My Story

My wife and I are survivors of the very toxic/high-control religious culture of the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement.
For the first 18 years of our marriage, we devoted every aspect of our lives to the church. In 2019, I resigned from my position as a senior pastor of a small church in central Illinois. We not only walked away from the ministry, but we also walked away from Christianity altogether.
It all started at a very young age, when I began questioning what I was being taught by my church and private school. It wasn't until I became a teenager, that I began to study the Bible for myself. After 30 years of deconstructing, reconstructing, questioning, doubting, searching, and discovering, my pursuit of the truth led me away from church, ministry, and religion.
Leaving our church, ministry, and religion was the most painful decision we had ever made together. It was also the most wonderful decision we could ever make as it opened the gates for us to explore the vast, beautiful, and pathless landscape of true spirituality while not being confined by any religious text, dogma, or creed - a landscape of healing, self-discovery, and connection.
My heart goes out to those who are stuck in toxic/high-control religion, as well as those who have left their toxic/high-control religion and don't know what to do now. You are not alone. I am here for you. This is a safe space. Let's talk.

Testimonials

"Mike's way of weaving his own experience of deconstruction and recovery from religion into his deep listening style make him a gift to anyone who is seeking spiritual direction.  Mike's kindness and gentle way of encouraging you to go deeper into your insights is a benefit that will help anyone who has the privilege of Mike companioning with them in their journey of growth." 
~ Tony
"I have really enjoyed my sessions with Michael. He listens patiently when I start to ramble and consistently identifies things that warrant further looking into. Overall, the time I've spent with him has helped me begin to find my bearings and feel less overwhelmed by the deconstruction/reconstruction journey."
~ Jared
​"I’ve been alongside Mike and his wife from the beginning of their deconstruction journey. I wasn’t raised in religion but had embraced it as an adult. When they left the church, I went with them, and we began to meet on a weekly basis to read, learn, and discover together. Mike is the one who first introduced me to the possibility that I could be free to love and be loved by a universe that is the Source of everything, without the shackles of religion with its requirements and rules. Today I am happier than I ever thought possible and have Mike to thank for opening my mind to the possibilities."
~ Cindy