With hearts of gratitude for a life spent in service to God, we mark the homegoing of Elder Paul Joseph Milstead, who was born January 6, 1948, and left this life on March 14, 2026. He faithfully dedicated his life to the work of the Lord.
Elder Milstead spent many years traveling and evangelizing in churches, preaching the Gospel wherever doors opened and ministering to congregations and communities along the way. With a calling upon his life and a burden for the Kingdom of God, he later founded First Apostolic Church in 1978, where he faithfully served as pastor and spiritual leader for 43 years, until his retirement in 2021.
Those who knew his ministry understood that preaching the Word of God was not simply a role he carried-it was the center of his life. He believed deeply in the order of his commitments: God and the Church first, his wife second, and his children third, a principle that guided both his ministry and his life. His preaching carried conviction, his prayers were fervent, and his ministry touched many lives through the power of the Gospel.
Standing faithfully beside him throughout his years of ministry was his wife of 54 years, Judy Ann Milstead, who served alongside him in the work of the church.
He is survived by his children: Paula Phillips (Mark) of Boynton Beach, Florida, and Paul (PJ) Milstead Jr. (Tylinda) of Westville, Oklahoma; four grandchildren: Allyssa Tobitt (Wesley) of Miami, Florida, Paul (Trey) Milstead III (Breanna) of Seymour, Missouri, Emily Beecher of Delray Beach, Florida, and Victoria (Tori) Senne (James) of Rogers, Arkansas; seven great-grandchildren: Khloe, Dexter, Annalise, Kaelynn, Adalynn, Amelia, and Winston.
Elder Milstead will be remembered by many as a preacher of the Apostolic faith, a man committed to the truth of God’s Word, and a pastor who spent decades serving the church and sharing the Gospel. His life’s work in ministry impacted congregations, communities, and individuals who heard him preach and witnessed his dedication to the call of God.
Though his earthly ministry has now come to its close, the seeds he planted through preaching, prayer, and faithful service will continue to bear fruit.
As the Apostle Paul wrote:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” -2 Timothy 4:7
He has preached his last sermon, prayed his final prayer, and fought the good fight-but heaven has gained a faithful servant who has now received his eternal reward.
Visitation will be 5-8 PM Thursday, March 26, 2026 at First Apostolic Church in Farmington, AR.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 27, 2026 at First Apostolic Church, Farmington, AR with Pastor Robert Phelps officiating.
Interment will follow in Farmington Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in honor of Elder Milstead and in support of the church he faithfully founded and pastored for many years. First Apostolic Church-Building Fund, PO Box 1645, Farmington, AR 72730. The man of God has laid down his earthly mantle, but the message he carried will continue to reach souls for generations to come.
He was a great man!!! With arms open all the time💜if you needed a hug he knew! I’m so blessed to be able to spend his last days with him💜you sure will be missed!!!
Paula,
Praying for you and your entire family during this difficult time. Our heart felt condolences are with you now and in the days ahead.
One of the Greatest Men Of God to walk this earth…My first Pastor.
To Judy and their children: my condolences to you all. It was my privilege to have known you since the late 70’s. We had many wonderful experiences together in our California days. I am deeply saddened by the news of his passing.
Paula, my heart is saddened by the pain you and the family are feeling with this great loss. I pray our great Lord will shield you and the family from continued hurt and allow the healing of hearts to begin. Sending love, hugs and prayers to all.
My condolences and prayers for the family.
Paula — wrapping your family close in prayer. May God’s love be of comfort. And may your father know eternal rest in God’s tender care.
PJ and Paula,
Our family connections go back to our childhood, when our parents were younger then than we are now. There are some good memories there. We love you guys and pray for God’s loving, keeping hand to remain upon you and give you peace. Let’s stay connected. Please reach out if ever we can do anything for you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Bro. Milstead was one of my favorite preachers that would come through with his family and preach for my Uncle Gilmer in Fort Stockton, Tx. What a good man. ❤️
So sorry for your loss, but God knew he was tired n needed to come home.
He’s not suffering any more n m sure he’s happier there then where he was here!
God ease your hearts n rejoice like the bible says for us to do!
Love hugs n prayers to all the family
My oh my what a great man of God! Paul Milstead was a great example of faithfulness and loyalty, a man of principle and integrity! I owe him a very personal debt of gratitude. My father was blessed to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost during a revival in South Bend IN Christ Temple Apostolic Ch, when Eld. Milstead was preaching. Thank you Elder for minding God that night! Praying for all those you have left behind that they may join someday around the throne of God!
