Dr. Paul B. Tinlin of Springfield, Missouri went to be with the Lord on April 9, 2024. Paul was born to Rev. Edgar and Muriel (Begg) Tinlin on June 3, 1934 in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. He spent his teenage years in Toronto, Canada where his father pastored. After graduating high school, Paul attended Peterborough Pentecostal Assemblies Bible School for one year. He went on to complete his four year Ministerial Degree at Central Bible College, in Springfield, Missouri in 1955. There he met Elizabeth “Betty” Zimmerman, and they were married Sept. 26, 1959, after graduation. Paul completed a Masters of Ministry (M.Div.) at Memphis Theological Seminary in 1972. He then completed his Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.) at Trinity Theological Seminary in 1986.
Paul’s first ministry position was Christian Education Director at Central Assembly of God in Springfield. Soon after that he took an Assistant Pastor position in Wichita, Kansas. Paul and Elizabeth were then called to plant a church in Waterloo, Iowa from 1961-64. They then went on to Lexington, Kentucky First Assembly of God from 1964-1970. After six years in Lexington, Paul and Elizabeth moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he pastored Whitehaven Assembly of God for three years. In 1973, Paul was called to Evangel Assembly of God in Schaumburg, Illinois where he was the first full-time pastor, and remained there for over 31 years.
In 2004, Paul retired in Springfield, where he and Elizabeth became caregivers for Elizabeth’s mother.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Muriel Tinlin; sister Thelma Phillips and brother John Tinlin. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Elizabeth C. Tinlin; his daughter Katherine Elizabeth Tinlin; his son Paul Edgar (Tara) Tinlin, Jr.; granddaughter Elizabeth Abigael Tinlin; great-granddaughter Grace Elizabeth Tinlin and a host of family and friends.
A visitation for Paul will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Springfield, from 10-11a.m. at Central Assembly of God, with a celebration of Paul’s life at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made in Paul’s name to Seasons Hospice.
Rev. Tinlin’s celebration of life will be simulcasted at livestream@centralassembly.tv.