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

  • Peter A Fisherman's Tale Pt 2

    Contributed on Apr 4, 2025
     | 106 views

    Peter reveals through his rollercoaster life of mountain top experiences with Jesus to the valleys of denial and rebuke from the Lord that there is hope beyond our failures and mistakes.

    Series – Come Alive in 2025 Thesis: We can come back to life – with a breath from heaven – nothing is too dead for God to bring back to life! The Bible says nothing is too lifeless for God! He is the Creator who took nothing and made it something and He can bring back to life anything! Can you ...read more

  • What Did Jesus Say To Patrick?

    Contributed on Apr 1, 2025
     | 120 views

    A Scotchman (Britian and Roman Catholic) enslaved by Irish – rescued by God and sent back to Ireland to win the country for Jesus – which by the way he did!

    Sermon: What did Jesus say to St. Patrick (Maewyn Succat) A Scotchman (Britian and Roman Catholic) enslaved by Irish – rescued by God and sent back to Ireland to win the country for Jesus – which by the way he did! Most of what we know about St Patrick comes from 2 of his writings: The Confession ...read more

  • Every Action Matters

    Contributed on Apr 1, 2025
     | 129 views

    We need to come alive in 2025 and we do this by prophesying life into that which is dead and then asking the breath of Life from Heaven to enter that which is dead. We do this so people know the resurrection power of the Lord. Then we put our Words into Action

    Opening Video: Shindler’s list movie clip – I could have done more! Series: Come Alive in 2025 Thesis: We need to come alive in 2025 and we do this by prophesying life into that which is dead and then asking the breath of Life from Heaven to enter that which is dead. We do this so people ...read more

  • Peter - A Fisherman's Tale

    Contributed on Apr 1, 2025
     | 171 views

    What would be your greatest catch of a lifetime? Is it 153 large fish or is it catching a vision of your divine purpose and landing insight into your eternal purpose for God?

    Video Transition: Jesus and Peter changing the world video! “A Fisherman’s Tale” - Peter Thesis: What would be your greatest catch of a lifetime? Is it 153 large fish or is it catching a vision of your divine purpose and landing insight into your eternal purpose for God? In other words doing ...read more

  • Memorial Service Veteran

    Contributed on Apr 1, 2025
     | 101 views

    Really the freedom we enjoy today is because countless lives were sacrificed for us. The Kingdom of God applauds these mighty men and women of faith – David himself at the end of his reign makes sure the historians of Israel remember

    Memorial Service – veteran Greetings and opening prayer – thank the people for all their prayers. Cards and gifts in memory of ______. Favorite Scripture John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal ...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
     | 604 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
     | 787 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
     | 449 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
     | 492 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
     | 534 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