Rev. Dr. Mike Voigts has been in pastoral ministry since 1993, when he served as an Associate Pastor right here at First Methodist in Waco. After serving churches in both Texas and Kentucky, he joined the faculty at Asbury Theological Seminary in 2017, serving as a Professor of Christian Spirituality and Theology. In May 2025, he left higher education to return home as First Methodist’s Senior Pastor.

Mike was born in Iowa but spent most of his childhood in New Orleans until his family moved to Dallas, where he graduated from Lake Highlands High School.

Mike holds a B.A. from Baylor University, an M.Div. and D.Min. from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Brunel University (through London School of Theology) in England.

Whether in a local church or a seminary classroom, Mike has stressed that the faithfulness of a local church begins with the faithfulness of each person within the local church. In preaching, he strives to show how God’s Word is relevant to our everyday lives. He enjoys introducing people to Christians throughout history, revealing how much we can learn from these giants in our faith.

Mike is the author of Regere Animas: Spiritual Direction in the Letters of Bernard of Clairvaux (2013), and most recently, The Fourth Degree of Prayer (2022), written for laypersons.

Mike and Sheryl have been married for 36 years. Their grown children and their families live in the Dallas area. Mike is an enthusiastic fan of all Baylor sports, the Chicago Cubs, and Liverpool FC in England’s Premier League. The administrator of their home is Gracie, their Yorkshire Terrier.