Mike Willis

Hi, my name is Mike Willis. God has given me an amazing opportunity to serve as the Pastor of Rejoice Lutheran Church! Words can’t express what a privilege it is to be able to assist and equip our staff and lay leaders so they can effectively help families live healthy and balanced lives allowing them to better love God, each other, and their neighbors.

I enjoy using the gifts God has given me to serve others, especially in the areas of leadership development and vision casting. I am humbled to have had the opportunity to lead such a fantastic team of people who have a passion for walking alongside others and creating more and better disciples for Jesus Christ.

I am happily married to my beautiful bride Michelle Willis. We were married on June 24, 2006. I am the proudest father in the world having three wonderful children Megan, Christian, and Luke. Michelle is a family medicine physician at Ascension Health Medical Group in Huntley. Megan loves gymnastics, flute, and choir. Christian is our boy who loves all things sports and taekwondo. Luke also enjoys sports, taekwondo, and WWE like his brother.

Some of my hobbies include CrossFit, powerlifting, and watching and participating in almost any sport, especially football, wrestling, and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). I also love hanging out with my friends and family, volunteering at Leadership Lab and especially spending time with my wife, Michelle.

Before coming to Rejoice, I served as the Youth and 20/30’s minister at Redeemer Church, a multi‐site ELCA congregation in Park Ridge and Chicago, for 10 years. I also have been a volunteer leader and director at Leadership Lab, a weeklong ELCA youth leadership laboratory at Augustana College, for over 20 years.

I can’t wait to see what God has in store for our next season of ministry at Rejoice!