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When looking at booking Mike for a
presentation there are several things to be aware of. He feels
that it is critical that he stay rooted in the life of his own
church. For this reason he prefers to not be away from his
church for more than two weeks in any month. While there may
be exceptions to this they are rare. Mike believes it is
critical to not only receive the supervision and support from his
church but it is also critical for him to contribute to the life of
his church from involvement in ministry. He also feels that he has
much more of a responsibility than just speaking at a particular
location. He wants to have the opportunity to spend time in
the ministry of the church or the activity of the organization he is
speaking at. Unless you can find ways for him to relate to the
individuals he is sharing with, the results and blessings will not
be as effective for your group.
Mike has recommended times on his presentations, while they
are structured he feels it essential to be open to deal with
specific needs that he may be aware of within the group from
visiting with the organization or church. He finds it essential to
follow structure until individual needs require specific attention.
One of the reasons Mike feels that the Holy Spirit has used his
presentations is that he has always been open to the needs of the
people he is sharing with. This is one of the primary reasons
that he insists on spending time ministering at, and with the church
or group for the duration of his visit.
Mike, was the first person, in over 70 years of operation to be
licensed into the Ministry while attending Ninth Street Baptist
Church in Erwin, Tennessee. God and His Holy Spirit have
always blessed Mike with fruit when given the opportunity to speak.
Mike spends a great deal of time in prayer and fasting when
preparing for any sermon or presentation, but especially when given
the opportunity to share the Gospel with nonbelievers.
Evangelistic
Mike was called into Evangelism Ministry shortly after getting
saved in the 1970's. Mike has a passion for seeing people come
to the Lord. His method of evangelism is unique in that while
speaking for a church or organization Mike feels obligated to spend
his time with that church helping them prepare for the ministry.
The ministry should continue after he leaves. Mike has had the
opportunity to share before thousands and is noted for his
sincerity, dynamic style and loving spirit while he preaches.
Mike always makes the effort to spend time with people who make
decisions for the Lord. Evangelism, to Mike is about
much more than just preaching. It is about helping make
disciples and letting everyone know that God loved them enough to
give up His Son to die on a cross then giving them the tools
necessary to enable them to live strong Christian lives.
Motivational
One of the unique ways God has used Mike is in opening up doors
to speak in venues that are primarily non Christian. Mike has
done this over the years in schools, businesses and various other
places that were not specific to Christianity. While at
Crossroads in Tulsa, Mike was one of the most requested speakers by
Tulsa Area United Way Agency. He has always been open and
upfront about telling his story surrounding abuse, drugs, the
occult, gangs and more. He has presented at such National
Organizations as, Citgo, Amoco, Avis, State Farm, The Williams
Company, Blue Cross & Blue Shield and numerous other national
company headquarters and staff meetings. Mike has been able to
share in these settings and motivate people to care and look at
their lives in a different way. Looking at their jobs
differently in regards to giving them purpose and worth, as well as
helping individual employees realize that they, with work, can
accomplish many of their dreams if they focus in the right
direction. When asked, Mike has openly shared in these
meetings that it was Jesus Christ who changed his life. His
style is not confrontive, it is instead, warm and challenging.
Mike uses these opportunities to get others to think about what he
has said and uses the opportunity after the presentation to share
more with individuals on a one on one basis. Mike has had the
opportunity to share with hundreds while presenting in these
"Motivational" settings.
Mental Health
For over 14 years Mike has been one of the most respected
authorities in the field of Mental Health. He has served on
the International Faculty for Clubhouse Programs. He has
provided education and assistance to programs all over the world in
the training and education of the Clubhouse approach of
Rehabilitation for the Mentally Ill. He has spoken at numerous
conferences including the International Clubhouse Conferences,
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Innovative Approaches to
Psychiatric Rehabilitation, International Association of Psychiatric
Rehabilitative Services, National Consumer Groups, and numerous
others.
Mike has been instrumental in helping set up programs for the
mentally ill in Mississippi, New Mexico, Indiana, Ohio, Hawaii,
Oklahoma and other states. He has also assisted in states where
services already existed like, New York, South Carolina, North
Carolina, Massachusetts and others. Mike also helped train
pioneers in research and services from countries such as Japan,
Australia, Belgium and others. Mike has been sought out
internationally for his knowledge in this area. Mental Illness
is a disease that is all too real to Mike and his family and one
that he has made the commitment to try and help with understanding
for the duration of his life.
Revival
Mike is upfront and honest about the joy he receives from
getting to do revivals. Few things are as rewarding as helping
a church or community began to seek after God and His ways.
Mike has a revival series that can be done in 3,4, or 5 day
increments. Mike is also open to booking longer periods of
time for revival services when time is required. For revival
purposes Mike is not open to doing less than 3 days with the
exception of a specialized target group, like youth, couples, etc...
Occult
Mike is open to sharing on this often times misunderstood topic.
Due to his extensive research and involvement in the occult when
younger Mike presents a unique, honest and real approach to this
serious topic. While this is a serious topic it is also a
topic that Mike is convinced that much misinformation exists.
Mike addresses the real dangers of the Occult and satan on the
Church and Christianity. This topic can cover from a 1 - 3 day
time frame. If using a 1 day format the church needs to
schedule a minimum of 1 - 1 1/2 hour presentation.
Music
Mike has been involved in music ministry for most of his
Christian life. He has worked with some of the top names in
music in both the Christian and Non Christian market. What is
the history of Christian Music? What about Contemporary
Christian Music? or Christian Versus Non Christian Music. This
is an enlightening and enjoyable format. While this topic is
best suited for a teaching series it can be used in a sermon format.
Mike has a unique history in Christian music because he has
worked with many of the early pioneers of contemporary Christian
music and legends in the secular market as well. Some of his
comments on this topic will surely enlighten and possibly shock you.
One thing will be certain, that you will look at music
differently as a result of hearing someone who has actually worked
in both markets.
Testimony
Mike is moved every time he has the opportunity to share of what
God has done for him. He will never forget the life God
delivered him from. Abuse, gangs, drugs, loneliness, sorrow
and more to a life of love, joy and hope. This presentation is
best when given between 45 minuets, minimum and 1 1/2 hours maximum.
The story is moving and one that God has always blessed.
Christianity Versus Other Religions
Many times believers are afraid of sharing their faith with
persons from various faiths. Using a tradition and style
similar to Josh McDowell, Mike looks at the facts and basis of our
Christian Faith. When compared to other beliefs one would have
to be foolish to walk away from this presentation not accepting the
Christian principals of our faith as truth. On this topic Mike
is very conservative but draws those conservative beliefs from
looking at historical and faith facts.
Abuse In The Church
This is one of those topics that Mike wishes churches and groups
would schedule more. As a result of the abuse Mike received as a
child he turned from Christian principals and teachings for much of
his early life. It wasn't until hearing David Wilkerson
speaking about the "Real Jesus" that Mike understood the
need to look at Christ as an example instead of the men and women in
the church. Many, if not most churches, have abuse among
members of their congregations, both physical and sexual. It
is a sin that must be addressed in the church. So many within
the boundaries of the church suffer from sexual and physical abuse
yet the sin goes unnoticed. In this story Mike shares much of
his own story. It deals with topics which need to be addressed
but may contain information that will be difficult for some within
the church to hear. Mike believes that the lack of addressing
this topic is one of the sins of the Contemporary Church.
Prayer
Every great revival and spiritual awakening throughout the
history of Christianity has started with Prayer. "Prayer
as a Prelude to Revival" is a sermon that has taken hundreds if
not thousands of hours of preparation and study. There has
been great response from this sermon when presented in the past.
Prayer is coming into the presence of, and communicating with God.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, "There is no greater honor for
any man than to come into the presence of God in prayer."
This message should be a prerequisite for any church or individual
considering revival.
Jesus & His Ministry To The Poor
When looking at the ministry of Jesus it is amazing at the
involvement He had with the poor. Jesus had a ministry that
had a vital component of service to the poor and needy. What
is the call of the Church today? Why are there so many tax
dollars spent on social services? What is our obligation as
Christians to the poor and needy? These and other questions
are addressed in this topic that addresses the life and action of
the church today.
Christian Versus Non Christian Music
This is a more direct response to the question of Christian
Versus Non Christian Music as is addressed under the topic of
"Music." This message can be condensed into a sermon
format lasting between 30 minute and 1 hour. The sermon format
actually challenges Christians to look at all areas of their lives,
not just music. This is not a message that is condemning
secular music but more about the way we as Christians perceive and
listen to music and other outside sources of information in our
lives.
Others Upon Request
Mike is very much aware that churches may have individual needs
to address in their churches. He knows that it is possible
that churches knowledgeable of his ministry may want a more specific
area addressed. It is also possible that churches he has
shared at in the past may have additional needs in relation to the
follow up of his or their ministry. Feel free to contact him
for specific needs and desires.
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