My life has been a very colorful and interesting journey.
Born and raised in a mid-sized, midwestern town in Indiana, Memphis has been an interesting change.I have always enjoyed adventure and new experiences.I ride a motorcycle, enjoy traveling, hunting, fishing and hiking.
My journey as a pastor began about ten years ago when I finally gave in to God’s call on my life.I had been a commercial mechanical contractor for seventeen years.Those years were my running away years.I knew God had called me to minister at age eighteen, but did not want to give my life over to Him.
However, those years were not a waste.God used them to grow me personally and give me live experience that I would not have had in ministry.I also gained valuable experience as a volunteer church leader during that time.I was involved in three church plants and three different denominations.All of which turned out to be invaluable experiences later on.
The last ten years have been my best adventure.After completing my undergraduate work and seminary at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne in 2002, God called me to serve as the Associate Pastor at a church in Chattanooga.I learned a great deal about church staff ministry in the three years I was there.
In 2005, God moved me to start a new church in Chattanooga. It was a full out rock and roll church that reached out to the un-churched fringe of Gen X & Y.We not only embraced their Rock culture, but their dress, earrings and tattoos.
In late 2007, God began to speak to me about moving on.It was time to hand this ministry off to a younger pastor.So, in early 2008, I received a call from Amazing Grace here in Memphis.
My wife, Jeanne and I were drawn to the church’s friendliness and desire to love all people, no matter what their culture, color or background.
If you are looking for a place to fit in, where people don’t care where you came from or what you look like, you might want to pay us a visit, or email me at pastormikem@bellsouth.net.
