Pastor Bill Michaels

Pastor Bill was born in Albany, Georgia on September 10, 1954. When he was just one month old, he let his parents, Dick and Gloria, know that it was too hot and the bugs were too big in Georgia. So they moved to Warren, Ohio, where he and his brother, Rick, were active in the high school band, the YMCA, and the Living Lord Lutheran Church Luther League. He credits his Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Fisher, and his pastor, Rev. Paul Fuchs, with leading him into the ministry.

Pastor Bill graduated from Capital University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in both Psychology and Religion. He then graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 1980, and was ordained November 30, 1980.

Pastor Bill has served three churches in Ohio: St. Paul in Ironton, Zion in New Waterford and Good Hope in Bucyrus. Prior to accepting the call at St. Mark, he ministered at St. John's Lutheran Church in Baroda, Michigan.

His theological point of view claims that God loves everyone more than anyone deserves to be loved.... and that through our love... the love of God is passed on and shared. Our self-worth is not found in our accomplishments or abilities. True self-worth is the result of recognizing that God loves us regardless of our mistakes and failures. Since God loves everyone, the church loves everyone. Therefore, there are no outsiders... just people waiting to be loved.

His favorite parts of ministry are those which enable him to get to know people on a deeper than superficial level. Therefore, his favorite ministerial duties are what he calls "relational ministries" such as hospital calls, weddings, and funerals, and counseling.

Synodically. he has served as the Chairman of the Nominating Committee of the Northwestern Ohio Synod. and, as a member of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod committee which decides where to plant new churches and restructure and revitalize other congregations.

Pastor Bill and Ruth met, "fell in love", and were married at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Bucyrus. Ohio. In their free time. they enjoy "shopping" at auctions, riding bikes, walking the neighborhood, hiking trails, roller-blading. and playing tennis and racquetball. Ruth's hobbles include baking and doing crafts ... while Pastor's hobby is woodworking.