Church Leaders
Each month, Birmingham Christian Family highlights a local church leader who is making a difference in our community. Pastor Michael Ahlemeyer is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. and has faithfully led the Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills congregation for 16 years.
1. Is there a particular person or life experience that impacted your decision to be a minister? I come from a long line of Lutheran pastors. My father is a retired pastor, and my older brother is an active pastor. They have been very influential. Going back in my family tree we can trace Lutheran pastors to the 1700’s and 1800’s. So, in many ways it has been a family legacy of service in the church. I met my wife, Jaki, while I was in seminary. She is the strongest person I have ever known. She is the greatest blessing I have ever received from the Lord. Without her, I would never have served as a pastor for the past almost 25 years. Because of her I have never in all my years of ministry had to say I can’t do a something at church because of my home or family life. She has made it all possible! We have walked through sickness where I almost lost my life and had a long rehabilitation journey. She has always been a consistent source of encouragement to me! She has literally been my rock.
2. How would you describe your church family? A people of God who live out their faith in a very authentic way. They are mission minded in both their daily individual lives and collectively as a congregation. They are the most generous and supportive congregation I have ever seen.
3. What is one thing you would like us to know about your congregation? We really stress the gift of forgiveness! So much of worship is God’s gift of pouring out His abundant forgiveness on us – over and over – grace upon grace. For us, we see worship as more than a gathering of people talking about God, but that God through His Word is present and forgiving us and filling us with His Spirit to equip us to live our lives out as the people of God as salt and light. Sitting on the top of Shades Mountain we hope our church is a light in our own small humble way to the community and beyond.
4. Describe what a family can expect when they come to worship at your church? We are a Biblically based, Christ-centered, and Gospel-focused church. In a world where the church can easily lose its identity we seek to “preach Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins,” to quote Saint Paul. Everything for us goes back to the Scriptures!
– Learn more about churches in our area, including Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills, at www.BirminghamChristian.com/findachurch. Are you or do you know a Church Leader in Central Alabama we should feature? Click here to complete the Church Leader Q&A.
