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

  • Hope Has Come Part 2

    Contributed on Dec 14, 2025
     | 28 views

    Jesus was the promised hope of the world – He was anticipated by the Jewish people for 1,000’s of years and for most Gentiles – He was an unexpected blessing of Deliverance, Healing, Hope and Love. But yet today many people are still looking for Hope in this hopeless world!

    Video Illustration and transition: Hope Hope has Come! Part 2 Thesis: Jesus was the promised hope of the world – He was anticipated by the Jewish people for 1,000’s of years and for most Gentiles – He was an unexpected blessing of Deliverance, Healing, Hope and Love. But yet today many people are ...read more

  • Hope Has Come Christmas Program

    Contributed on Dec 11, 2025
     | 37 views

    Christmas always reminds me of Jesus – Especially how He fulfilled so many prophecies and promises from God’s Word (He fulfilled 300 of them in accordance with the Bible)

    Christmas Program School 2025 – Hope has Come! Survey: Top Ten Christmas Characters The most popular Christmas characters: 1. Santa Claus: The quintessential symbol of Christmas, Santa Claus embodies the spirit of giving and joy. He is known for his red suit, white beard, and the tradition of ...read more

  • Hope Has Come Part 1

    Contributed on Dec 11, 2025
     | 107 views

    With the birth of Jesus, a new hope was infused into the Jewish people of God and in the world as a whole – HOPE had finally arrived to set people free from the bondages of this world!

    Video Transition: Missing Jesus – Skit guys! Series Christmas: Hope has Come – The promise has been delivered! Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7 Isaiah 9 - To Us a Child Is Born is prophesied 700 years before Jesus’ birth: 1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the ...read more

  • Unhurried Spirituality Pt 3

    Contributed on Nov 9, 2025
     | 135 views

    There is no such thing as an overnight success! Joe was on the go for God because he was a humble servant leader and because he was filled with the Spirit of God. He was on the go for God because he was dispenser of grace and a forgiving individual.

    Sermon: Unhurried Spirituality Pt 3 Thesis: There is no such thing as an overnight success! Joe was on the go for God because he was a humble servant leader and because he was filled with the Spirit of God. He was on the go for God because he was dispenser of grace and a forgiving ...read more

  • Unhurried Spirituality Pt 2

    Contributed on Nov 2, 2025
     | 123 views

    A hurried life will make your soul and spirit unhealthy and even toxic. Jesus was never in a hurry and we need to learn from Him how to live our lives with His rhythm.

    Video transition: Finding Peace from this frenzied life - sermoncentral.com Series for the year: 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 ...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
     | 808 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
     | 1,189 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
     | 635 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
     | 774 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
     | 700 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