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 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 has completed a number of classes 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 serves as the administrative pastor and 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: Select Classes
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 Ben Dawley
Music Ministries
Born in Rochester Hills, Ben has been involved in choirs, bands and ministry from an early age. Ben received both his bachelor (B Mus – Church Music) and masters degrees (M Mus – Performance) from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina under the instruction of Dr. Paul Overly, and has received instruction from Dr. Zach Collins (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), Brandon Jones (USAF, Washington D.C.), David King and current teacher Steven Mead (international soloist & professor of euphonium at RNCM; Birmingham, UK). Ben has had the opportunity to perform and solo with various ensembles including the Troy Metro Symphony Orchestra, Chemical City Band, Midland Concert Band, Motor City Brass Band, Mid-Michigan Brass Band, Motor City Academy Brass Band and the United Stand Army Field Band. He is currently the principal euphonium of the Five Lakes Metro Brass Band.
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Ben has been teaching and ministering for 20 years as a music pastor, band and choir director and private instructor in South Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan. His desire is that believers both young and old use their talents to glorify God, encourage fellow believers, and enrich lives through music.
Family:
Ben and his wife live in Sterling Heights, and they have four children: Emma, Claire, Liam, and Colin.
Pastor Ben Michalek
Children’s Ministries
BCS School Pastor
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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.
Pastor Dan Smith
Youth Ministries
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Family:
