully as General Overseer for 46 years, from October 7, 1943, until May 2, 1990, when his health would not permit him to continue serving. Everyone acquainted with his leadership could sense that he was God’s man for the hour. He had a humble demeanor and a servant spirit, and the Church grew and prospered under his leadership. He was a friend and brother to everyone of every rank and class, and he had an uncanny ability to remember the faces and names of people he met over the years. He gave attention to small details as thoroughly as he did to larger projects.
Brother M. A. Tomlinson guided the Church through the final court action that changed the name of the Church to “Church of God of Prophecy.” A series of major building projects which resulted in moving the Church Headquarters from Central Avenue to Keith Street began in 1967 with the purchase of a 41 acre tract of land in the north area of Cleveland, where a new Publishing House, Assembly Tabernacle, Headquarters building, and a Communications building were constructed. He also spearheaded the establishment and construction of a Church college beginning in 1966. The Church orphanage program was also expanded under his leadership. He stepped down from his leadership position in May, 1990, due to his failing health. He was called home to his reward on April 26, 1995, at the age of 88 years. He was greatly loved and missed by all who knew him.