Pastor Michael Harding
Senior Pastor
Pastor Mike Harding was saved as an eight-year old boy through the bus ministry of Marquette Manor Baptist Church in Chicago and accepted the call to preach at 11. Mike attended Bob Jones University in 1974, and after graduation from BJU, Mike served as youth pastor for six years at Oak Forest Baptist Temple and then went on to accept the call to pastor First Baptist Church of Troy in 1985. Pastor Harding serves on the boards for the Gospel Fellowship Association and Bob Jones University.
Burden: “My greatest concern for our families is that they would continue to develop deep theological convictions and personal values that reflect a consistent commitment to the principles of Scripture in order to positively impact their children and community with the Gospel of Christ. Our post-Christian culture in America has increasingly become more militant in its paganism. The influence of this culture upon our families is pervasive. More than ever there must be a commitment to personal Bible reading, prayer, godly discipline, faithfulness to the NT church, and separation unto God. My task as pastor is to help our families deepen their commitment to Christ, the Bible, and the NT church through the pulpit and teaching ministries of our church, and through the disciple-making ministries of Bethany Christian School, Adult Bible Fellowship, Family Bible Institute, Sunday School, and Expedition clubs.”
Training:
- Bob Jones University: B.A. Bible
- Bob Jones University: M.A. Bible
- Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary: M. Div.
- Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary: Th.M.
- Maranatha Baptist Bible College: Honorary Doctor of Divinity (1995)
Years in Ministry: 1979 to present
Family: Mike has been married to his wonderful wife and companion in ministry, Jennifer, for over 30 years. They have four married adult children: one son, Luke, and three daughters, Rebecca, Rachel, and Maaike. They also have several grandchildren.
Pastor Ben Dawley
Music Ministries
Training:
Years In Ministry:
Family:
Pastor Preston Bayless
Adult Ministries
Pastor Preston has been involved in pastoral ministry since 1989. He sensed the Lord’s call into full time ministry while still in high school. He received his undergraduate training from Bob Jones University and is in the process of completing a master of divinity degree at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. His desire is to see every member of FBCT maturing in Christ through a proper understanding of Scripture and consistent application of its principles.
Pastor Preston coordinates the adult education ministries at First Baptist Church including the Adult Bible Study on Sunday mornings and Family Bible Institute on Wednesday evenings. He also oversees the Fellowship Class for the church’s senior saints and teaches in Bethany Christian School.
Training:
- Bob Jones University: B.A. Bible
- Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary: M.Div. (in progress)
Years In Ministry: 1989 to present
Family: Preston and his wife, Carla, were married in 1995. Carla grew up in the ministry of FBCT and is a graduate of Bethany Christian School. Carla teaches elementary music in BCS. She also serves as an accompanist and teaches piano and clarinet.
Pastor Jon Michalek
Young Adult Ministries
Pastor Jon was saved as a young boy and called to preach while in Junior High. He received his undergraduate degree in Bible from Bob Jones University in 2003 and has been on staff at FBCT since graduating. While serving at First Baptist Church of Troy, he earned both his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary.
Pastor Jon serves as the young adults pastor and teaches Bible in Bethany Christian School. He also oversees the daily operations of the church business office.
Training:
- Bob Jones University: B.A. Bible
- Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary: M.Div.
- Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary: Th.M.
Years In Ministry: 2003 to present
Family: Jon and Janelle have four children.
