About Mike Manna
Grew Up in Los Angeles
Mike was born into a first-generation Christian home. He was raised in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. His father and mother, Gary & Linda Manna, were the greatest influence in his life. Mike's mother was committed to sharing Christ with children - often through Child Evangelism Fellowship Good News Clubs in their home. He grew up hearing of Jesus' death, his personal need for forgiveness, and the reality of sin in his own life. At an early age, he gave his heart to the Lord, praying with his mother, and committing his life to Christ.
Mike's spiritual upbringing took root as he attended the youth groups at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA and listened to their pastor's teaching each Sunday (John MacArthur). It was during a church retreat under the direction of Youth Pastor Chris Mueller that he knew that God was calling him into full-time ministry. Mike knew this was not for everyone, but God was leading him in this direction. He spent time in God's word during his middle school years to get to know God better - often an hour a day. He sat under the teaching of godly men, and eventually chose to go to Bible College.
Bible College on the Plains
Mike's Dad took a job promotion and decided to move their family to Texas when he was 16. He moved with his family at the beginning of his junior year to Longview, two hours east of Dallas. After high school graduation, Mike went to Grace University in Omaha, NE to get his Bachelors of Science Degree in Bible & Christian Camping. Part of his college program included spending a year at Camp Forest Springs in Northern Wisconsin for practical leadership training. This is where he asked a South Dakota sheep rancher’s daughter, Judy Weiss, to be my wife.
Mike & Judy's Ministry Start in New Jersey
Judy and Mike were married on June 28, 1986 in Sturgis, South Dakota. Mike finished his senior year at Grace University in Omaha, and then took a job as the Camp Director at Liebenzell Camp & Retreat Center in New Jersey. The German mission's purpose was to reach out to the New York City international community through camping. Mandie was born in 1988 in Bethlehem, PA. While they ministered at the camp, they began a bi-monthly youth outreach called Youth Encounter that grew from 20 to 200 students in one year. After 2 ½ years ministering with international students and their families at Liebenzell Camp, the Manna family moved to Sunshine Bible Academy in Miller, SD.
Resident Youth Pastor in South Dakota
In 1989, Mike started his role as the Chaplain and Development Coordinator at Sunshine Bible Academy, a Christian boarding high school near Miller, South Dakoa, for 6 years. He functioned as the school's youth pastor. Luke was born in 1991, and Samantha in 1994. Judy continued as a homemaker and guitar instructor for as many as 9 students. Mike began speaking & leading worship at camps and retreats across the region, speaking in as many as 6 week-long camps a summer. He also began a teen retreat at the school, which drew 300 teens annually. During his final two years at the school, Mike filled different church pulpits every Sunday.
Student Ministries Pastor in the Black Hills
In 1995, their family made their move to Belle Fourche, SD where Mike became the Student Ministries Pastor at Christian Life Center, an interdenominational church. During their 7 years of ministry at the church, the Lord blessed their student ministry. They saw growth spiritually and numerically with 80 teenagers attending weekly during the school year in a community of 5,000 people.
Spiritual & Numerical Growth with Youth
Mike implemented many principles that he had learned through Sonlife Ministries and Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry goals. He was able to train high school students to lead the ministry, especially in their weekly coffeehouse outreach. The annual New Year's Eve Teen Blast, an outreach ministry of their youth group, drew over 600 teens a year from a 200 mile radius. Mike started a Bible Institute for teenagers using Moody Bible Institute's adult correspondence courses. The weekly Bible school grew from 5 to 40 students in just three years.
Our Family Activities in the U.S.
Judy's life was extremely busy assisting the youth ministry as the main Jr. High leader, taking care of the home, home schooling the Manna children, spending time with friends, and enjoying her Mustang horse, Chiz. Mandie became involved in music, dance, guitar, sports and friends. Luke enjoyed computers, science, and sports; while Samantha grew in her imagination through reading and taking care of animals. The Manna's favorite hobby in the U.S. was camping in their pop-up camper.
The Manna Family Moves to Ukraine
In the summer of 2000, Mike led his student youth ministry team on a trip to Ukraine with Youth Ministry International (YMI). He brought over their coffeehouse band and teamed with youth from Kiev to do ministry in Sumy, Ukraine. God began tugging at Mike's heart to train youth pastors in Ukraine. Mike and Judy approached Youth Ministry International about becoming missionaries with their organization. YMI approved Mike as their Eurasia Director to be based in Kiev. After a year of gathering support from individuals and churches, the Manna family moved to Kiev in the summer of 2002. The Mannas spent two years in Russian language study as they developed relationships in Kiev.
