Pastor Michael Dwain Pryor

Pastor Michael Dwain Pryor was the youngest son born to the lineage of the late Founding Pastor, Dr. George Wynn Pryor, and Founding First Lady Sister Alma Jewel Pryor on June 24, 1965. Pastor Michael Pryor delighted in telling the congregation the intriguing story of his father delayed by the police when he was enroute to the hospital to see his wife and new baby (Michael). He expressed satisfaction as he seized the moment sharing, he was the very first baby born after the opening ordination of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

The instant Pastor Michael laid eyes on Stephanie; he knew she was destined to be his wife. Pastor Michael Pryor and Stephanie Betts married on February 11, 1989. They were so close to making 35 years. Together, they built a strong and loving family. Pastor always affectionately told the New Birth congregation how he wanted Stephanie and his relationship remembered. His biblical saying was, “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine.” They were a team and partners in the work of the Lord. She labored lovingly at his side while working in the Children’s Church and the Music & Fine Arts Ministry. Although a husband, father, and grandfather, as our Shepherd, he faithfully fed us the Word of God, pouring life lessons into us and giving us biblical wisdom and teachings to live by “where the rubber meets the road.” He provided well for his household and reared his children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, teaching them the importance of keeping Christ as the center of their lives. He was a doting grandfather, known affectionately by his grandchildren as “Big Daddy.” Home and family meant everything to Pastor Pryor. He loved his family passionately, with all his heart. Pastor Michael Pryor is a native of Dallas, Texas, and a graduate of David W. Carter. After High School, Pastor Pryor attended Mountain View College where he received an Associate’s Degree. He then pursued a degree in Engineering at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. But God placed a burning yearning on his heart to study His Word so that he could preach the gospel. Therefore, he left Texas Tech and the pursuit of earning an Engineering degree and came home to Dallas to enroll and commute to The University of Texas at Dallas to acquire an Education Degree. Upon acknowledging his call to the ministry in 1987, he then enrolled in Southern Bible Institute. This led him to the campus of The University of Texas at Arlington to take an exam, and lo and behold, he crossed paths with the beautiful Stephanie Betts for the second time. He saw her for the first time when she was fifteen, but she was not interested at that time. Their eyes met on the campus of UTA while taking an exam in 1987. They were a couple from that point on! He often told this emotional story to his congregation. Pastor Pryor’s academic preparation included: Criswell College – Master of Arts in Christian Leadership; Dallas Baptist University – BA Degree in Pastoral Ministries in 1994; and Southern Bible Institute – Degree in Theology. Additionally, he attended the University of Texas at Dallas and Mountain View College. Pastor Michael has always been an extremely diligent worker. He started working at the age of 8 years of age for his Uncle James Harrison who owned and operated an Asphalt Company and continued as an employee until he was eighteen. He held positions with: American National Insurance Company, Sales Agent/Accounting; Dallas Independent School District, Substitute Teacher; Frito-Lay and Co., Sanitation Technician; Harrison Asphalt and Paving, Estimator; United Parcel Service, Car Washer/Detail Specialist; and G&D Laundry Cleaners, General Manager. During the early years of marriage, he was a Substitute Teacher for Dallas ISD and worked weekends on a midnight shift at Frito Lay in the Sanitation Department. After working all night, he would attend all the Sunday Services, beginning with the 7:50 AM Service and concluding with the 5:00 PM Service. He