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, Soul Care
  • 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 Golf
  • 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

  • Unhurried Spirituality

    Contributed on Oct 26, 2025
     | 44 views

    We want microwave spirituality – we want the feeling – The God High – the emotion when we worship God. We want fast results, and we want it on demand, but God does not work that way.

    Video Illustration: Meant for Good! Series for the year – quick review – Come Alive in 2025 Thesis: We can come back to life – nothing is too dead for God to bring life back into it – nothing is too lifeless for God to breath His life back into it! He is the Creator and He can bring anything back ...read more

  • Hurry Sickness

    Contributed on Oct 16, 2025
     | 78 views

    Eliminating hurry isn't about avoiding urgency, but about intentionally slowing down to align with Jesus' unhurried, peace-filled way of living, which fosters rest, joy, and spiritual growth.

    Series: Unhurried - The Hurry up sickness Tag – So many are rushing too nowhere! Opening Quote: Dallas Willard and John Ortberg – Soul Care “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry” Dallas Willard urged people to "ruthlessly eliminate hurry" because he considered it the greatest obstacle to a vibrant ...read more

  • All His Treasures

    Contributed on Oct 5, 2025
     | 113 views

    Jesus teachings on treasures emphasize that true wealth often lies not in material possessions, but in intangible things like love, knowledge, relationships, a love for God and having personal character.

    Video Transition: Treasures Series: All His! Thesis: We have talked about how everything we have belongs to the Father God – everything we possess and even our very lives belong to Him! Our Series Verses: Deuteronomy 10:14: "Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest ...read more

  • All His Talents

    Contributed on Sep 28, 2025
     | 115 views

    We have talked about how everything we have belongs to the Father God – everything we possess and even our very lives belong to Him!

    Series: All His! Thesis: We have talked about how everything we have belongs to the Father God – everything we possess and even our very lives belong to Him! Our Series Verses: Deuteronomy 10:14: "Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is ...read more

  • All His Time

    Contributed on Sep 28, 2025
     | 146 views

    What do you think is the most precious commodity wasted in most people’s lives every day?

    Series: All His – Time Question: What do you think is the most precious commodity wasted in most people’s lives every day? The answer to that question: Is Time! Thesis: Scriptures address time as a divine gift from God and a divine element with seasons. It’s also noted as a human element that ...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
     | 779 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
    based on 1 rating
     | 1,127 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
     | 604 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
     | 730 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
     | 671 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