Father Hinson was born in Sikeston, Missouri and grew up in nearby Morehouse. In 1985, he graduated from Knox College, Galesburg, IL with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics. He
then attended the University of Missouri—Rolla, graduating in 1987 with a Master of Science degree in applied mathematics. Following a year of further studies in mathematics, he was
called to study for orders in the Episcopal Church. He graduated from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL with a Master of Divinity in 1991.

Following ordination to the Priesthood, Father Hinson served as Assistant Rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, MO for three years. He then received a commission in the Navy Chaplain Corps in May 1994.

Chaplain Hinson’s operational assignments included: COMSUBRON-7, USS LAKE ERIE (CG-70), 3d Force Service Support Group, Brigade Service Support Group-3, 1st Marine Air
Wing, Marine Forces Central Command (Forward), USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75)/Carrier Strike Group 10, U.S. THIRD Fleet, NAVNORTH, and JFMCC STRAT Chaplain. During his operational assignments, he made three combat deployments and numerous other non-
combat deployments.

Ashore, he served at the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Marine Corps University’s Lejeune Leadership Institute, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, as the Executive Director of the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, as Fleet Chaplain, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Deputy Chaplain of the Marine Corps, and Chief of Staff for the Chief of Navy Chaplains.

He is a graduate of the non-resident Marine Corps Command and Staff College and earned a Master's in Sacred Theology in Ethics from Boston University in 2004. In 2015, he graduated with
distinction from the Naval War College, serving as his class president while earning a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. He was selected by the faculty as the top
strategic thinker in the class of over 200 and awarded the John J. D’Luhy prize in strategy.

Chaplain Hinson has served on teams that have been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Navy “E” Ribbon. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (three awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the
Army Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).

In 2022 he was selected by his peers as the Chaplain John Craven Servant Leadership awardee.

 

He currently serves as the Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Leavenworth, Kansas, with additional duty to the Bishop of Kansas as the New Episcopal Community Planter.