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Pastor for Parenting & Family Discipleship (David) Minister for Resources & Classroom Support (Sally) David and Sally were both born in the east. David was raised in Binghamton, NY; Sally in Virginia, Rhode Island, and Ecuador. They met at Nyack College and graduated in 1976, marrying three weeks after graduation. David attended Bethel Seminary and received his M.Div. in 1979. That year he and Sally moved into the Phillips neighborhood where David spent eight years on staff with Community Emergency Service, a church-based social service agency in Minneapolis. The Michaels have attended Bethlehem since 1980, and David was called as an Associate for Urban and Neighborhood Ministries here in 1987. Their heart for children is manifested in the lives of their two daughters, Amy and Kristi. For many years, their advice, wisdom, and counsel on parenting have benefited the body of our church, culminating in their call together to our staff as ministers for Parenting and Children's Discipleship. David and Sally oversee the dedication of children to the Lord, caring for them in nursery and Sunday School, preparing (with their parents) them for baptism, and nurturing them as they grow in their faith. They have also written, promoted and circulated materials on children's worship, Sunday School curriculum, and the Fighter Verse program, both locally and nationally. Their vision for urban ministry and missions remains steadfast as they nurture the same desire to spread a passion (in our youngsters) for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples (of all ages!) A passion to make God supreme in the hearts of children has driven Pastor David Michael and his wife, Sally, to oversee the creation of God-centered children's curricula. The Michaels direct Parenting and Children's Discipleship at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With a deep desire to give children a foundation of truth to build on, the Michaels and a team of devoted partners took up the arduous task of developing curricula for Bethlehem Baptist Church. The children responded wonderfully! So did the teachers. Soon other churches were contacting Bethlehem asking for the materials. Unable to support the requests, the Children's Ministry department asked Desiring God to join the effort and publish the curricula so others could obtain the tools they need to teach their children essential Biblical truths in a God-centered, yet "child-friendly" and age-appropriate manner. Although they were created with Sunday School in mind, they include instructions for using the materials in Christian School and home school environments (the authors have significant home school experience). |
