Mike Chandler

Elder & Senior Pastor

My faith journey:

I was born in Miami, Florida to my first-generation Cuban-American mother and my father, whose family’s Alabama roots are traceable back to Jamestown settlement, Virginia. I was raised in Osceola County, where I have lived most of my life. I trusted in Christ when I was 15 years old, while responding to a Sunday morning altar call at First Baptist Church of Kissimmee. I graduated from Osceola High School in 2004 and married Melanie Ames two years later. Since then, the Lord has blessed us with five children: Caleb, Cadence, Logan, Timmy, and Daisy. I am truly blessed to say I am married to my best friend. I first felt called to pastoral ministry during our honeymoon and later realized I was called specifically to a preaching ministry when I was 24. After finishing graduate school, I began serving in my first pastorate here in Saint Cloud, serving as Lead Pastor of Harmony Community Church for almost 4 years. I came to Celebration Community Church in 2017, where God facilitated the launch of a satellite campus in Saint Cloud. I was called as Campus Pastor of that campus in 2018 and later became the Senior Pastor when the campus transitioned to operating as an autonomous church—Grace Pointe Church—in 2022.

Education:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D), Applied Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC, All But Dissertation
  • Doctor of Ministry (D.Min), Expository Preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC, 2016
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA), Grace College and Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, IN, 2013
  • Master of Arts (MA) in Ministry, Grace College and Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, IN, 2012
  • Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Technology, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN, 2010

My Publications:

My Other Works:

Books I recommend:

  • The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life by A. W. Tozer
  • A Praying Life by Paul Miller
  • The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter
  • The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper
  • The Christ-Centered Exposition Series

I would also recommend reading on notable figures in church history, including:

  • Augustine in His Own Words by William Harmless
  • Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World Hardcover by Eric Metaxas
  • George Whitefield: God’s Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century by Arnold A. Dallimore
  • Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George M. Marsden

Details
Responsibilities
Preaching, discipleship, vision
Family
My wife Melanie and I were married in 2006 and have five children: Caleb (2009), Cadence (2010), Logan (2012), Timothy (2014), Daisy (2019)
Places I’ve lived
Born in Miami, Florida, raised and married in Kissimmee, Florida, and lived in Saint Cloud since 2011
Kingdom Passion
I have a passion for the Great Commission and seeing it fulfilled in the local church. I long to see more and better disciples made in my own community and am driven to be part of the work necessary for people to come to hear and believe the gospel. I am personally passionate about expository preaching and training leaders for Great Commission work.
Hobbies
I love spending time with my family (we are vloggers and have a YouTube channel). I am a published author and enjoy writing very much. I also enjoy playing guitar and reading.
Socials