Michael was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1974, the youngest of three sons. His parents, who had originally been Baptist and Methodist, joined Peachtree Presbyterian Church after their marriage. Peachtree is one of the largest Presbyterian churches in the United States. Its minister during Michael’s formative years, the late Dr. W. Frank Harrington, had a profound influence on all the Baileys, particularly Michael. He began to sense a call to the ministry while in an undergraduate program in History at Furman University, in Greenville, South Carolina. This call was confirmed to him during a church ministry internship at the First Presbyterian Church (4,300 members) in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1994. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman in 1996, he went directly to Columbia Theological Seminary, in Decatur, Georgia. In 1997, Michael served for several months as chaplain at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of his clinical pastoral work during seminary. It was also during his seminary education that he served a year—long internship as a seminary intern at Eastminster Presbyterian Church (2,000 members) in Columbia, South Carolina. This internship, which provided extensive experience in a wide range of aspects of ministry, concluded in 1999. At that time, Dr. Joe Donaho, Senior Pastor of Eastminster, commented that Michael was universally loved and respected by church members of all ages, and that his vibrant faith, his wonderful sense of humor, his passion for ministry, his intelligence, and his energy all served to enhance his ministry. Michael completed his Master of Divinity at Columbia Theological Seminary in May of 2000.

Upon graduation from Columbia, he was called to First (Scots) Presbyterian Church (1,500 members) in Charleston, South Carolina, to serve as Associate Pastor. Although the position was originally designed to focus solely on Youth and Young Adults Ministry, his skills and abilities became more apparent, and he demonstrated he was capable to undertake additional responsibilities. His position as Associate Pastor at First (Scots) grew to become a generalist position with varying degrees of obligations in all areas of parish ministry, yet with special responsibility for Youth and Young Adult Ministries and as the staff liaison to the Personnel, Fellowship, Christian Education, and Evangelism Committees. He has planned and implemented projects in all areas, in addition to the area of Stewardship. Michael believes he has brought to the community of faith of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church a greater sense of joy in being a disciple of Jesus Christ and in being a member of His body. He consistently challenged the members of the body of Christ to let their faith more and more inform and determine their daily decisions, actions, and lifestyle. In describing any of his accomplishments during his service to First (Scots), he gives credit to Jesus Christ, remembering that he is “nothing but His vessel.”

In 2005, Michael was nominated to receive the Harrington Prize. The Harrington Prize was established by Columbia Theological Seminary, Peachtree Presbyterian Church, and Presbyterian College to recognize outstanding service in the area of Christian ministry. The Harrington Prize honors the contributions of Dr. W. Frank Harrington, former Senior Pastor of Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Nominees were sought on a national basis, looking for individuals who, early in the service of ministry, have demonstrated outstanding preaching, effective evangelism, and dedicated service to the community at large. Although he did not actually win the award, the nomination itself carries a special distinction. It was meaningful to Michael because Dr. Harrington had played such an important role in his life, including being the pastor who actually baptized him as a an infant, at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia.

During the five years he has served at First (Scots) Presbyterian, Michael has also served as a pulpit supply pastor to other churches. From the fall of 2003 through February of 2004, the Session of First (Scots) Presbyterian agreed for Michael to serve as Interim Pastor and Moderator of the Session for the Second Presbyterian Church (400 members) in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. This was a rewarding and affirming experience for him, and his leadership was very well received by that church. With many enriching, nurturing and rewarding experiences already attained, and with the promise of many more to come, Michael feels ready to take this next step in his service to Jesus Christ. To Him be all the glory!

Meet the Bailey Family

Michael and Laura Bailey met when they both attended Furman University during the early 1990s in Greenville, South Carolina. She is the former Laura Batchelor, who grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, in the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Laura was a year behind Michael at Furman, yet they got to know each other as they served together as youth advisors and bible study leaders at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, South Carolina. While at Furman, Laura sang with the Furman Singers, a performing university choir. Michael completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1996, and Laura completed hers in Special Education in 1997. By the time they were married on June 6, 1998, Michael was in seminary at Columbia Theological Seminary, in Decatur, Georgia, and states that the highlight of his seminary years was getting married to Laura. In her, he says he has found a true friend, encourager, and partner in faith.

They were called to serve at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina, upon his graduation from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2000. In the years they have lived in Charleston, Michael believes he has been challenged and affirmed in his ministry, and further equipped for ministry in the church of Jesus Christ. Laura also made considerable contributions to the life of First (Scots) by always staying involved in many areas of the church’s ministry, particularly in the areas of children and youth. She received her Masters degree in Special Education from the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, and has worked out of their home as a private tutor for children. In addition, while in Charleston, they had a son, named Hudson, who is now two years old, and they are expecting another child in December. Fatherhood has greatly affected Michael’s perspective on life, faith, and ministry. He hopes to always be able to keep a healthy balance juggling his roles as husband, father, pastor, and most importantly, disciple. Both Michael and Laura have a faith that is firmly grounded in Jesus Christ.

In their leisure time, they love to be outdoors, either camping, hiking or strolling in the mountains. Michael loves football and participating in sports of all kinds. However, in the last two years, their leisure time has been spent more as a family in activities in which Hudson can actively participate.

The Baileys are eager and excited about the possibility of coming to Morganton and joining First Presbyterian Church. They plan to move in the latter part of August, and Michael’s first day at work is tentatively scheduled for Monday, September 19, 2005. His first Sunday preaching in the pulpit of our church would be Sunday, September 25, 2005. The Installation Service for Michael would be celebrated during worship on Sunday, October 23, 2005.