Mike Wicks, Transitional Pastor

The Reverend Michael Wicks was named Transitional Minister for First Presbyterian Church Battle Creek beginning January 1, 2021.  Rev. Wicks will serve until a new Lead Pastor is selected.  He replaces the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Carlson who retired from ministry October 2020.

Rev. Wicks is a graduate of Colorado State University and Princeton Seminary.  He has served congregations in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for the last 36 years: in a small town in Ohio, establishing a new church development outside of Philadelphia, in New Jersey, and in a neighboring church to Battle Creek in Sturgis, Michigan.

He wrote in a communication to the membership upon his arrival:

“I will be happy to meet and share conversation with you in the days ahead.  Given the world-wide pandemic this will probably be over zoom or on the phone.  I want us to connect.  I want us to do so safely.   In the time we need to be virtual I will miss seeing you in the Sanctuary as we gather for worship on Sundays even as I will rejoice when we may gather in person responsibly again.  I am not your new “settled pastor”.  I hope the work we do together will make that eventual reality all that God knows it can be.”