Contributors
Michael's church

Christian Hills Church
, Illinois
708 349-0777

About Michael
  • Education: Afl-CIO Carpenter Apprenticeship - Graduated 1983. Pastoral Diploma from North Central Bible College - minor in Bible - Graduated 1988. B.S. Social Work from Bemidji State University - minors in Chemical Dependency Counseling, and Sociology - 1994. Masters of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Ministry - Master’s Divinity School- 2008
  • Experience: 11/’08 - present - Senior Pastor of Christian Hills ’97 - 11/’08 - Senior pastor New Life Community Church ’97 - ’07 - Special ed. teacher, and substitute teacher ’94 - ’97 - Associate Pastor Christian Hills Church ’95 - ’97 - Teacher Christian Life College - part time ’90 - ’94 - Sand Hill Lake Bible Camp -- Manager/Minister ’88 - ’90 - Pastor Liberty Chapel ’84 - ’88 - Self employed M&M Construction ’79 - ’84 - Afl-CIO Union Local 7 -- Carpenter
  • Comment to those looking at my sermons: It’s by the grace of God that I can even do this!
  • Sermon or series that made a difference: Leadership Pain, Life of Joseph series, 3 motto’s of a Servant Leader, Servanthood series, 7 Keys to revival, Legacy of the pew - Series
  • One of my favorite illustrations: The truth of the matter is man has been making mistakes since creation. Here are just some of the great mistakes of the past: 1). The ancient Babylonians believed that the earth was flat in 8th Century B.C.. The sad fact is there are still people today who believe that the earth is flat. Their claims are based on their literal interpretation of the Bible, which, for example refers to "the four, corners of the Earth." They call themselves the "Flat Earth Society." There base is in Utah.
  • Family: Wife - Kathy married for 38 years - she is a teacher at our Christian School. 4 DAUGHTERS: Tiffany - (Josh) and two twin grand sons, Ayden and Keagan twins, and granddaughter Evie - Ashley - (Vernon) Emerson, Harlowe, Deklin, Cooper - Christa _ Isa our spiritual adopted daughter
  • What my parents think of my sermons: My mom say’s "I am dynamic." My dad has only heard me preach once at a Father’s Day Banquet and he said, "You did well, but your socks did not match your suit."
  • What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She says, "They are awesome! They are life inspiring! They are motivational! They are enlightening! They are heart changing! and He’s cute too!"
  • Best advice given to me about preaching: Be Yourself. Pray for the Lord to use the sermon he laid on your heart. Use illustrations. Be creative "It’s a sin to bore people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ" (Swindoll). Preach in modern day Parables. Repeat you main point 7 times. Do your homework!
  • Books that have had an impact: "Leadership Pain" Samuel Chand "All In" Mark Batterson "Radical" by David Platt "Experiencing God" by Blackaby, "David" by Charles Swindoll, "Laugh Again" by Charles Swindoll, "Developing the Leader Within" by John Maxwell, "Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make" By Hans Finzel, "Turning Vision Into Action" by George Barna, "Descending Into Greatness" by Bill Hybels, "The Life You Always Wanted" by John Ortberg, "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala, "Fresh Faith" by Jim Cymbala, "Fresh Power" by Jim Cymbala
  • Hobbies: Reading, Computer Strategy Games, Walking, Boating
  • If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Commit 100% to Jesus and then lead people from here to eternity.
  • Something funny that happened while preaching: When I was doing my internship in a church I once noted to the congregation that I had recently received a news letter from Hell. I mean’t to say I had received a News Letter which had an article about Hell and it came out wrong. Everyone laughed and teased me that they did not know that I had a hotline to Hell.
  • What I want on my tombstone: He was a man after God’s own heart!
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Newest Sermons

  • Trust Part 3

    Contributed on May 25, 2023
     | 79 views

    Everything in relationships rises and falls on trust! Do you believe that? Many authors and the Bible say it is a true statement!

