Community Corner

Christian Ministry Student Finds Calling Before Graduation

Shelby Township Christian ministry student opens satellite church in Rochester before graduation.

For 22-year-old Mike Stiner, it was early in his teenage years that he knew he wanted to touch people’s lives through ministry, but it was in Stiner’s early twenties that he found the way to make his dreams come true.

Stiner found his calling when he was introduced to the teachings of pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC.

“He was energetic, and passionate and believes in his message,” Steiner said about Pastor Furtick after watching a video clip of his service for the first time.

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After visiting the North Carolina mega-church in person, Stiner said the warmth of the congregation drew him in even further.

“The way that the whole thing works above and beyond the message is the way we greet people, and Pastor Steven preaches things that all people can find meaning,” said Stiner.

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Earlier this year, Stiner opened a satellite church for Elevation by renting out a room at the American Legion Hall off Third and Walnut streets in Rochester Hills on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m.

The one-hour worship experience projects a pre-recorded message from Pastor Furtick.

Stiner said the experience is designed to be a safe haven for people—especially young adults—seeking God.

“We really want to develop a community especially for college students and young adults. With the hard economic times, a lot of people are searching for hope and we want to be the people welcoming everyone from all backgrounds,” said Stiner.

Stiner said it was the same type of kind-hearted Christian outreach that led him to decide to make Christian ministry his life.

Stiner came from a Lutheran background and attended in Macomb Township.

“I was brought up going to a small Lutheran Church in the area and I hated it,” he said. "I felt like growing up it (attending Church) was just something you had to do.”

However, attending and volunteering at church went from an obligation for Stiner to a passion after a friend introduced him to a youth pastor at Heritage Church.

“I’ll never forget that he took an interest in my life and he didn’t have to.”

From then on, Stiner became a youth pastor volunteer and even interned at several area Christian churches.

“I know I'm not good at many things but I do know that I enjoy talking with people that I don’t know, and hearing what they’re going through and their story,” said Stiner.

In the spring, Stiner will graduate from Rochester College with a degree in Christian ministry, and plans to continue working with Elevation Church to grow it’s satellite ministry.

Elevation Church has more than 20 satellite churches as far away as Vienna, Austria and as close as Midland, MI.

“I’m sold on the vision of Elevation Church and our pastor. My dream … is to continue with this and continue to build Elevation’s dream.”


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