By Sheila Baltzell-Linn

(12-5-22) Pastor Michael Husted became the new spiritual leader of St. Paul’s Country Church of Rockford on November 1, 2022, where the membership of the independent church welcomes him. They also invite the community to come and hear him preach from the Bible on Sunday mornings at 10 AM.

Pastor Mike’s childhood was spent in the Canton, OH area and on the shores of Lake Erie. He was raised in the United Methodist Church of his family and enjoys speaking at St. Paul’s Country Church where the wooden, vaulted sanctuary ceiling and stained glass windows remind him of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of his youth.  It was at the Methodist Church that he took his training in the Lay Speaking program. “I am God-inspired and an observer of people,” said Mike, “I learned by watching.”  He lit candles in the church as a youth, joined the church through confirmation, and attended Sunday School and Youth Group.

At age 20, he turned his life over to Christ. In the 80’s and 90’s, his calling began in youth ministry. He went on his first mission trip to Haiti at that time. Since then he has been on other Mission trips because God leads him to minister to people.

He likes the ministry – to bring the Good News of Jesus to people who need hope. Hospitals, nursing homes, funerals, church services and weddings all offer opportunities to Pastor Mike for offering people hope in Jesus Christ. He listens to the stories of people, sharing their pain and agony, joys and concerns because God understands their need to share. Pastor Mike said, “ The thrill of ministry, to me, is putting the hands of others into the hands of Jesus because its all about the relationship between us and Him. 

As a retired pastor at 63, his hobbies include: coaching youth basketball; bicycling; fishing; photography; sailing; enjoying the outdoors; playing the guitar and reading. He also loves spending time with his adult son and daughter and their spouses, and 6 little grandsons.

Pastor Mike reminds us that “The Kingdom of Heaven is here in the embodiment in Christ in His people.”

Pastor Michael Husted, will be in the pulpit with a sermon straight from the Bible on Sunday, December 11 at 10 AM. Based on Luke 1:39-49, the title is Unexplainable Joy. Community invited!

Luke 1:39-49 -New International Version

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Mary’s Song

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 
    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 
for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 
    for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.

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