Michael A. Peterson, 60, of Morrill, went to be with the Lord July 19. He was born Nov. 20, 1949 in Monmouth, Ill., the son of Beauford and Nancy (Carlson) Peterson.
Michael attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. He majored in political science and received his teaching degree there. He married Debbie Phelps Nov. 21, 1970.
After filling in for the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Monmouth, Ill., he heard the Lord call him to ministry which led him to seminary. Michael then attended the Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary in Denver, Col. and received a Masters of Divinity. Michael, Debbie and their two sons then moved to Chicago, Ill. where he served as youth pastor for five years. They then moved on to Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Bethel Baptist where he served as senior pastor of an integrated church for 11 years. He and his family then moved back to Joliet, Ill. as senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Church for three and a half years before retiring with his wife for five years. They took this time to travel all over the United States antiquing. They enjoyed finding the perfect pieces to buy and sell.
After their five-year retirement, he got the call from First Baptist Church of Waldoboro. While pasturing they built a new church in Waldoboro and the church continued to grow. Michael resigned after seven and a half years and filled in at various churches as an interim pastor. He was asked to speak at Damariscotta Baptist Church and was invited to be their interim pastor. While serving he was asked to be the interim minister at Morrill Baptist Church in Morrill, which he accepted and he and Debbie split their time between the two churches. Once Damariscotta Baptist Church found their full-time minister, he became full-time interim minister until one year ago when he was hired as their full-time minister.
In addition to serving in various pastoral positions in his life, his passion was working with the missions group, Philipean Fellowship, which was a mission to help Eastern European ministers build churches and become full-time ministers. They traveled to the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and all across Eastern Europe. While serving with this ministry, he became pastor of Outreach. He was a student and collector of history.
Michael is predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Debbie Peterson of Morrill; sons, Michael Shane Peterson of Cleveland, Ohio and Chad Andrew Peterson of Albuquerque, N.M.; aunt, Gracie LeFevre and husband Ron of Simsbury, Conn.; five cousins; many other brothers and sisters in Christ across the world; also his dogs who he referred to as “the boys,” Chance and Jake.
Celebration of life 11 a.m., Sat., July 24 at Morrill Baptist Church, South Main St., Morrill, with a reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations in his memory to Philipean Fellowship c/o Jeff Norton, 99 Storer Rd., Bremen, ME 04551.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast.
