Alumnus Story: Micah L.

Master of Divinity — 2013

I was born into a family of ministers in western Washington. My maternal grandfather was the pastor of the church until he passed away when I was six years old, and my father was a seminary-trained associate pastor. I saw that ministry was a high priority for my family, and that legacy was one I wanted to continue.

I came to faith at a young age, believing I was a sinner and could only be saved through the sacrifice of Christ. This profession was challenged through my childhood as I came face-to-face with my flesh in new ways. The Lord always faithfully brought me back to the cross, helping me to see that the gospel was for sinners such as I.

In high school, as I began to think about how God would want to use my life and sense what I was gifted in, a preaching ministry rose to the surface. I attended The Master’s College, graduating in 2008 with a B.A. in biblical studies. During my college summers, I was able to intern with my youth pastor back home, who is a TMS graduate. I also had the privilege to serve as a resident assistant in the dorms. Both of these experiences confirmed that shepherding people with the Word of God was what I wanted to do. I knew I needed to be trained for shepherding and preaching ministry and TMS was the logical place for me to receive that training.

I currently serve as an associate pastor at Foothill Bible Church in Upland, CA. The church began as the result of a merger in 1993 and has been healthy ever since. The church is committed to making, maturing, and multiplying disciples of Jesus Christ. It has a long history of expositional preaching and raising up people for ministry. I started at this church at the same time I started at TMS. It’s a church in which I’m grateful to serve. My wife and I feel like it is our home, and we dearly love the people there. I started in youth ministry, but have since transitioned into adult ministry. Our current teaching pastor, a TMS grad as well, will be retiring at the end of June and moving to Idaho. In December, the congregation voted for me to fill his role after his departure.

The Master’s Seminary gave me the theological backbone I needed for ministry. Even though I got a Bible degree in college, it was in seminary that the things I learned in college became a conviction. It was in seminary that the truths of Scripture solidified in my mind and heart. TMS also gave me the blueprints for preaching that exalts God, equips the saints, and evangelizes the lost. It’s only when the biblical author’s intent is fully explored and the text shapes the sermon that God’s Word is accurately preached and God’s people genuinely helped. I believe that there is no other institution that better equips expositors than TMS.

As a young man going into seminary, I didn’t know how all the finances were going to work, but I knew that I needed to study there. It was such a blessing to know that there were those who were committed to helping us get through! The scholarship I received really lightened the financial load and enabled seminary to become a reality. I’m grateful to God for the gracious support of those giving to make this scholarship possible. May God richly bless them!

Equip for Gospel Ministry

The Master's Seminary exists to produce preachers—men who will spend their lives preaching the mind of God and loving His people. Learn more about the Master of Divinity curriculum at TMS.