A family feeling

The Rev. Michael Morris, also known as Brother Mike, is the pastor of River City Baptist Church. Morris is 31 years old and has been a senior pastor for almost a year. He was also a youth pastor at a church in Monroe, La., for two years. Morris has believed in the Baptist faith since he was 5 years old. He said he was drawn into church because he believed that's what God wanted him to do. He completed a four-year degree in pastoral theology at Champion Baptist College in Hot Springs, Ark.

Question: When did you become the pastor at River City Baptist?

Answer: We started the church from scratch on Oct. 5, 2008.

Q: Where are you from and when and why did you move to Cape Girardeau?

A: I am from Monroe, La. I graduated from Bible College on May 10 and moved to Cape Girardeau on May 11 to start the River City Baptist Church.

Q: Were you involved with River City Baptist before becoming the pastor?

A: Me and one other family started the church.

Q: What do you think makes this church special?

A: I believe our church is a very special place to be because the people, all of them, really do care about each other and for each and every visitor that comes through the doors. No visitor will ever feel like a visitor at River City. It's as if they have been attending for years. That is what makes River City a special place.

Q: What's your favorite verse and why?

A: Isaiah 26:3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

This is my favorite verse because in a world where chaos and confusion abounds on every hand, we have the promise from God that if we stay focused on him, he will keep us in perfect peace amidst all the confusion.

Q: What program have you done with River City Baptist that you are proud of and why?

A: Our biggest day at River City was what we called "Friend Day." It was a service where everyone invited their friends to attend, and after the service, we had a potluck dinner and got acquainted with all of our guests. This was an event we were definitely proud of because that is why we are here, to let the community know we are their friends, and they are ours. And we are here to be a friend to Cape Girardeau in every way we can.

Q: What events or occasions does your church have coming up?

A: Oct. 11 is our one-year anniversary at River City. We will have special singers in, we will have food for everyone in attendance, we will have a special event after the service where a special guest will put on a knife-throwing show, which is going to be awesome, and there will be games and prizes following the service that day.

Q: What's your favorite day of the week and why?

A: My favorite day of the week is Friday because I get to spend the entire day and night with my wife, who means more to me than anyone.

Q: What's your favorite part of being a pastor?

A: I love helping people, and being a pastor gives plenty of opportunity to do just that.

Q: What hobbies do you have?

A: I enjoy doing web design, computer tech work, graphic designing, cooking, sports and music.

Q: What else do you do besides serve as pastor?

A: When I'm not serving as pastor, you will find me serving in some other capacity. But whatever I'm doing, I enjoy serving others. So, when I'm not serving as pastor, I'm just plain serving.

Q: Do you have a prayer, psalm or verse you would like to give our readers for the day?

A: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." Matthew 6:33