Michael Guzman began serving as Youth Pastor of the Church of God of Exeter in August of 2005. Prior to that date, Michael was an elementary school teacher at Harvest Christian School in Riverside, California . Before becoming the youth pastor, Michael taught and nurtured each student in his classroom with a pastor’s heart.

Michael began his relationship with the Jesus Christ as a youth. He was not raised in a Christian home, but was deeply encouraged while growing up by his aunt, Tricia, his best friend, Travis and a family friend, Debbie. While a student in the Youth Ministry of Church of God of Exeter Michael was baptized, but still understood little what a relationship with God looked like. With little discipleship, Michael wandered from a life in-line with God’s will and spent his college years searching for the peace that the world could not offer only to find himself empty and unsatisfied at its apex. Finally, in May of 1998, after being roused by a Promise Keepers convention, Michael let Jesus Christ be not only his savior, but his Lord. From that time forward, the ‘new creation’ Michael was became evident to the rest of the world. (1 Cor. 5:17)

Michael and his wife, Kimberly, were married on February 17^th of 2001. They met as a result of Kimberly’s son, Zakary Aguirre, being a student in Michael’s first fourth grade class. Because of this they call themselves ‘childhood sweethearts’ and fondly recall the day when they met in fourth grade. Kimberly has had many jobs over the years and over the last two years has been privileged to be a stay at home mom.

Michael and Kimberly have three children. Zak is a student at Exeter Union High School . Emily is toddler and another baby is still in the oven—due to arrive on August 4^th.

Michael enjoys reading, learning, and talking. He loves to play airsoft when time allows and getting together with friends and family to play games. Every once in a while he methodically chooses to play a video game (his most recent choice was Age of Empires III), but “finds he likes it too much.” Michael, Kimberly and Emily love to take walks in the morning through the town when the weather permits. Eating is definitely a priority and a delight. The whole family enjoys watching movies and watching Zak play whatever sport he is involved in that season.

Michael explains his philosophy of leadership this way:

“I love to discover the way the body has been gifted and fitted together by the Lord. It amazes me that God uses each of us, imperfect humans, to carry out such a huge commission—that he actually capitalizes on each of our differences to enhance the greater whole of his body, the church. This process of discovery takes time and depth. I love getting to know people, encouraging them to see themselves through God’s eyes, seeing them grow closer to the Lord and ultimately offering their bodies as living sacrifices. I believe a team of people, committed to God, committed to one another and committed to God’s will is a beautiful, naturally attractive entity and that people want to be involved in something bigger than themselves. I see my job as encouraging and drawing out this possibility wherever God places me.”