Canyon Creek Church | Mill Creek, Lynnwood and South Everett, Washington
This Week's Sermon
Mike James_Men's ministry director
Depending on how you look through the window of life, my life can seem to be very plain to the casual observer. I believe though in what is unseen and I am very excited about what God is doing! I was born in the Buckeye State – O-H-I-O!! (I am a very proud Buckeye and Cleveland sports team fan to a fault) I grew up in the small town of Malvern, Ohio, which consists of 1200 people and 1 stop light until about 5 yrs ago when we went big and got a second stop light. I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home in the same area for the first 18 yrs of my life. After graduating from high school I went to Valley Forge Christian College near Philadelphia, PA to get my pastoral ministries degree. After spending two years there I went on a spring break trip to Pensacola, FL and walked into one of the largest revivals to hit America and I heard God ask me to lay down Valley Forge and go to the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry (BRSM).
In 2001 I graduated from BRSM and moved to Minneapolis, MN and then I moved to Seattle, WA with my college roommate in 2002. In Oct 2002 I met my wife, Annika, while working at a Washington Mutual in Bothell, WA and it all started with her asking me, “Do you want to go to church with me?” She had me at “Hello” and on May 15th, 2004 we were married.
In 2005 we went to Shoreline Community church and volunteered in a marriage ministry called “Teammates” for 6 years. During this time we were blessed with the opportunity to teach, plan events, and work together as a team with a great group of leaders. During this time we had our two girls, Elise(4) and Hannah(2), and we just added our third, Audrey(N). In 2011 Annika and I felt God call us to go to Canyon Creek Church and a few months after that the campus moved 5 minutes from our front door. Our family is very excited to see what God is going to do through His church and how He is going to allow us to be a part of it.
I have a strong passion to see those who the world has cast aside and encourage them to see a glimpse of how God actually sees them. Once they start understanding that identity, I then enjoy walking with them through the next part where God changes their thinking and grows them for something more. I believe that God is real and that he loves us and because of that I believe that God wants to raise up leaders that will lead their families, lead their church, and lead the local community to create a place of faith, hope, and love for this world. (1Cor 13)
Married To: my beautiful wife, Annika – May 15, 2004
Children: Elise Eliana, born June 2008, Hannah Karin, born May 2010, Audrey Victoria, born Sept 2012
What I Do For Fun: I like being out of the house on off days, I like going to sporting events, I like reading, I love playing with my girls, and I also like to split wood to get outside in the quiet (Weird huh?).
What TV Shows I Watch: If I had cable it would be all EPSN and sports. I instead watch NCIS, the Closer, Prison Break, and The Ultimate Fighter.
What Movies I Recommend: Field of Dreams, Top Gun, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Avengers and for any sports fan – Baseball - by Ken Burns (Documentary)
What I Eat: Thai, I love those hole in the wall breakfast places that I could find on the east coast, ie. Maltby Café. If we’re going to do it right; Betty in Queen Anne is EPIC.
What I Drive: 2005 Hyundai Elantra, I dream that it is a full size truck sometimes. Just doesn’t have the same roar in the engine.
Where I Shop: Apple, Amazon, and A&E seem to be a trend here….and wherever there is a sale.
What I Drink: Soy White Chocolate Mocha
What I Want For Christmas (or someday): That full size Toyota truck.