Contributors
Michael's church

Christian Hills Church
Orland Hills, Illinois 60487
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 Church and School ’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. ’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 40 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

  • The Be-Attitudes

    Contributed on Apr 6, 2024
     | 329 views

    Attitudes can open the door to blessing or close the door to blessing! I believe attitude is the number one factor that opens the door to blessings from God. Your attitude to be Christ like determines your position within the Kingdom of Heaven. Attitude is your choice, no one else’s!

    Series: Never Seen Before In 2024 Thesis: To see something we have never seen before in 2024 requires us to do something we have never done before! So, what is the “One Thing” you need to do that you have never done before to see your miracle – your breakthrough – a divine revelation or your ...read more

  • Beyond The Horizon "sunrise"

    Contributed on Mar 31, 2024
     | 74 views

    When we get a revelation of Jesus, and we see beyond the horizon of this life – and we get a glimpse of what awaits us in Heaven! When we see beyond the horizon of this life - We grow our faith, we increase our hope and see Jesus!

    Series: Beyond the Horizon – Sunrise Video Transition: Sunrise at Christian Hills Church with Romans Scripture Verse: Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Thoughts: The Scripture ...read more

  • Beyond The Horizon "sunsets"

    Contributed on Mar 24, 2024
     | 146 views

    We need to see beyond the horizon of this world with faith and hope! When we do we experience the presence, the goodness of God.

    Series: Beyond the Horizon Video Transition: Sunset at Christian Hills Church Video Message: We opened the service with a clip of the sunset from here on the hill of Christian Hills Church, we had in that clip people who were beholding the beauty of a sunset which according to Scripture reveals ...read more

  • Moses Pt 2

    Contributed on Mar 10, 2024
     | 259 views

    Overcoming fear and allowing our faith to supersede fear opens the door to see the finger of God at work around us. Growing our faith will enable us to see the glory of God in a godless society!

    Sermon: Moses’ part 2 Thesis part 1: Moses saw the invisible God and it empowered him to persevere through anything and He heard God say, “What is in your hand?” He looked at the staff in his hand and God used that staff to deliver the people of Israel from slavery and bondage! God used that staff ...read more

  • Moses

    Contributed on Mar 3, 2024
     | 371 views

    To see something we have never seen before in 2024 - we must do something we have never done before in 2024! God's question to you is "What is in your hand?"

    Moses: 2024 Series: Never seen before in 2024! Thesis: To see something we have never seen before in 2024 - we must do something we have never done before in 2024! What is the one thing you need to do? Is it read the Bible daily – Pray – have consistent devotions? Step out in faith? Follow ...read more

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Newest Sermon Series

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Newest Sermon Illustrations

  • Born Between 1930 To 1970?

    Contributed on Apr 12, 2024
     | 44 views

    TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930's -1940's -1950's - 1960's and 1970's! First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then ...read more

  • Helping Hands

    Contributed on Apr 12, 2024
     | 26 views

    Dr. Wright shares this story which I believe is appropriate for us to think about this morning as we close: In a small European village was a town square that held a special statue. This statue of Jesus was the pride and joy of this small town, But World War II arrived, and soon the bombs began ...read more

  • Mr. Welch

    Contributed on Apr 12, 2024
     | 28 views

    Stories of pivotal prayers: Story from Tim Elmore “Pivotal Praying” (Page 1): His life’s dream was to be a missionary, and it looked as though it was finally coming true. As the nervous young man sat in the mission’s agency’s office, he assured the interviewer that he and his new bride were ...read more

  • The Fog

    Contributed on Apr 12, 2024
     | 31 views

    The Fog! Romans 12:2 CEV: “Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” Colossians 2:8 CEV: “Don’t let anyone fool you by using senseless arguments. These arguments may sound wise, but ...read more

  • Unexpected Journey Thru Cancer

    Contributed on Apr 12, 2024
     | 33 views

    The unexpected journey and a second Dove appeared on a difficult day walking thru cancer: I hit another rough day in the journey after my second surgery with Dr. Q – He got back pathology and said it did look good the light showed cancer lining my bladder like a carpet. When the Dr, Q called to ...read more