Pastor Mike Souza's Bio       

I am Mike Souza and I am an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. I was ordained five years ago, but I have been part of a church staff for eleven years prior and have volunteered in church ministry since 1981.

Over the years, my service has been primarily in the area of spiritual formation and pastoral care. Sharing the good news about and helping people grow in Christ through life’s ups and downs is what I’m most passionate about. Now, as the pastor of a church, I have the privilege, responsibility and joy of sharing my passion for spiritual guidance through preaching the Word each week, administering the sacraments, and nurturing the community of disciples.

Without a doubt, the most satisfying part of my work is when I see it make a difference in people’s lives. That happens in two ways. First, when I’ve been told that by reaching out to them has helped them through a hard time or how I said something in a sermon or in a conversation that enabled them to see something in a new and positive light. Second, by officiating at a significant life event I’ve been told that the wedding ceremony, funeral, baptism or baccalaureate fit the couple, person or group perfectly.

In 2014, I graduated with a master of divinity from George Fox Evangelical Seminary (now Portland Seminary). I also hold a Masters of Spiritual Nurture and Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Mars Hill Graduate School (now The Seattle School of Psychology and Theology). I have undergraduate degrees from Denver Baptist Bible College and Colorado Christian University. I also have been trained as a CrossFit Level 1 trainer.

Not too many careers or vocations give the opportunity for families to join in the work one does. I have been blessed with a family who enthusiastically engages their faith and gets involved in church attendance. I met my wife Becky in Bible college in 1985 and were married in 1987. Lacey is our teenage daughter. We adopted her at birth in 2008. Each will share their own short bio:

Hello I am Becky Souza, Mike’s wife of almost 34 years.

I was the last of 5 children born and raised in NE Wyoming as a preacher’s kid. While growing up there were some hard times and I told God that I would “never marry a preacher”...well I guess God had other plans for me and I am so glad I found my life partner Mike! I love being part of the church and stepping in to help out wherever I am needed and where God calls me. I feel that I have a gift of mercy as I have been in the medical field for 34 years. I work as a family practice Physician Assistant and share Christ along the way. Along with working out in CrossFit I also find peace in yoga and reading. I love to participate in my daughter Lacey’s dance activities and traveling around to various places. Also enjoy a fine wine and chocolate!

     Hi, I'm Lacey and here are a few things about me.

I am thirteen and in seventh grade. My favorite subject is math because I like learning new strategies on how to solve problems. I love to play soccer especially with friends. I love to dance and I am on a competition dance team. I love working out with my parents and being fit. Even though I am tiny and I look like I can’t do much…. I can and I've deadlifted 200+ pounds, which is a lot for a 13-year-old. Sometimes I've even surprised my coaches on how much I have progressed over the years I have been working out. I love to be with my friends and sometimes we can be crazy and get out of hand but they are just like family and I love them so much. I can’t wait to meet you in person.

When I am not doing my pastoral work, I enjoy playing with our Golden Doodle “Takota.” We got her back in 2019 and is a wonderful companion and family dog. The third place I spend most of my time after home and church is at the local CrossFit gym, which has become my second church. I enjoy playing cribbage. In 2016, my partner and I were the Washington State Doubles Champions and in 2019 I had my first “28 point” hand! I am fascinated with trains, both life size and model railroading. I am a sports fan and my favorite teams are the 49ers, Giants, and Warriors and maybe eventually the Bulldogs. I enjoy traveling. Some of my favorite places to visit are Yosemite, Lake Tahoe and Monterey. Most church fellowship happens over food and drink, so when I am on the clock I’ll have a cup of coffee with cream or a latte. But, when I am off the clock, I’ll have a “hop forward” beer or glass of wine. Food is good anytime, but my favorites are grilled burgers and steak, tacos and lasagna. I like peanut butter and snicker-doodle cookies for dessert. Donuts are my downfall

             Brief Statement of Faith

There is one God who exists in holiness and love for all eternity. God is sovereign over all things created and the purpose of God’s sovereign will is good. This one God exists as three distinct, yet equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit and comprise the Trinity and is God.

Scripture is the written Word of God and is a source of God’s self-revelation. Scripture is authoritative in all things pertaining to faith and practice, is adequate to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ to humanity, and to thoroughly equip all Christians for every good work.

Humanity is the pinnacle of God’s creation, which God declared “very good.” However, human beings transgressed God’s command and sin entered the world damaging its relationship with God, self, others, and creation. The bad news is in the extent of the damage that there is nothing humankind can do in and of itself to be reconciled with God.

The Good News is that by God’s grace, even though the damage was fatal, it wasn’t final, but God’s love was on display for all human beings to see in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Faith comes to human beings as the result of God’s grace not by any personal merit, yet faith is validated by good works.

Jesus gave two sacraments, baptism and communion, to the Church as visible signs of God’s grace and as seals of this inner spiritual reality. The Church is the community of God’s people, who by virtue of the indwelling Holy Spirit, are God’s hands, feet, and heart in the world.