Board Member Spot Light

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  John 13:34

Mike Stroud knew the love of GOD as a very young child.  When he was 4-5 years old, he recalls hearing about the love of GOD from his dear, sweet grandma, Lillian, and two ladies at Mt. Carmel Holiness Mission in Indiana who, “loved on little Mikey.”  Sister Moody and Dorothy.  These three ladies made sure that Mike knew Jesus loved him.

As family circumstances changed, Mike moved to Ohio when he was six.  A year later, the family moved to Missouri.  When he was seven years old, he found a church close to home.  “I remember walking by myself to church and back every week” Mike recalled.  Later, Mike’s mother married, and the family became very active in the church.  As Mike reflects on his early years of faith, he recalls, “growing up I always had Jesus.”

Unfortunately, due to being a "military kid" the family was transferred to Utah between Mike's junior and senior year of high school.  Mike never really found a "home church" in Utah where he graduated high school and college.  During Mike’s college years, “It was kind of like I put Jesus on a shelf and told him I will call you if I need you.’” After college, Mike transferred to Texas.  Sometime later, the opportunity came to lean into his faith again when he started going to church at First United Methodist Arlington in 1988.  Soon he realized Methodism was the right denomination for him and he became very active in his church and the UMC Central Texas Conference.  He held many leadership positions in both.  Upon getting married for the first time and moving to Burleson, he began attending FUMC Burleson in 2010.

As Mike approaches serving in the church, he prays first asking GOD to show him where and how to serve.  As I talk to Jesus about serving, I call it “our church" instead of "my church".  “Show me how I can serve in our church, Jesus."  Mike really thinks his spiritual gifts are hospitality and administration.  He definitely has a servant's heart.

Though Mike recently retired from his full-time government accounting career, he is anything but retired.  He has been active with the Special Olympics as a volunteer for more than 40 years.  “You can not be more blessed than to be loved on by a Special Olympics athlete.” 

Additionally, he has recently agreed to serve on the Leap of Faith Resale non-profit Board of Directors.  “I’m glad to be on the ground floor.  When Glynis Gates asked me to join the board, I spent about three weeks in prayer, and I felt like GOD told me, 'Yes, you can be a help here.'”  The ministry is in the very early stages.  “We are kind of in the hallway waiting to go into the space God would have us serve.  We are working to get everything in order.”  In the first year of Leap of Faith Resale Mike is hopeful, “we are feet on the ground and open, while productively helping people in a meaningful way.”  At the five-year mark, Mike sees Leap of Faith Resale providing those in need with multiple opportunities - - food, house wares, special support events, etc.  “I hope we will be a growing part of the community we serve.”

At FUMC Burleson Mike currently serves as the Chair of the Administrative Council and our church's Lay Leader.  Accordingly, Mike has also been our church's layperson representative to the annual conference and is very excited to have been a participant in both the Central Texas Conference and the formulation and commencement of the brand new Horizon Texas Conference.  Mike is proud to be a member of FUMC Burleson, and he has big dreams for ourchurch’s future.  “I hope we are meeting the needs of those in the community.  I want our finances to be secure. I want the people of Burleson to think of our church when they think of great churches in the community.”  Mike is strongly committed to the belief that “all means ALL!”  “That’s what I really want our church to be.  It is so important that we are welcoming, open, attentive, inviting, and serving every single person within our community!”

 So, what word does Mike offer to others who may be struggling a bit with their beliefs or wondering if this life of faith is really important?  Mike believes that, “hard times are teaching moments – learning opportunities.  Holding on to your hope, persevering, and growing your character…that’s where it’s at.”  Remembering, “there are people everywhere who want to help.  You have to realize when you don’t ask or you say no to help, you are robbing others of the blessing of helping you. It is okay to ask for help.” 

Mike cautions when hard times come, we must never give up hope.  That’s when self-pity, wallowing, and self-denial can seep into our lives.  To fellow members of the congregation, he would encourage us to watch for where we can help.  “God has a way of putting people in your path who need your help.  I call being present for one another and helping one another the BIG C…COMMUNITY.”  Actually seeing other human beings as Jesus saw them.....brothers and sisters."

Mike was recently blessed to marry Stephanie Ayala Stroud.  They have been married just over one year, and they are blessing their congregation at every turn!  He recalls, as he smiles, inviting Stephanie to stay for pot-luck lunch the first day she visited worship.  There’s that hospitality gift!

“Love GOD, and love people.”  That’s in Mike’s core - his mission - his purpose.  Thank you, Mike, for looking for ways to help, loving GOD, loving people, giving hope to others!  Most of all, Mike…thank you for being you!