By Loretta Fulton

A lot of kids would have gotten burned out on church if they had gone as much as Mike Greenfield did when he was growing up in Snyder. 

But fortunately for First Baptist Church that didn’t happen to Mike. After graduating from Snyder High School in 1979, Mike planned to be a lawyer but someone at his church told him that ministry would be a good fit. All it took was one mission trip and he was convinced.

“Between my junior and senior years, I served as a summer missionary preaching at youth revivals in Hawaii,” he said, “and came home from that experience knowing that ministry was where I was headed.”

After several jobs in different cities, Mike arrived at First Baptist Church in Abilene on April 1, 1996–and he’s been there ever since. On Sunday, April 12, the church honored Mike for his 30 years of service. And, after all these years, he’s staying put. 

“First Baptist Church has been, is, and continues to be my home, and I cannot think of a better place to be.”

Mike Greenfield

BIO

Current position: Pastor for Administration and Spiritual Development (since 2004)
Previous related positions: Baptist Student Union Director at Texas Wesleyan College 1985-87; BSU Director at San Jacinto College 1987-95, interim youth pastor at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, Texas, January-March 1996; First Baptist Abilene April 1, 1996, as the Minister of Young Adults and Outreach.  
Place of birth: Born in Snyder, Texas
Where you grew up: Grew up in Snyder and graduated from Snyder High in 1979
Family: Parents both deceased, Mom 2020, Dad 2021, one older brother in Monahans, one older sister in Snyder. Married Patti Michelle Williams on May 26, 1984
Daughter Katie, husband Luke, boys Liam  (10), Kohen (8), Jude and Jones(6) live in Abilene. Luke is the Director of Therapy for Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital, Katie has a graphics design company and is presently the director of First Friends Preschool here at the church.
Middle son Blake, wife Sarah, son Henry live in Virginia. Blake works for DePuy Synthes, a part of Johnson and Johnson MedTech working with hospitals on their orthopedic inventory for surgeries. Sarah is a Lt. Commander in the US Navy serving as a chaplain, currently stationed at the pentagon as the Flag Aid to the Chief of Chaplains of the US Navy.
Youngest son Brett lives in New York City and is the Regulatory Associate in the Regulatory Affairs Office at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Education: HS-Snyder ’79, Texas Tech University ’83 BBA Management, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ’87 Master of Divinity
Community involvement: Have served on the boards and chaired both the Abilene Swim Club and Serenity House. Adjunct Professor at HSU on various occasions. Coached for several years and am currently coaching Little League at Legacy Little League. 

Q You came to First Baptist Church on April 1, 1996. Has anyone on staff been there longer than you?
A. Currently, I hold the longest tenure of our current pastoral staff. Of course, back in the day, Dr. Jenkens was Pastor from 1915-1948. We recently had a custodian retire last year after working here for 45 years. Currently one of our custodians has been here 33 years, our church accountant 33 years, GLO office manager 33 years, and numerous folks in the 20-30 year range.

Q Over the years, did you request a different position or did someone recommend you?
A In 2004, I was asked to move into my current role as administrator, so in essence I changed careers without having to change churches, cities, or move. I simply moved offices. Since then, I have not really been seriously approached about making a change and that was fine with me.

Greenfield Family

Q At what age did you first feel the pull toward ordained ministry? Did you act on it immediately?
A. My family was always involved in the local church. Parents both taught Sunday school, dad was a deacon and on the television committee, so if the doors were open, we were there. As I graduated high school and contemplated what to do with my life, I planned to be a lawyer, but did have a trusted man in our church tell me that ministry would be a good fit. In college, I was extremely involved with the Baptist Student Union and did various ministry projects. Between my junior and senior years, I served as a summer missionary, preaching at youth revivals in Hawaii and came home from that experience knowing that ministry was where I was headed.

Q Did you ever pastor your own church or have the desire to?  
A. For 12 years, I served as a Baptist Student Union Director and though not a church, I was the head guy over the ministry. I led Bible studies, spoke at various meetings and did outreach events with the campuses. So, I had that experience but always said that I did not want to have to preach every week, and that is what senior pastors do! I love to preach, just not every week.

Mike Greenfield over a 30-year span at First Baptist Church

Q You have worked with many people at First Baptist over 30 years. Is there any one particular person who was especially influential on your life and career?
A 30 years have brought a multitude of folks into my life. I have benefited from too many to list.  Obviously working with Dr. Christopher for 26 years was a great experience. I have been in a guys Bible study for 30 years, and we have been able to share many highs and lows together and they are ones who I can truly count on. My fellow staff members, many of whom I have been with for 20+ years, are more than just colleagues, but true friends. I have the best ministry assistant in the world, and she continually makes me look good and keeps me on the straight and narrow.

Q You have been in your current role since 2004–that’s a long time! You seem to have found your true calling. Do you foresee moving into a different position in the future?
A At this point in my career, the only position I think I would move into would be retirement and that has not been set yet!

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene