meet pastor mike morgan
Pastor Mike Morgan was elected Associate Pastor of Caring Ministries for Bel Air Church in 2015. Since that time, he has humbly and dutifully shepherded, collaborated, and co-created with the incredible women and men of our discipleship and congressional care teams. Mike believes Jesus’ invitation to follow Him is not simply a journey of observation, but an invitation into a lifelong adventure of participation. He reminds us that following Jesus is about knowing and being known by God, loving and being loved by God, and allowing this loving relationship to transform us and flow out of us for the well-being of others.
He defines himself by his relationships: First, as a deeply loved child of God and a friend and follower of Jesus. As a husband to his beautiful, talented and loving wife Rebecca; father to his courageous, humorous, and curious son Benedict; a son to his loving and supportive parents; brother to his creative and compassionate three siblings and grateful friend to the many amazingly supportive people in his life.
Pastor Mike lives in Santa Monica with his wife Rebecca (Director of Life Groups), their young son, Benedict, and a faithful, happy, and loving black lab named Selah.
We recently sat down with Pastor Mike to ask him several questions:
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY VACATION?
My extended family vacations together. Can you believe it?! I consider this to be a HUGE gift from God. My favorite family vacation is to Lake Powell located on the Utah/Arizona border. To get an idea of the beauty of Lake Powell, picture the Grand Canyon with its sheer orange and red cliffs. Now fill that canyon halfway with crystal clear seventy-two-degree fresh water. That’s Lake Powell! Since I was my son’s age, I’ve enjoyed boating, wakeboarding, wake surfing, single skiing (when I can get up), cliff jumping, or just sitting on the soft sand reading a book, talking with family, or dozing off with my feet in the water. Thank you, God, for Lake Powell!
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A PASTOR?
I love that I get to have a front-row seat to God’s work in people’s lives. Whether it’s pre-marital counseling, congregational care, helping someone grow in their faith, listening to a person’s story, or teaching and preaching God’s Word, I get to see the Holy Spirit work in the lives of others in the here and now. I consider it a privilege to be invited into the sacred places and spaces of other people’s lives. Whether officiating a wedding or a funeral, bedside at the hospital, in pastoral counseling and prayer or deeply entrenched in the study and proclamation of God’s Word, I find myself filled up by the presence and pleasure of God.
Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?
When I’m not working, I’m usually finding creative ways to enjoy family time. We love going to Santa Monica beach to play in the sand and waves. We also love getting into the Santa Monica Mountains to hike and explore. Whether surfing, biking, skateboarding, scooting, running, hiking, over-landing, or camping, I look for every opportunity to get out into God’s beautiful creation. I feel renewed when my head goes under a wave, when my feet are in the sand, when I smell the mountain grass and trees, when I see the stars in the vast night sky or when I feel the wind in my face. If I were to summarize what I do when I’m not working, I am looking for ways to play with family, friends, and with God.
Q: WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING PLACES YOU’VE TRAVELED TO?
I have had the incredible opportunity to travel to countries like Japan, Mexico, Canada, Belize, France, Italy, Brazil, Israel, and Jordan. Much of this travel was through short-term Christian service teams, some was through the sport of soccer, and some was through vacation. However, the most interesting place I’ve traveled to was India. In 2004, after the tragic tsunami that devastated the coastline of India, I joined a team of five to go and see, listen, and minister to our Indian Christian brothers and sisters. At first, I was struck by the heat and humidity, the thickness of the air, and the bustling of the highways. But then I was able to see the beauty of the people, the vibrant colors and flavors of the culture, and I fell in love with the hospitality and faith of those I came to serve. India has made a lifelong imprint on my understanding of God’s global family. Meeting our brothers and sisters in India was like meeting Peter, James, John, Mary, Martha, and Priscilla; I felt as though I had met the disciples we read about in the Gospels.
Q: WHAT MAKES BEL AIR CHURCH SO SPECIAL TO YOU?
Bel Air Church, you hold such a significant and special place in my heart and story. It was through you that my brother and sister-in-law came back to the faith. It was through you that I experienced a healing community when I was in a very dark and isolated season of my life. You introduced me to my wife, you have nurtured and cared for my son and have opened your arms wide to us as a family. You continue to support and affirm God’s call in my and Rebecca’s lives. You share yourselves with us, you care for us, and you see us. You are what makes this Church community so special to me. Thank you!