Bro. Paul Milstead followed his faithful father into Apostolic ministry. He, with his wife, once preached a revival for Calvary Apostolic Church, Denver. A good shepherd, he gave his life entirely for the flock of the Great Shepherd. My prayer is, as he followed the life his parents lived before him, his heritage will continue to follow. Prayers
Paula – you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I pray for your peace and comfort. Sending love and hugs💕
A mighty man of valor fought a good fight! Our family had the greatest privilege having set under the ministry of an “Apostolic Legend” for 20+ years! Bro. Milstead will be GREATLY missed! We will forever cherish the principles, doctrine and passion for truth that he instilled in our hearts! Bro. Milstead was a giant of a Pastor yet in the latter part of his life he was such a friend to our family.
Many prayers of comfort to the entire family during this time of loss.
Although, it’s sad for the family at the loss of a great man as Elder Milstead, but a great day as knowing another soldier has made his calling and election sure.
Paula, I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your Father. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this time. While this is a time of loss, it is also a moment to honor a life well lived and a journey now completed in peace. I pray that you and your family find comfort in your faith, in the love that surrounds you, and in the assurance that he is now at rest in God’s eternal care.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Paula– so sorry for the passing of your Father. I was humbled by his great commitment and discipline to God and his faith. May God comfort you at this time and provide you peace and strength. Many prayers to you and your family.
I always looked forward to hearing him preach and hearing a word from God. We also have so many memories of going to the Tonitown park for Memorial Day fellowship meetings and different events with the church. I’m so sorry for the loss to Paula, PJ, and the rest of his family. We’re praying for you. God give you comfort in knowing he ran the race and he finished. We’ll see him again very soon.
As a young teenager I was privileged to hear him in revivals in our church in Santa Ana. His preaching was always on target.
Then when we evangelized, we preached several revivals for the Milstead’s and have been close to them all of these years.
Heaven, no more tears. No more pain. What a blessed homecoming!!!!
A man that hath friends must show himself friendly…..Eld Paul Milstead was a man with many friends! His integrity, principles, and his faithfulness to God’s Word never changed nor his love for his friends! He was kind to my wife and I; we enjoyed so much being with them every chance we got, we’ve traveled, eat, stayed in their home, pulled Crappies out of Lake Eucha, sat around campfires at Mountain View, listening to guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass and singers into the late hours of night. Precious memories we will carry with us the rest of our days!
Best of all were Holy Ghost filled services, prayer meetings when The Lord came down and changed men and women into New Creatures……these are just a few of the many things we will always think of when we remember Eld Paul Milstead for this is what he loved! May God bless his family and comfort and encourage them to continue on with what he loved! (Eld Dan Kitchens)
Paula, knowing you, I’m not surprised to read of your father’s integrity, passion and zeal. Clearly he touched many lives. Annie and I are keeping you and your family in our prayers.
My heart goes out to the family for your loss. I remember Brother Milstead and his family coming to Fort Stockton many times to preach a revival for Elder C.G. Gilmer. Afterwards, I was privileged to greet them at various conferences. A great preacher! His life was to live for Jesus. How ironic that within the last month, I was going through my photos and found one of he, his wife and Brother and Sister Gilmer standing all together. It brought back many memories. He will be missed, but he is where he wanted to be! I send my condolences to all his family 🙏
Brother PJ Milstead and Paula Milstead and their family, Also the First Apostolic Church of Farmington,
We send our sincere condolences to you all. We knew Elder Milstead and his wife for many years. He was also our Pastor for several years before retiring. He was was a true man of God and leader in the church. We can never forget all his love and kindness that he showed to our family. Our parents loved him and considered him a close life time friend. It’s not goodbye but so long until the day of the Lord’s return.
Praying for you all with love and sympathy 🙏❤️
Paula & PJ, very sorry to hear about your dad. He was a good neighbor and friend to my parents. He will be missed.
PJ and Paula,
So sorry for the huge loss of your Dad and my friend. Paul and I have had connections since we were young boys. I will miss chatting with him from time to time at the Post Office and at local restaurants. He was truly a man of God. Praying for your peace and comfort during this difficult time.
In loving memory of the ministry of Elder Paul Milstead the years he preached for us, love, Elder and Sister, R. D. Frazier, and Truth Tabernacle Church of Fontana, CA
On behalf of The Phillips Family, we are lifting you all up in prayer during this time. May God give you all strength and peace.
I worked with Paul at the post office. I ran his route a lot before beginning on route 4. I was so happy when I found out he also lived on my route. I delivered Paul and Judy’s mail for 17 years. I will miss him so very much. He was such a sweet man who always had a smile and kind word for everyone.