Saint Luke’s is excited to welcome Rev. Michael Sanchez as our new Associate Pastor for Youth! Michael comes to us from First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, where he has been serving as the Director of Youth Ministry. His first call was to serve Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in Clemson, S.C., as the Associate Pastor of University Ministry. As a campus minister, he developed a strong theology of hospitality and welcome, a gift that he hopes to bring to Saint Luke’s!
Contact Michael: [email protected]
All About Michael
How did you know you wanted to be a youth minister? What calls you to youth ministry?
At first, I didn’t I wanted to be a youth minister, but rather a high school football coach! I resisted my youth pastor and mentor’s pushing me toward ministry for a long time, but they were right, and I accepted the call. I truly feel that the teenager and youth-adult stage in a person’s life is the most impactful time for a person because SO many defining characteristics are figured out and so many impactful decisions are made. I love getting the chance to sit with people during these stages, discuss their questions, and enjoy the highs while lamenting the lows. Also, youth is BY FAR the most fun type of ministry within the church!
What drew you to Saint Luke’s?
I talked to A LOT of people about Saint Luke’s as I discerned my call to serve there. I talked to former interns, former youth, and people in the Presbytery; they all had such positive things to say about the people and the work of Saint Luke’s.
I did a fair amount of research as well online about Saint Luke’s and I believe it was when I stumbled upon the work that you all are doing with Dodd Sterling along with the Jewish and Muslim communities in Dunwoody that I truly knew I was called to serve with Saint Luke’s. I believe that having a fantastic staff and search community is also a major plus!
What are you most excited about at Saint Luke’s?
I guess that “everything” isn’t an acceptable answer here! I think what I am most excited about is getting into the community and meeting all of the youth along with all of the wonderful people of Saint Luke’s. One of my favorite parts of ministry is hearing people’s stories, celebrating the joys, and being present during the lows!
What is your most prized possession?
I think my most prized possession would be a box of letters that my fiancé, Morgan, pulled together for my ordination. She asked so many important people in my life to write letters of celebration for me on that special day. I have a lot of things that probably cost a lot more, but that box is entirely irreplaceable!
What would the top 3 things on your bucket list be?
Go to a World Cup match, Go to Spain, and Preach at a Montreat Youth Conference
What is your best childhood memory?
Growing up the youngest of three, I always looked up to my older siblings and was thankful for any time we got to spend together. A major piece of our childhood was playing video games together for hours and hours. These long sessions of gaming with my siblings are my best memories from childhood.
If Millie (your dog) could talk what would she say about you?
She would look at me and say “You aren’t Mom! Bring me Mom!”
If you were a superhero, who would be your archnemesis?
My archnemesis would likely be a mirror of myself because I tend to be my biggest critic!
A genie grants you the ability to have infinite amounts of one item, what is it?
I’d like to be practical and say something like gold or oil, but a more truthful answer would be paper products because I use way too many of them.
Would You Rather?
Would you rather be covered in fur or in scales?
100% covered in fur, I already have hair on my body!
Would you rather know the history of every object you touch or be able to talk to animals?
I would like to be able to talk to Millie (my dog), but I would get tired of her asking where Morgan is so, as a history person, I would love to know objects’ history when I touch them as long as I can turn it off at times!
Would you rather have free flights for life or never have to pay to eat in a restaurant again?
I love the idea of free flights, but I think I would get more use out of never having to pay in a restaurant again!
Would you rather be forced to dance anytime you heard music or sing any song that pops into your head?
This is EASY! I would rather dance anytime I heard music, because I already do that!
Would you rather everything always be a little too quiet or a little too loud?
Well as someone who doesn’t have the best ears things are already too quiet, so I guess I’d take a little too loud.