Mike’s life has been shaped by lived experience—real work, real responsibility, faith tested over time, and the consequences of real decisions. Over 17 years in his family’s retail business, he spent his days working with people in his community—building trust one conversation at a time, while staying closely connected to the families and local life around him—and experienced firsthand how government bureaucracy affects small businesses. Those relationships gave him a grounded understanding of responsibility and the everyday realities families face.

While working full-time, Mike returned to college, determined to finish what he started. His career in education has given him experience teaching children from kindergarten through middle school, working in school libraries, and serving in school leadership. Teaching wasn’t just a profession—it meant showing up consistently, listening carefully, and earning trust over time. As an educator, Mike worked to make sure students, parents, and fellow teachers felt supported—especially when patience, understanding, or encouragement mattered most.

Most recently, Mike and his wife Michelle spent nearly ten years living overseas, including 3 years in Dubai followed by time in China before, during, and after the COVID pandemic. Being far from home during extraordinary times tested them, strengthened their faith, and reminded Mike of a simple truth he’s continuing to learn—that God is in control, timing matters, and community carries us through.

After returning to Southport to be closer to family, Mike and Michelle settled into a quieter rhythm—reconnecting with friends, staying engaged in the community, and enjoying hands-on work like woodworking and pottery. Whether it’s helping a struggling student, a neighbor, or someone facing loss, Mike’s instinct has always been the same: to walk toward the need, not away from it.

If Mike sounds like someone you’d want to stand with, click below to see how you can take part.