Pastor Michael and Mrs. Debby Sheldon
Hello, my name is Michael Sheldon. I have been married for nearly 23 years to Debby Sheldon, and together we have raised two beautiful children who are now 21 and 18!
I was born in Plano, TX in 1981 to parents who were heavily involved in the local church. My parents rightfully housed dozens of foster children of varied racial and cultural backgrounds. This instilled deep in my make up a love and connection with others across cultural, racial, and socio-economic boundaries. My fourth-grade year, we moved from Texas to Oregon where my dad began a career in Christian education, and I would unknowingly meet my future spouse, Debby, while attending VBS.
I would spend the next several years in Oregon, eventually dating Debby through most of high school. When my dad accepted a role in Anchorage, AK my senior year, I gave Debby a promise ring, and we married 6 months after high school graduation. She joined me in Anchorage where a year and a half later we would bring our first daughter into the world.
After 4 years of volunteer multi-cultural ministry in the local church, Youth for Christ, and Young Life, we moved to Portland, OR where I would attend Multnomah University and work as the Pastor of Urban Missions in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Cornerstone Church. I completed a 4-year degree with a double major in Bible & Theology and Leadership and Ministry, Bachelor of Science Degree. We had our second daughter while in Portland.
The Portland ministry worked primarily with persons of Mexican, Russian, and Chinese origin who had all come to America for various reasons and means. God drew dozens of people into his Kingdom and we learned a lot about being learners and listeners when working with others.
When the funding for our ministry was no longer available, we relocated to the High Desert of Central Oregon where we would continue to see God draw underserved people to himself through our presence.
This lasted for 10 years when God called us to a very different role among a church that was aging and desiring to look to the future. To make a beautiful but long story short, after 4 years together we all decided that God would have our church dissolve and give all of our real estate and financial assets to a local Spanish speaking congregation who were also a part of the Venture Church family. In the years since this transition happened, the pastor there has happily reported that there have been many baptisms and great effectiveness in the community. God is so good!
We relocated to pastor a church in North Carolina where we now reside, but have since resigned from the ministry there. The bonus is that I took a job working at the local Chick-Fil-A to make ends meet and God is drawing people to himself there. To better work with and relate to my Spanish speaking co-workers, I use my breaks to learn Spanish and we are slowly having entry level conversations in their heart language. I have had gospel conversations with 6 of my teammates and they are telling others all about it! God is so good!
In my 20 years of volunteer and vocational ministry God has cultivated in me a deep love for people of all ages and walks of life and the ability to connect across cultural boundaries. I am committed to seeing people through to Jesus’ capable arms and to developing followers of Jesus who engage in His mission.
The Holy Spirit has gifted me as an evangelist, expository preacher, and pastor. My leadership strengths are securely in the areas of strategy, ideation, connectedness, winning others, and belief. I am a highly relational and collaborative person whose creative and strategic approach moves people to increased faithful and effective ministry. As a careful student of Scripture, I have a passion to help people to understand the Word of God so that they can respond to Him with clarity and purpose. With keen relational skills, I seek out ways to connect with people, forging gospel opportunities and partnerships. As a competent and confident leader, I serve by developing each person through listening well and empowering them for faithfulness to God. I have served the local church in Alaska, Oregon, and North Carolina.
First Baptist Church of Nogales
Join us to worship, learn, and focus on the Lord.
Contact Us
office @fbcnogales.org
(520) 281-1677
9am-2pm Monday, Thursday,
and Friday
Find Us
1916 N. Frank Reed Rd Nogales AZ 85621
Stay Connected
First Baptist Church of Nogales
Contact Us
office @fbcnogales.org
(520) 281-1677
1916 N. Frank Reed Rd Nogales AZ 85621
Stay Connected
First Baptist Church of Nogales
Contact Us
office @fbcnogales.org
(520) 281-1677
9am-2pm Monday, Thursday,
and Friday