Mike Freeman - Youth Pastor
Hey there, this is Mike and I am thrilled to serve as the Pastor of Youth Ministries at LifeWay Church in Federal Way, WA. In fact, shortly after I placed my faith in Jesus Christ, this was the very church that I found myself in. I grew up in a family without awareness of the Lord, but when I was ten years old, a family friend took one of my brothers and I to a weekend Christian festival called Jesus Northwest. It was there I learned the story of Christ, and trusted in Him for the first time. After that experience a Christian neighbor began to take me and my brothers to church with him on Sundays. I had a good time, but through middle school church really became about the 2 G’s for me, girls and games.
Then in high school I went through some crisis and found myself lost and broken over some situations in life and the way I was responding to those situations. Looking back I can see how God used that time period of my life to show me faith is not just about what is convenient or fun to me, but it really comes down to looking to Him, and trusting Him in all things. Those years I grew through the trials and started to see how God might use me in other’s lives.
From there I went to college at the University of Washington, and majored in International Studies of Latin America with a minor in Spanish, but the real education came in serving God and begin mentored. I took on greater roles in my church youth ministry and served in a leadership capacity in University Christian Fellowship’s campus ministry at UW. Both in church and at school I had incredible Godly men walk with me and share their lives with me. Those men made an indelible mark on my life and helped me see God’s call on my life. I also had the joy of marrying my best friend, Jessica, during my last year in college. She continues to be such an incredible encouragement and partner in life, and I absolutely love seeing her now as the mother of our two precious kids, Jayden and Michella.
Now, I am finishing up an MDiv degree at Multnomah University, which is great because Portland is a long commute! My family and I are eager to have more time together as the graduation approaches, and we are also pumped to see how God will lead us in this next season of our life.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Mike Freeman