Thanks for visiting Father Mike's corner, and for clicking to learn more about me! I hope you'll check back on this page from time to time, to see what I'm up to. Look below to see what I'm reading, the latest movie I've seen (and if it was any good...) and what is on my mind. Also, if you have a question about any topic - theological or otherwise, send me an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , with the subject "Ask Father Mike", and I'll put it back here with my answer!

Biography

I moved with my wife, Laurie, and daughters Kellie, Jennifer and Mariana to McKinney in August of 2004. We love it here! You can learn more about how we got St. Andrew's started in the "History" page of the website, but want to give you a little more background on who I am, and all that God has done in my life.

Born in Mineral Wells, Texas, I grew up in Austin, Charlotte, N.C., Poplar Bluff, MO, and New Braunfels, TX. A lifelong Episcopalian, I grew up in and around the church and have wonderful memories of the people and Priests who taught me. I came to faith as a Junior in High School, and since then, my life in Christ has taken off!

Shortly after I met Laurie and graduated with a Government Degree from the University of Texas, I got a Masters in Public Administration from Texas State University. After our marriage in 1991, we became involved in a big non-denominational church in Austin. In was in that context that I received my call into ministry, and got a Master of Arts in Theology from Oral Roberts University Seminary. It was a great time in my life, full of faith, learning, growth and the Holy Spirit. Soon, the Lord called me back to the Episcopal church! I was fortunate to find a mentor in the Rev. Jeff Black, who was planting an Episcopal church in Austin. I helped start that church, St. Barnabas, and then was received into the process for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Texas. I did a year at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest and was ordained a Deacon in 1999 and a Priest in 2000.

I served my Diaconal year at the wonderful St. Richards in Round Rock, and then went back to St. Barnabas in 2000. In 2002, I became the Vicar of Christ the King, in Houston. Then, in 2004, the Diocese of Dallas and McKinney came in to my life!

Through it all, God has been faithful. To follow Jesus is my heart's desire. As I've obeyed His voice, I've known wonderful people, served great churches, and started new works. McKinney is now my home. I look forward to many more years of ministry here, building up St. Andrew's to the place He's called it to be!

I hope to meet you soon, and feel free to drop me a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Ask Father Mike...

Q.  Why do we have water in the baptismal font each week at church, and why is it out as we walk in?

A.  If you notice, I'm in the habit of dipping a finger in the water and making the sign of the cross on my way in and out of our worship space.  I do that, and we place the font where we do each week (whether we have baptisms or not) because baptism is the entrance to sacramental life for Christians.  At St. Andrew's, you have to walk by the font to get up to the altar table, just as you have to be baptized before you take communion.  It is a beautiful symbol of how we must pass through the waters of baptism, and indeed become part of the community of Christians, to partake in all that the church and its sacramental life has to offer.  So give it a try - dip that finger in the water on your way into church and remember your own baptism!  And if you haven't been baptized, contact me or your local pastor and join the family.

What I'm Reading

It's been said that where you'll be in ten years depends on who you know and the book's you've read! Read a book and feed your brain - it is a good thing! Here's what I'm reading currently:

Professional Growth - Searching for Sacred Space: Essays on Architecture and Liturgical Design in the Episcopal Church., ed. John Ander Runkle. Great reading as we have completed our Master Plan for our property, and are worshipping in non-traditional environments. I've especially enjoyed Brantley Gasaway's article on "Highly Effective Episcopal Architecture: Integrating Architecture and Worship to Reflect a Church's Identity".

Fun - Thomas Cranmer:  A Life, Darmaid MacCulloch. I've been wanting to read this book for about eight years now, and am finally getting around to it!  A thorough (that means long!) account of Cranmer's life, Archbishop of Canterbury and a "founding father" of the Anglican church.

The Last Movie I Watched Was....

Horton Hears a Who Pretty good, with a good message.  My children enjoyed it, but were not moved by it.  Give me movies like "The Lion King" and  "Mulan" that make us want to be better people.  You will like this movie, but it could be better!