On March 4, our new Online Campus launches with Pastor Mike Humphrey leading the community. Approximately 5,500 people watch one of the Rock Church services online every week in over 30 countries! Pastor Mike will be leading this community into a deeper relationship with Christ, into a deeper understanding of themselves through LIFE Class, and into deeper relationships with other believers through rGroups. We sat down to find out a little more about him.
Tell us a little bit about your family!
I’ve been happily married for 9 years to my high school sweetheart Bryanna. We have three awesome kids. My oldest son is 7 years old and he is very intelligent. He has already read through the action Bible and is working his way through a grown-up Bible right now. My daughter is 5 and she is super sassy and funny. She loves to dance and she is incredibly loving. My youngest son is 3 and is full of lots of cuddles, kisses and the occasional fit! He loves to dress like a superhero and on any given day can be found fighting a bad guy in the yard with his superpowers! I am so blessed to have a home that is filled with so much personality and love.
When was the moment that you came to Christ?
I was in my bed having a long phone conversation with my girlfriend (future wife) and we were talking about the Lord and all that I was learning. Right then and there I decided to put my faith in Jesus. Another huge milestone in my journey with Christ was when I decided to get baptized at a Jr. High camp when I was a cabin leader. This was so impactful because I was baptized as a baby in the Catholic Church and now I was making the decision to be baptized as an adult.
What brought you to Rock and how long have you been here?
Back in 2005 my girlfriend at the time, now wife, asked me to go to church with her. I was a Catholic and hesitant to go to her “Christian” church. I agreed to go with her to The Rock if she would go to my church (I figured I would google Catholic churches in my area and take her to the closest one). We never got that far because I went to the Rock with her and ended up loving Pastor Miles' preaching. I got saved at the Rock and started serving in youth ministry.
You started off as the youth pastor for East County Campus, what is your favorite memory during that time?
My favorite memory during that time would have to be student leadership. I had the privilege of being able to meet weekly with 12 amazing students where we would grow, plan events for the High School ministry and tell jokes. These kids became part of my family and I still keep in touch with almost all of them on a regular basis.
Did you always think you’d be a pastor?
No, I was all over the place with what I wanted to be when I grew up. It changed multiple times over the course of a few years while I tried to make my own path for my life. It wasn’t until I started volunteering as a youth director that I realized God had placed a calling on my life to be in full-time ministry.
What led you to this Online Campus Pastor position?
Truthfully, I knew very little about this position when it was brought to me as a potential new role. But from the moment my wife and I started praying about whether or not this was our next step in ministry, the Lord made it very clear that this is what He was calling me to. There was an excitement for the extreme amount of ministry that could be done through the online platform that stirred a fire in my heart for this role!
Why is an Online Campus necessary? Why is it different than our current online experience?
The online campus is necessary because it gives the Church the ability to reach people all over the World. The church is not defined by its building but by its people. The Online Campus will be a platform that will allow thousands of people to connect with each other and grow deeper in their relationships with the Lord. What sets the Online Campus apart from a live stream is that people who watch on Sunday now have an opportunity to grow in their faith throughout the week and grow in relationships with other believers.
Can you share why you are passionate about pastoring the online community?
I am passionate about pastoring the online community because I understand that there are real people behind computer screens and iPads who are dealing with real issues. They have gifts and abilities that are God-given and I am passionate about seeing them walk in these gifts.
What is your vision for the global Rock Church community?
I want to see people all over the world starting groups in their homes and serving their communities. San Diego County has been blessed by the countless hours and love that has come from the people who call the Rock Church their home. This comes from a unique passion to serve and help others which is inspired by the words from our Pastor every Sunday. I can see these groups in locations all around the globe empowered to do the same for their communities.
Anything else you’d like to share?
You may still be skeptical at this point about whether or not a church can exist online. Church is about relationships and about people working together to serve Jesus. Once we remove the traditional definition of church being in a building and we adopt the biblical definition of church being a people then the online community becomes easier to understand. People are connecting with each other every day via social media and online platforms. It’s time for us to be the light of the world and utilize the way people are choosing to connect to bring them Jesus!
How can people get involved?
Pastor Mike: If you attend the Online Campus and you are unable to attend a physical campus then I would encourage you to invite your friends over to do church together. If you would like to become part of our team, visit online.sdrock.com and sign up to serve!
