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Matthew 20:26 “...whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;”
When Jesus spoke these words, the term translated as “minister” comes from the Greek word διάκονος (diakonos), meaning “servant.”
When Paul wrote to the Romans, he said in Romans 15:16:
“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God…”
In this passage, Paul uses the word λειτουργός (leitourgos), which refers to one who serves on behalf of others - often in an official or sacred capacity.
Christ Jesus is the head of the church. Our ministers, therefore, are not elevated rulers, but servants of the body - they greatly enjoy fulfilling their calling to serve God by teaching, shepherding, and encouraging others, just as Christ commanded from the beginning.
Pastor Michael Sutherland
Phone:
870-918-3574
Email:
Date of Birth:
January 1981
Michael grew up in a Bible-believing church and came to faith in Christ at a young age. As he entered his teenage years, he began asking deeper questions about Scripture and his faith. That season of questioning led him to study the Bible more carefully and intentionally, seeking to understand it as it was originally given—through Scripture itself, along with the historical, cultural, and social context of its original audience. Through this study, Michael discovered that the message of Scripture was both clearer and more cohesive than he had previously understood.
This growing understanding naturally led to teaching opportunities at his home church, where he served as a youth minister and Sunday school teacher. Teaching and discipleship have remained central to his life and ministry ever since.
While pursuing an engineering degree in college, Michael continued to study Scripture with the same discipline and curiosity he applied to his academic work. During his first year of college, he met his wife, Nicole. Together, they completed degrees in engineering and science. Michael has since spent more than 20 years working as an engineer in the energy industry, while also teaching and leading seminars in churches across the United States.
In 2010, Michael sensed a clear calling from God into ministry, with a primary focus on teaching and discipleship—helping believers understand Scripture in its historical and cultural context and apply those truths faithfully in daily life. In 2025, God called Michael into formal pastoral ministry.
In June 2025, Michael, Nicole, and their daughter, Caitlin, moved from Texas to Alaska, where they now serve together at Chena Valley Baptist Church. Michael now serves CVBC as a bi-vocational pastor. Their family's shared desire is to present God’s Word in a clear, simple, and faithful way—encouraging spiritual growth while helping believers distinguish between biblical truth and traditions that can sometimes obscure it.
Michael and Nicole have been married for over 20 years, and Nicole remains a dedicated partner, serving side by side with Michael as they follow the Lord’s leading in both marriage and ministry.