Michael is Pastor of the English-speaking congregation at North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago; the church also includes Spanish-speaking, Japanese-speaking, and Karen-speaking congregations. Previously, Michael was Pastor of Webster Baptist Church in upstate New York, which allowed him to take a sabbatical to South Africa and engage in mission activities around Cape Town. Michael grew up in the church and was an adult youth group leader for several years in New York State and nationally through the American Baptist Churches, USA. This work led him to enter seminary at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.
Michael is past Vice President of the Board of Directors of BPFNA; he also served as the President of the American Baptist Churches of the Rochester Genesee Region, and was appointed to the ABC Taskforce on Race and Race-based Violence. He currently volunteers monthly at Austin Academy for Excellence, in Chicago. Michael’s favorite scripture is Micah 6:8, “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” This verse has been the basis of his faith journey, and what he seeks to live out every day. To the Chicago Commons Project, Michael brings his lived history of the civil rights struggle, his personal experience of justice and peace, and his dedication to work for positive peaceful change everywhere.