Our Pastor

Pastor Michael Freeman was installed as the Senior Pastor of Forest Preserve Bible Church on March 15, 2026. He brings more than 31 years of ministry experience and a deep passion for faithfully preaching God's Word, making disciples, and shepherding God's people.

Prior to joining Forest Preserve Bible Church, Pastor Michael served as Minister of Hampshire Colony Congregational Church beginning in 2021. Throughout his ministry, including more than 14 years as a lead pastor, he has provided biblical leadership, pastoral care, discipleship, counseling, and ministry consulting to churches and ministry leaders.

Pastor Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies, a Master of Divinity in Christian Counseling, and a Doctor of Ministry. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Theology, demonstrating his continued commitment to the study, teaching, and faithful application of Scripture.

His ministry has been characterized by a passion for evangelism, discipleship, and church health. Over the years, Pastor Michael has led numerous evangelistic outreaches, Vacation Bible Schools, children's and youth ministries, Celebrate Recovery programs, food pantry and jail ministries, young adult ministries, and leadership development initiatives. He has also been actively involved in church planting efforts throughout the Chicago area, Cicero, Illinois, near Mexico City, and Nairobi, Kenya. One of the churches established through his ministry in Kenya continues to faithfully proclaim the Gospel and serve its community today.

From 2008 to 2013, Pastor Michael served as Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sterling, Illinois, where he strengthened the church through biblical preaching, discipleship, and the development of ministries for children, youth, and adults. Throughout his ministry, he has also enjoyed mentoring pastors and church leaders, encouraging them to faithfully serve Christ and His Church.

Pastor Michael's greatest desire is to see people come to know Jesus Christ as Savior, grow in their relationship with Him through the teaching of God's Word, and become fully devoted followers of Christ. His ministry is grounded in the authority of Scripture, centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and committed to equipping believers to live out their faith with love, humility, and conviction.

Pastor Michael and his wife, Anna, have been joyfully married for 19 years and are blessed with three daughters: Sarah, Beth, and Abigail. As a family, they are grateful for God's faithfulness and consider it a privilege to serve the Forest Preserve Bible Church family as together they seek to glorify God, love one another, and make disciples of Jesus Christ.