As the father of a child with special needs, Mike personally understands the unique challenges facing these families today. For over ten years Mike has had personal experience helping families whose children have a wide range of disabilities. As a result, Mike has a passion to serve as a resource to these families.

Mike was born at Bergstrom Air Force Base on April 6, 1967 and lived in Austin for twenty-four years. Shortly after high school graduation from Kirby Hall, Mike pursued undergraduate studies locally, attending The University of Texas at Austin where he earned a 1990 B.A. with an emphasis in Kinesiology and Health Research.

1991 proved to be an exciting year as Mike moved to Fort Worth to serve as an Associate Pastor at a local church. In December, he married his still-lovely bride Candace Holubec. That same year, he began graduate study at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, later graduating with a Masters of Divinity, Biblical Languages.

For the next fourteen years, Mike ministered to people through churches in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma and has served in many full-time pastoral roles including: Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, Education Pastor, Executive Pastor, as well as Senior Pastor. Throughout this time, a continual flow of individuals and families sought Mike’s and other pastor’s prayers, wisdom and counsel for their personal, relational, emotional and mental needs. The overwhelming need for more trained, caring, professional counselors spurred Mike to return to school in order to meet this need.

In 2004, Mike, Candace and their four children returned home to central Texas. Mike lives with his family in Round Rock.  He too provides Special Education Advocacy Servies.  He has received his Masters in Counseling (LPC/LMFT) at St. Edward’s University and is now a Licensed Counselor, with an emphasis on counseling with family who have children with special needs.  While serving in area churches as needed, Mike assists Cirkiel & Associates, P.C. in Community Awareness, both secular and religious.