Pastor Mike was welcomed to Princeton First UMC in July 2024. Mike has been a Pastor in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United  Methodist Church since 1992. He has served congregations in Schaumburg,  Naperville, Hinsdale, Joliet, Cary and Bolingbrook. Mike has led youth  mission trips to Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, Tennessee, Kentucky and  Indiana. He led adult mission teams to Russia on four occasions. 

Mike attempts to connect with communities where he serves. He volunteered  as a Police Chaplain in Schaumburg. He was a member of the Rotary Clubs in  Hinsdale and Joliet. He served on the Board of Directors of the Will-Grundy  Medical Clinic in Joliet. 

Mike has held leadership positions at the District and Conference levels. He  was Chairperson of the Aurora District Council on Ministries and a member  of the Conference Council on Ministries. He was active in the Joliet Cluster of  churches as it expanded the ministries of the Joliet Food Pantry. 

On two occasions, Mike has led capital campaigns and building programs.  While serving at Hinsdale UMC, the church built a new sanctuary and  renovated the rest of the building. At Grace UMC in Joliet, Mike led the  church in retiring the building debt, remodeling the Daycare kitchen,  upgrading the heating system, renovating the sanctuary, and replacing the  flooring on the first floor. 

Mike enjoys working out and spending time outdoors with his family. Mike is married to Linda Hill Hickok. They have a son, Joseph and his wife, Melissa, a daughter, Lisa, and a grandson,  Alexander. Linda is a licensed attorney in  Illinois. She is passionate about quilting  and developing an orchard at their home  in Michigan. Linda has been active in the church by singing solos and participating  in choirs and praise teams. Linda served  as Chairperson of the Northern Illinois  Conference Committee on Ecumenical  and Inter-religious Relationships. She leads women’s retreats and joined mission teams to Haiti on three occasions.