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PORTLAND WEATHER

Callis steps down as pastor of Liberty Church




Mike CallisPicasa

Mike CallisPicasa

Portland Mayor Mike Callis is a man of faith, who relies on God’s direction in his life. 

 

When he decided to run for alderman in 2005, he believed that was the direction God wanted him to take to become more involved in his community. He stepped back after that term because he did not feel God’s direction to continue. 

 

However, after sitting out one term he ran again, and when he left the council to become mayor, he had served eleven- and one-half years as alderman. He felt God was leading him to be mayor at some point. 

 

While serving on the council, he continued to pastor Liberty Church in Portland. He recently stepped down from serving as pastor. He knew the day would come when he would step aside and let others lead the church. He began preparing for that three years ago when he encouraged Joe Osborne, one of the founders of the church, to study to become ordained. That ordination took place on August 11, 2019. Since then Osborne has been named pastor of Liberty Church.

 

Callis said, “I’m trying to do what the Lord tells me to do. I trust him. I didn’t understand that until I was a Christian.”

 

He had never been to church or read the Bible until he was over 30. It took a program on the Discovery Channel about Noah’s Ark to help change his life. That program led him and a fellow worker to read the story from the Bible. His job involved keeping CNC equipment running; and If things were going well, he was allowed to read on the job. 

 

One day he picked up the Bible he had tossed on his tool box and began reading it. Within a year he had read the entire Bible. He and his wife Diane began to go to church. 

 

Callis said, “I was so nervous the first Sunday. I couldn’t wait for it to be over; but by the third Sunday, I was saved along with my wife. In a few months, I felt the Lord was calling me to preach and was leading me to jail ministry.”

 

He had a successful ministry at the Sumner County Jail where he influenced many lives. Often those he would be ministering to would be transferred to other facilities. He and his wife got approval to visit these facilities where they continued to support those incarcerated.

 

He mentioned several people who had been very influential in his life. He recognized Pastor Bob Shockey as one of those people. Pastor Ken Stephens and his wife Oweetah, who moved here to be near their children, became mentors and great friends. John Lindsey, who ministered locally for many years, baptized him and his wife.

 

In 2004, Callis, Joe Osborne, and Ken Stephens started the Liberty Free Will Baptist Church at Strawberry Station, which was then owned by the city. They rented it two days a week for $50 a day. The church had no hymnals or instruments, and sang a cappella from sheet music when they began. The church met there for four years until they purchased a building at 891 College Street.

 

A life-threatening illness, which prevented him from going on a mission trip to Haiti, was a life changing event. Being close to death has made him appreciate things more. He said that one of his favorite things to do is to sit in his back yard watching the birds and squirrels, as he and his wife drink a cup of coffee together; he also keeps a bird feeder outside his office window at city hall.

 

Callis said, “It was hard to step down. My own mother goes there along with other members of our family. It’s all good though. It’s not about what I want. I felt like it was what God wanted me to do.”

 

He added that things are very different now, because his and Diane’s lives were wrapped up in Liberty. Many of the things in their home are connected to the church. His wife had served as treasurer.

 

He believes that a Christian doesn’t have to pastor a church to minister, and that every Christian has the responsibility to share Christ with others. He emphasized that every believer has at least one God given gift to benefit the Kingdom, and while some may have more than one, each are to use their gifts to minister to others.

 

Callis is not completely giving up preaching. Different churches have asked him to come and speak. He has recently preached at Hollis Chapel, Byram’s Chapel, and Living Free Fellowship; and he said he hopes to continue sharing Jesus Christ at every opportunity the Lord allows.

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