Kirk Proctor – Ministry & Mission – Pastor of the Week


This week’s Pastor of the Week goes to Kirk Proctor. Kirk is the Lead Pastor at Faith Wesleyan Church in Lansing, Michigan. He has been the Lead Pastor at Faith Church for 3-years. His ministry includes churches in Wisconsin for 2-years, on staff at a church in Sturgis, Michigan for 2-years, and at a church in Illinois, Heritage Wesleyan Church for 6-years.

When I asked him about how Indiana Wesleyan has influenced him, he and Emily both said with smiles, “IWU introduced us to each other!” Kirk met his wife, Emily while attending Indiana Wesleyan University. They shared that they often talk about the influence of faculty who helped them to look at church ministry in a whole new way. They were encouraged to get outside of the “IWU bubble” and be part of the surrounding community which has helped them to learn how to have effective outreach which is evident by their ministry today. “IWU pushed us out of our comfort zones to be involved with people in the surrounding community,” said Kirk. During his senior year he served along with a fellow classmate, IWU alum, Matt Carder in a small church north of Marion, Indiana. “This gave me an opportunity to learn and develop as well as understand the intergenerational needs of the church,” said Kirk. The church group under their ministry grew as they invited the community and fellow students to attend.

IWU played a vital role in his personal and vocational role in the church. In his current ministry at Faith, Kirk often brings an Indiana Wesleyan mug on the platform when he preaches!  As part of the recognition we give Pastors a Pastor of the Week mug which may even be displayed during upcoming Sundays at the church.


Upon their graduation in 2002, they entered full-time ministry. Their ministry is a shared responsibility since Emily is heavily involved in church as well. Emily’s ministry consist of women’s ministry. They have three elementary age children. Emily also serves as a substitute teacher in the local school that her children are part of. “This gives me an opportunity to reach people outside of the church & many become friends giving me the opportunity of ministry,” says Emily.


Kirk shared that a couple of verses that have been favorites of his and have helped shape his ministry are:
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” – Psalm‬ ‭119:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” – Acts‬ ‭20:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

One of their personal and ministry passions include missions work. Check out this story from just a few weeks ago: View story here! This coming year Emily will be leading a team to Sierra Leone and Kirk will be leading a team to Mexico.

Help me in congratulating Rev. Kirk Proctor as this week’s Pastor of the Week.

Written by Rev. Rick Carder, Director of Alumni & Church Engagement at Indiana Wesleyan University.

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