Our Pastor
Dr. Michael B. Wheeler

                   Dr. Michael Wheeler, a native of Canton, North Carolina, spent many years away from his hometown. He grew up in Haywood County, where he was regularly exposed to preaching about eternity. At around fifteen years old, during a family gathering where his grandfather was preaching, he felt a strong conviction about where he would spend eternity. After the message, he prayed and trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

In 1984, he married Karen Allen, who had been saved at eight years of age. The couple moved to Fort Payne, Alabama, for work and were not actively following the Lord. However, they were invited to a church pastored by Bro. Dennis Phillips. There, they began learning the Bible. Dr. Wheeler was also ordained as a deacon at that church and later called to preach.

They then moved to Pensacola, Florida, to attend the Pensacola Bible Institute, graduating in 1993 after earning a bachelor's degree in divinity. In 1998, they returned to North Carolina to assist Dr. James A. Lince at Bridgeport Baptist Church and the Blue Ridge Bible Institute. There, he earned his Master of Theology in 1999. After Dr. Lince's passing in 2005, Dr. Wheeler became pastor of Bridgeport Baptist Church. He pastored 11 years with a total of 18 years there.

In 2014, their daughter Jordan passed away following the birth of her son, this proved to be a very trying time for the whole family. After much prayer and counsel, Dr. Wheeler stepped down from pastoring in 2016. He and his family began attending Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church in Lawndale, NC, pastored by Bro. Billy Bonne. Where they all found much help and rest. 

By 2018, Dr. Wheeler felt the Lord leading him to start a church in Haywood County. Our first service was held in March 2019. Along with pastoring, he serves as Vice President of The Bible Doctrine Institute (formerly the Blue Ridge Bible Institute), where he earned his Doctor of Theology in 2020.

Dr. Wheeler is a devoted pastor who deeply loves the Lord Jesus Christ and cares greatly for his church family. He spends many hours in prayer, study, and preparation to make sure each service is centered around Jesus and His word. Each week, sitting in the congregation, you will find encouragement and steps to live a life closer to Christ not just on Sundays, but every day of the week.