    Video Transition: Can God trust you? Sermon: Trust pt 3 Thesis: Everything in relationships rises and falls on trust! Do you believe that? Many authors and the Bible say it is a true statement! Trust is essential component to build and to experience if we desire to live “The Abundant life” in ...read more

  • Trust Part 2

    Contributed on May 19, 2023
     | 113 views

    Everything in relationships rises and falls on trust! Do you believe that? Many authors and the Bible say it is a true statement! Trust is essential component to build and to experience if we desire to live “The Abundant life” in 2023.Proverbs

    Video Transition: Faith in the Desert! Theme: Abundant 2023 – Living Abundantly-Growing in Christ-Walking in freedom! This year’s Scripture Verse: John 10:10: NKJV (Jesus said) 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that ...read more

  • Breakthrough

    Contributed on May 19, 2023
     | 266 views

    Christians who want a breakthrough – who desire freedom need to realize whether they are being led around by their soul (their fleshly desires) or by their spirit (The desires of Jesus).

    Opening video: Exodus – Bondage to Freedom Series: Mens Seminar Watershed! Thesis: We are in a cosmic war and for the most part that war is within – in our minds – with our spirit and with our flesh (the soulish realm). The truth is our spirit, or our fleshly appetites and mindsets dictate how we ...read more

  • World Shakers And History Makers

    Contributed on May 19, 2023
     | 257 views

    To be a world shaker and a history maker requires us to get into the cosmic war between good and evil – to fight for the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to stand up to a wicked society trying to destroy our families and children.

    Sermon: World Shakers – History Makers Thesis: To be a world shaker and a history maker requires us to get into the cosmic war between good and evil – to fight for the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to stand up to a wicked society trying to destroy our families and children. ...read more

  • Trust Pt 1

    Contributed on May 7, 2023
     | 396 views

    Everything in relationships rises and falls on trust! Do you believe that? Many authors and the Bible say it is a true statement! Trust is essential component to build and to experience if we desire to live “The Abundant life” in 2023 that Jesus spoke about.

    Sermon: Trust Thesis: Everything in relationships rises and falls on trust! Do you believe that? Many authors and the Bible say it is a true statement! Trust is essential component to build and to experience if we desire to live “The Abundant life” in 2023 that Jesus spoke about. Scriptures on ...read more

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  • Soul

    Contributed on Jan 11, 2023
     | 383 views

    John Ortberg describes it this way, “We each have an outer life and an inner one. My outer self is the public, visible me. My accomplishments, my work, and my reputation lie there. But inside is my soul that part of me that speaks in silence to others but yells at me. It's the inside stuff of ...read more

  • All In

    Contributed on Nov 21, 2021
     | 1,140 views

    Mark notes: “When you go all in with God, you never know how or when or where He might show up. But you can live in holy anticipation, knowing that God can invade the reality of your life at any given moment and change everything for eternity. And when He does, you need to ...read more

  • Stoyan's Father By Nik Ripken

    Contributed on Apr 14, 2019
     | 3,213 views

    When Stoyan was twelve, they imprisoned his protestant pastor father. His father remained in custody for ten years. “At first,” he said, “they held him in a secret police place in our city.” “Every morning one of the guards would take some of his own human waste and spread it on the piece of toast ...read more

  • Tavian's Story From Insanity Of God

    Contributed on Mar 22, 2019
    based on 1 rating
     | 3,809 views

    Story from Insanity of God Tavian, pages 183-185: Up four flights of creaking stairs, in a tiny apartment, we met a white-haired, stooped-over, shell of a man. It was clear that, earlier in his life, he had cast a longer shadow. He invited us into his apartment. The aged furnishings made the room ...read more

  • Community

    Contributed on Oct 2, 2015
     | 6,464 views

    Dr. B. adds, “Christ desired that his church would be the earthly community of oneness modeled after the eternal community of oneness. Jesus went on to declare that he had provided his followers with everything they needed to bring about this oneness. He prayed, “I have given them the glory that ...read more