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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

  • David A Somebody Becomes A Fugitive

    Contributed on Nov 3, 2024
    based on 1 rating
     | 93 views

    When David does the right thing for God and becomes a somebody Saul gets jealous and forces David to become a fugitive.

    A somebody becomes a fugitive Thesis: When David does the right thing for God and becomes a somebody Saul gets jealous and forces David to become a fugitive. Introduction: David has the Spirit of the Lord on Him. He defeats the giant Goliath – He brings a great victory to Israel. Saul hears the ...read more

  • Death Of A Saint Is Precious!

    Contributed on Oct 20, 2024
     | 298 views

    We usually don't put death and precious together, but the Lord does for his saints!

    Sermon Precious! Thesis: God looks at the death of a saint as precious and as beautiful as a Masterpiece of Art – Yes, God looks at the death of a saint as precious something foreign to most people’s eyes! Scripture text: Psalm 116:1-19: 1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; ...read more

  • Saul And The Spirit Of God

    Contributed on Oct 20, 2024
     | 238 views

    The Holy Spirit is active in the empowering of God’s people to lead. He wants to comfort us, lead us, guide us, direct us, teach us and empower u to do what God wants done.

    David Platt – Why we need the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of God. Opening Video Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6DtRmyx1bA David Platt on the importance of the Holy Spirit in the church today! Series: Never Seen Before in 2024 – Understanding the importance of the Spirit of God for ...read more

  • King David - A Nobody Becomes A Somebody!

    Contributed on Oct 20, 2024
     | 189 views

    God takes nobodies with a right heart on the inside and makes them some-bodies. It all starts in the heart, it's a heart that seeks to do the will of God no matter what!

    Series: Never Seen Before in 2024 Thesis: We are asking God to help us see things in His Word that we have never seen before in 2024! We will be exploring the life of King David, and I pray your eyes are open to what to do and what not to do! David’s life is an example for us to learn and grow by! ...read more

  • Samuel And Israel

    Contributed on Sep 29, 2024
     | 207 views

    Samuel lived an exemplary life for God and for Israel, but they rejected his leadership for a king and blamed it on his wayward sons!

    Series: Never seen before in 2024 – I pray that the Lord will open your eyes and heart to the reality of leadership pain! I also want to say that everyone of you if your choose to lead will expereince leadership pain. We all at some point lead in our lives so we need to be prepared to lead like ...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
     | 476 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
     | 515 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
     | 326 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
     | 319 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
     | 349 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