Steve Wolfgang has preached the gospel since 1966 in local churches in Atlanta, Nashville, Louisville, and elsewhere, and in diverse places overseas, including Europe, Australia, Russia, and China. Since 2008 he has worked with the church at Downers Grove in suburban Chicago. Steve taught history at the University of Kentucky for nearly two decades, and is a co-editor of the new hymnal, Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. He can be reached at stevewolfgang@aol.com.

TRANSITIONS

I first knew Mike when we were both students at Florida College—back in the long ago—when his head was covered with hair!

Mike is a native Texan, successfully transplanted to the Hoosier state, where, believe it or not, he became something of a Bobby Knight fan—especially on those rare occasions when they beat the Kentucky Wildcats!

While not flaunting his degrees, Mike has pursued formal education well beyond the level of many of his peers. After Florida College, he received his undergraduate degree at Butler University, with graduate degrees from Christian Theological Seminary and Indiana University. While his educational path is similar to my own, I hasten to point out that he is much older than I am!

Working together with Mike during his editorial tenure with Truth Magazine, I have come to know him as a level-headed leader, deliberate in making decisions while avoiding temptations to rash judgments.

A man of true conviction, Mike is stalwart in defense of the truth—but good-natured, with a ready smile. Quick to laugh, he loves a good joke—even about his hair (or lack thereof), or otherwise at his own expense!

Another of Mike’s sterling qualities is that he accepts criticism gracefully, whether from what Daniel Sommer once described as “friendly friends” or “unfriendly friends.” Too many Christians, even preachers, seem too often to lack this ability, but Mike is a model which many of us could well emulate.

To me, one of Mike’s most admirable qualities is his unwillingness to think ill of another brother unless there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Even so, once convinced, he is willing to rebuke or expose the false teaching even of friends, if it becomes necessary to do so.

Mike’s devotion to Sandy and to his children is exceeded only by his devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ—which is the best tribute one can give to any man!