MINISTRY TEAM

Biography

Pastor Michael was born and raised in Freeport, IL, attending Concordia College in Seward, NE, receiving his degree in Elementary Education in 1998. After teaching middle school for two years in Columbus, NE and five years in Davenport, IA, he was called to help start the middle school and the athletic ministry at Grace Lutheran in 2005. In 2015, Pastor Michael answered the call to start the Specific Ministry Pastor program through Concordia Seminary – St. Louis to be the Associate Pastor of Grace. In addition to his duties at Grace, Pastor Michael is the Director of Athletic Ministries for the FLGA District, the President of the Jacksonville Christian Athletic League, and a board member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was married in 1998 to Grace’s 3rd grade teacher, Jessa, and they have two boys, Peyton (Grace Graduate ’15) & Addison (Grace Graduate ‘16). Pastor Michael loves coaching basketball and watching the Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks.