Learn more about our history...
Ronald A Parks was the founder and pioneering pastor of Word of Life Christian Ministries, Inc.. After sensing a call from God on his life in high school, he began attending college at Dakota Wesleyan University in 1960 to become a minister. He gradually changed his focus from ministry to athletics and education. He coached football and taught science and mathematics at both the secondary and collegiate level for about 20 years before he answered the call he had sensed as a teenager to become a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After investigating the beliefs and practices of many churches and Christian denominations, he moved his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma to receive ministry training at Rhema Bible Training Center. During this time of training, Pastor Ron and his wife Linda became active members of Grace Fellowship of Tulsa under Pastor Bob Yandian. After serving in several areas of ministry, Pastor Ron was ordained in 1982.
They returned to Mitchell, to found Word of Life Christian
Ministries, Inc. (also known as Mitchell’s Life
Church) After renting several facilities, they purchased a
former
Elks lodge at 420 N Main and dedicated it for use as a worship center
in 1989. As a church they have met for worship services, Bible studies,
prayer services, activities for young adults, teens and children,
seminars, retreats and celebrations all purposing to point people
toward our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ confessing,
It is not about us... It is
about Jesus! It's about His Gospel and it is all for His
Glory."
In 2005, Pastor Ron resigned from his role as pastor and his son, Bill Parks was named as his replacement. Pastor Bill had served as associate and youth pastor for 13 years prior to becoming the pastor of the church. He continues to lead our teen center "that place for teens" and Mitchell's Life Church as we become a life-giving family of believers who are working together in the power of the Holy Spirit to help lead others to become fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
In the spring of 2007 the church began meeting for weekend worship outside the walls of our building. While maintaining our downtown location for offices and student ministries we are still "on the go" - using more accessible venues for worship gatherings on Saturdays and Sundays. Click on the calendar tab to find where we are meeting this weekend.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.