Michael W. Dawson, 42, of the Susquehanna Association comes to us from the First Baptist Church of Havre de Grace, Md. where he has served under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Ron Smith since 2003.

Testifying to his declaration of faith, Dawson shares that he was born into the inheritance of Christ by the shed blood of Jesus through the working of the Holy Spirit - having confessed his sins before our holy and righteous God and surrendering to the will of the lord.  Dawson recalls, "I was DEAD! One hundred and forty days into the new millennium I was confronted with the actuality of my spiritual condition," adding, "I had lived this way all along those 32 years, but had finally become aware of it."

Michael was baptized into the faith and became active within the body of believers in Havre de Grace.  He served three years with the Mexico Mission Team for the Susquehanna Baptist Association (a short-term teaching missionary journey initially encompassing two villages in Tepeaca, Puebla, eventually adding a few home churches and a week long regional youth camp).  Five years later, the Spirit of the Lord spoke mightily into Dawson's life, calling on him to enter more deeply into His ministry.  Dawson is currently enrolled as a pastime theology graduate student at Southern Seminary, concentrating in worldview and apologetic.

With an education background, personal interest in civil government and public affairs, and experience in journalism (metaphorically regarded as the fourth branch of the American government) Dawson believes the Lord has directed the fulfillment of His ministry calling in the public arena, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:17 (NIV) "...each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him."

Most recently Dawson has served a two-year term as chair of the Maryland Central Committee for one of the state's recognized political parties, and was a 2010 general election candidate for Maryland's lower house in the General Assembly.  Michael currently serves as an officer of his local government's ethics commission and is seated as a director within his homeowners association.  He also serves as a Maryland legislative correspondent for two political organizations within Cecil County. 

Dawson holds strongly to a traditional view of American law and government, and sees God's hand at work across the spectrum of influence, even in the public square, that all may see and glorify the Father.

Married for 19 years and raising three children with his beloved wife, Carolyn.  Dawson is a lifelong resident of Maryland and a native of Perryville in Cecil County where he has resided nearly all his life.  He graduated from the John Carroll School in Bel Air and went on to earn a B.A. in Political Science from Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Md.  Occupationally, he has been employed with Verizon Communications for more than 16 years as an outside facilities repair technician.