Jefferson Street Christian Church welcomes new pastor

[November 03, 2014]  LINCOLN - Jefferson Street Christian Church, 1700 North Jefferson Street, Lincoln, Illinois announced their call to a new Senior Minister, Michael V. Mallick. With a unanimous call from the Search Committee, the Congregational Elder Team, and the Congregational members, Mr. Mallick has accepted the call and began his service to the church on November 1st, preaching his first sermon on this past Sunday.

Michael was born in Streator, Illinois on November 7, 1965. He grew up in Streator with four siblings. He attended the Woodland High School in Streator and graduated in 1983. Following his graduation Michael started work for the Hyatt corporation in Lisle, Illinois from 1986 - 1989. During that time Michael realized he had a higher calling of leading people to an ever growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Michael was baptized at the Central Church of Christ in Streator, Illinois on September 27, 1987.

In 1989 Michael enrolled in Bible College at the Lincoln Christian University. After a four-year study at the University Michael graduated with a focus in Christian Ministries and Preaching. Michael was ordained into Christian Ministry on May 23, 1993 at the Central Church of Christ in Streator, Illinois. He continued with his education in Christian Ministry by working toward a Master's Degree in the Seminary at Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln and Johnson Christian University in Knoxville, Tennessee.
 

Michael has ministered in Christian Churches in Illinois, Florida, and Oklahoma. He began his ministry as Minister of Youth in 1992 at the Northwest Christian Church in Decatur, Illinois. From there Michael was called to the Westside Christian Church in Bradenton, Florida as their Minister of Youth. From that ministry Michael was called to the Christview Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma as their Senior Minister. After leading that congregation at Christview through a capital and building campaign resulting in a 1.8 million dollar addition to their building in 2003, Michael was called back to Florida at Bradenton where he worked with a small group of Christians to plant a new congregation in that area with the Crossroads Christian Church. With a small group of only about 15 faithful Christians, Michael led that congregation as their Senior Minister over the next ten years. During the past two years that congregation purchased debt free the land to construct a new church building being led in that venture with Michael's leadership and continued preaching.

Michael has two adult children, Gabriella and Jonah, both of whom continue to live in Bradenton, Florida. In his spare time Michael runs in marathons and half marathons. Over the past few years he has participated in the Tulsa Marathon - 2004; Disney Marathon 2006; Grandma’s Marathon 2006; Chicago Marathon 2007; Orlando Half Marathon 2008; Sarasota Half Marathon 2009; and multiple 5k races. Other hobbies include his desire to read, hike, fish, and be outdoors. He also has written a children’s rhyming book called, “Puffy” in 2005; and is currently working on a second children’s rhyming book called, “Ockey.”

Although with no date set as yet for their wedding, Michael is engaged to Beth Garretson. Their plans will be solidified for that event over the coming months.

To sum up Michael's passion for preaching, his objective at Lincoln is to continue with his ministry being tied in with Jefferson Street Christian's vision of being "A caring community growing to be continually rooted in Jesus, related in community, and reaching people. Michael said of his desire, "I absolutely love preaching God’s Word and allow His Word to work through me and my messages to change lives. I not only love seeing people coming to a saving faith in Jesus Christ but love to help others draw nearer to Him."

The Jefferson Street Christ Church family invites everyone in the community to visit the church and meet our new Senior Minister, Michael V. Mallick. Sunday morning worship times are 9:00 am and 10:45 am.

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