Mike Rickman

Church/Ministry Name

Palmyra First

www.palmyra1stassembly.org

Church/Ministry Description

We are a small, family oriented church that doesn’t intend to stay that way. We love God, and people, and we trust God in all that we do. We are a Pentecostal church that believes in the whole counsel of God and anticipate God to constantly confirm His Word with signs and wonders. We came to Palmyra in the fall of 2001. We welcome all visitors and would enjoy the opportunity to minister to new families.

Experience

Worship leader at First Assembly of God in Troy, MO for two years. Interim pastor at Calvary Assembly of God in Montgomery City, MO for nine months. Senior pastor at First Assembly of God in Palmyra, MO since October, 2001. Presbyter section 6 Northern Missouri District of the A/G

Education

Ordained in April 2004 AA in Church Ministries Global University BA in Church Ministries Sure Foundation Theological Institute Counseling Certificate with L9ight University

Family

I married my childhood sweetheart, Charlotte, in 1971. We have three daughters, Jill and husband Bob Johnson, of St. Louis, MO, Emily and husband Brian Hager of Denver, CO, and Tricia and Jeff Pyatt of Wentzville, MO. Jill and Bob have one son, Brandon, and a daughter Miriam. Emily and Brian have a daughter, Haley. Tricia and Jeff have one son, Eli and a daughter Lilliana.

Hobbies

music, gardening, golf, basketball

Best advice given to me about preaching

Don’t try to be someone else. Be yourself and preach God’s word from your perspective.

Sermon or series that made a difference

A visiting missionary preached a sermon about spiritual and church growth called, ":Opening up the tent flaps."

One of my favorite illustrations

Keep your fork. The story of a woman who was buried with her fork in her hand because she was always reminded at church dinners to keep her fork for dessert. So when she was dying she asked he pastor to make sure she had a fork in her hand at the visitation so people would constantly be reminded that there was something better coming.

Books that have had an impact

Set Our Hearts on Fire - Richard Bieber Dutch Sheets’ Intercessory Prayer. The Believer’s Authority - Kenneth Hagin

Something funny that happened while preaching

More than once I was trying to make a specific point that required a word that completely escaped me. I had to ask someone in the church to help me find the word I was looking for.

What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons

Sometimes Charlotte thinks my sermons are too long. They are normally about 30 to 35 minutes. Fortunately I can preach as long as I like now because Charlotte does children’s church every Sunday. (Just kidding dear)

If I could Preach one more time, I would say...

Nothing different than I say every week. Heaven or hell is your choice. God has given the gift of eternal life but you must receive it by faith. When you stand before God and He asks why He should let ou into heaven, if your answer doesn’t include grace, faith, and Jesus Christ, you are in trouble.

What I want on my tombstone

Why do you look for the living among the dead?

Comment to those looking at my sermons

My words may not be eloquent but the words that are in my heart are expressions of the whole counsel of God. I pray that as you read these sermons you will be encouraged by them and that they would help you in your personal walk with the Lord. These sermons are from a Pentecostal perspective so if you are non-Pentecostal I especially hope that you in some way will receive some instruction that you may not have heard before. My purpose is to help you grow and hopefully prepare you for the works o