45 Years of Ministry History

Mike began ministry in 1976 as the interim pastor at the small Baptist church where he was saved in Springdale, Arkansas. He had felt the call to pastoral ministry even before he had been saved and so he immediately began serving in ministry after trusting in trust. Not long after, the pastor of the church left to serve on the mission field in Costa Rica and Mike became the interim pastor for a season.

Mike moved to Arkadelphia, Arkansas where he pastored at Shiloh Baptist Church for several years. He received theological training at Oauchita Baptist University, a strong Southern Baptist school and during that time pastored his second church, South Liberty Baptist Church, in Liberty, Missouri. He stayed in this role for another 7 years, during which time he completed his seminary education. 

Into the Mission Field of Iowa

During one of the Missouri Baptist State Convention meetings, Pastor Mike saw an informational booth for the Baptist Convention of Iowa. He talked with Dr. Wyndell Jones, BCI Executive Director and Richard Lamborn, BCI Mission Director described the new ministry development going on in Iowa and Pastor Mike jumped at the opportunity. Through this connection, Pastor Mike took the pastor role at Calvary Baptist Church in Indianola, Iowa. Calvary Baptist had been started as a “church mission” by Claude McFerron through a partnership with the Home Mission Board (now called the North American Mission Board). Pastor Mike pastored Calvary in Indianola from 1987 until 2000, a total of 13 years.

New Bridge Church in Winterset

Pastor Mike was the pastor at New Bridge Church in Winterset, Iowa for the past 21 years. Mike and Shari came to New Bridge Church (which was formerly First Baptist Church) in July of 2000. It is a significant church in BCI history and hosted many important BCI events. While at New Bridge, Past Mike developed a partnership with IMB missionaries in Uganda that lasted for more than 10 years. “We led student camps and even helped plant a church which is still going today. We sent people from our church, including high school students, on short-term mission trips for 10 years in a row. It really helped our church understand international missions and gave us first-hand experience of the mission field,” said Pastor Mike.

Leading in Iowa Ministry

Pastor Mike has served in many roles and held many titles at the Baptist Convention of Iowa. Pastor Mike served two terms as President of the BCI Executive Committee. The first time was in 1999, which was the last year that Dr. Wyndell Jones was Executive Director of BCI. “It was a real honor to serve as the President of BCI, especially at those pivotal moments,” said Pastor Mike. During this time he served on the Search Committee that called the second Executive Director, Jimmy Barrentine. He served several other terms on the Executive Board. Mike served as President and on the search team again when Tim Lubinus was called as the third Executive Director. 

Serving in Iowa Ministry

In his early ministry years in Iowa, he led a youth evangelism conference at Adventureland, helped train summer missions volunteers, and trained youth at Simpson College in Indianola. He worked with the “Pastoral Growth Assistance” program, served as the Chairman of the Foundation Committee for several years, and was once the president of the BCI Pastor’s Conference that used to be held annually.

In 2003, Mike served as chaplain in BCI Disaster Relief (DR) which was led by Ty Berry. Mike worked with Ty Berry to develop a disaster relief “feeding unit” and hosted the trailer and equipment at his church, New Bridge. This feeding unit opened up many opportunities to serve with many states and BCI responded to many hurricanes and other natural disasters. The biggest disaster that BCI Disaster Relief served in was Hurricane Katrina, which required many months of work. “I’m really proud of what we were able to do with Disaster Relief. It was a team thing and we working together we were really able to make a difference,” Pastor Mike reflected. Pastor Mike also trained other DR chaplains and became the State Director for BCI Disaster Relief a role he served in until 2021.

What’s Next for New Bridge?

John Shaull has been called as Interim Pastor for New Bridge Church, Winterset. They are currently searching for a new full-time pastor. As for Mike and Shari, they plan to enjoy retirement by traveling to see friends and family around the country. They have already been able to visit their son and his family in Connecticut.

God bless on the next step of your journey, Mike and Shari!