Michael was born on November 9, 1970, in South Bend, Indiania the son of Emmett Glenn and Penny (Freed) Shank, both from South Bend, Indiana. Mischelle (Stewart) Shank was born April 11, 1971, in McCook, Nebraska the daughter of Kim and Connie (Gibson) Stewart. 

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Michael and Mischelle were married on October 14, 1995, at the Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Missouri. They lived in central Missouri; first in Springfield then in Lexington. Michael worked in the trucking industry with his father and Mischelle was the business administrator. The Shanks welcomed their children, two daughters Kaylee, born March 7, 1996, and Laney born February 15, 2003, and son Mason, born January 5, 2006. 

 

The events of September 11, 2001, influenced Michael to rededicate his life to the Lord and in December of that year Michael and Mischelle were baptized at First Baptist Church of Lexington, Missouri. Michael and Mischelle were heavily involved in the youth group there being youth sponsors and High School Sunday School teachers.

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In 2010 Michael felt, "called" to the ministry and the family moved to Kansas City. Michael attended seminary at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduating with an Undergraduate Degree in Biblical Studies in 2015 and a master's degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling in 2018.

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After leaving seminary the Shank family served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Bucklin, Missouri from May 2018 - June 2023. The family enjoyed their time serving at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and made many lifelong relationships there.

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The Shanks were blessed when the Lord called them to Sturgeon Baptist Church in July of 2023. Michael and Mischelle became empty nesters when Mason graduated high school at Sturgeon in 2023. They enjoy the small-town life of Sturgeon, fishing in local lakes and ponds, helping with the local food pantry, attending community and sporting events, and spoiling their new granddaughter, Juliana, anytime they can. Mischelle was added to the staff at Sturgeon RV in 2023 and serves there as Junior High Special Education Teacher.

 

The Shanks look forward to serving the Lord in Sturgeon and being part of His plan for the future of this community.