Mike Strevel

FROM THE BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS BY DAVID MONTGOMERY AND MARK GREEN: Elder Mike Strevel He was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on January 27, 1952. He professed a hope in Jesus and was baptized by Elder Joe Hildreth at Utoy Church in October 1961. He received a call to the ministry in the summer of 1970, and was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry on July 23, 1976, by authority of the Paris Church in Paris, Arkansas, under the pastorate of Elder H. D. Fulmer. He was called to pastor that church in August of 1976, where he continued as pastor until March of 1979. During this time, he graduated from the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, where he received a BS in elementary education and taught in the public schools of that state. In May 1979, he moved to Ripley, Mississippi, to assist Elder Hassell Wallis in starting a church there, where he was called as associate pastor and has continued in the pastorate until this present writing (February 1999). After teaching in the public schools, he felt a burden to found Ripley Christian School, which is a college preparatory school for the families of the church, and has also ministered to many young people from the community. On July 3, 1971, he married Kathy Nutt of Falkner, Mississippi, who was a member of Pine Hill Primitive Baptist Church, pastored by Elder Hassell Wallis. To this union of now nearly 28 years have been born six children. Elder Strevel says, "God has been so very gracious to my family and me, and He has led me in a sweet way which I do not deserve. I hope to love, praise, and serve Him all the remaining days of my life." - Elder Mike Strevel departed this life on March 10, 2006, at the age of 54. He faithfully pastored and shepherded God's people for 29 years, serving as pastor of Ripley Primitive Baptist Church for 26 years. He was an extraordinary teacher and spent 25 years shaping the lives of young people at Ripley Christian School.