Michael Thornton

Michael Thornton

Discipleship Pastor

Work: (719) 884-6105

Michael serves at First Pres as the Discipleship Pastor, leading our congregation to follow Jesus together. He loves helping First Pres sail at full tilt. Church thriving has been Michael’s vocation for over ten years. He believes belonging to a local congregation should be one of the greatest joys of one’s life. Michael is head-over-heels passionate about joining God in nurturing His bride, the Church, to be an embassy of salvation to the glory of God. In his doctoral studies, his research focus is the implementation of health in three areas of church life: the soul (Christian formation), the Word (preaching), and the congregation (transformational leadership). Michael loves teamwork and building environments where everyone knows the gifts they bring to the table and how the team grows together to achieve its mission. Michael’s wife, Cassie, is an Occupational Therapist by training and now uses her skillsets to support the global church through The Antioch Partners (TAP). Cassie’s work with TAP centers on helping keep missionaries on the field so that church plants become fully rooted and vibrant worshiping communities, generation after generation. In Michael’s free time, he loves being a friend to his guys, daddy to his four kids, and husband to Cassie. He and Cassie enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, camping, and playing pickup soccer.