National Center for Youth Ministry in Ukraine Founded
In 2003, Mike founded the National Center of Youth Ministry at Kiev Theological Seminary with educational support from the International Center for Youth Ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY). The focus of the National Center is a four-year Bachelors of Theology Degree in Youth Ministry. Mike has supervised the translation of twelve different 3-credit youth ministry courses which are taught at the seminary. Mike continues to direct, teach, and administrate this program. He also teaches youth ministry conferences and seminars around Ukraine as much as time allows. Mike meets with each of his students on a regular basis to encourage them in the their ministries.
Orphanage Ministry
In 2004, the Mannas began to help a poor orphanage in the Chernigiv region of Ukraine. Judy was instrumental in this visitation ministry. Mike and Judy asked two other missionaries to help, and in 2006, these families took over this ministry and took it to a much higher level. During this time, God lead the Mannas to become guardians for an 8-year old girl, Katya, who was living at the orphanage. They were able to complete Katya's adoption in June of 2010 after a very difficult process which lasted 5 years.
Ukrainian Leadership Development
The Center started their first satellite school in 2007 at Rivne Bible College with graduate Vasya Ostriy as the director. In the fall of 2011, the National Center has 50 youth ministry students in Kiev with 30 graduates, and the Rivne Center has 15 youth ministry students. An American missionary with ABWE, Mike Gustafson, joined as an adjunct faculty member in 2007, and assists Mike with his teaching and mentoring. During the 2008-2009 school year, three of the National Center's graduates began to team teach with Mike and Mike Gustafson. Another Center for Youth Ministry, began by graduate Radik Tsurkan, was started in Poltava in 2009 with 15 students. Vasya became the first Ukrainian with a Youth Ministry Bachelors Degree and a Masters degree in Religious Studies. He now teaches at the seminary with Mike. Another YMI missionary, Sam Hughes, moved with his family to Ukraine to join the team. Mike's eventual goal is to have a Ukrainian replace him and become the National Director - possibly Vasya. 2 Timothy 2:2.
Following in Dad's Footsteps
Mandie moved back to the states to attend Moody Bible Institute in the fall of 2007. She later transferred to Grace University in Omaha where she plans to graduate in the May of 2012. Every summer, Mandie spends time counseling teen girls at Trails End Ranch in Ekalaka, Montana. Luke, currently a sophomore at Grace University, is majoring in Intercultural Studies. Samantha is in High School and Katya is in 8th grade.
Mike's Favorite Bible Verse
Mike's life verse is Jeremiah 9:23-24, "This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
Mike was born into a first-generation Christian home. He was raised in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. His father and mother, Gary & Linda Manna, were the greatest influence in his life. Mike's mother was committed to sharing Christ with children - often through Child Evangelism Fellowship Good News Clubs in their home. He grew up hearing of Jesus' death, his personal need for forgiveness, and the reality of sin in his own life. At an early age, he gave his heart to the Lord, praying with his mother, and committing his life to Christ.
Mike's spiritual upbringing took root as he attended the youth groups at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA and listened to their pastor's teaching each Sunday (John MacArthur). It was during a church retreat under the direction of Youth Pastor Chris Mueller that he knew that God was calling him into full-time ministry. Mike knew this was not for everyone, but God was leading him in this direction. He spent time in God's word during his middle school years to get to know God better - often an hour a day. He sat under the teaching of godly men, and eventually chose to go to Bible College.
Bible College on the Plains
Mike's Dad took a job promotion and decided to move their family to Texas when he was 16. He moved with his family at the beginning of his junior year to Longview, two hours east of Dallas. After high school graduation, Mike went to Grace University in Omaha, NE to get his Bachelors of Science Degree in Bible & Christian Camping. Part of his college program included spending a year at Camp Forest Springs in Northern Wisconsin for practical leadership training. This is where he asked a South Dakota sheep rancher’s daughter, Judy Weiss, to be my wife.
Mike & Judy's Ministry Start in New Jersey
Judy and Mike were married on June 28, 1986 in Sturgis, South Dakota. Mike finished his senior year at Grace University in Omaha, and then took a job as the Camp Director at Liebenzell Camp & Retreat Center in New Jersey. The German mission's purpose was to reach out to the New York City international community through camping. Mandie was born in 1988 in Bethlehem, PA. While they ministered at the camp, they began a bi-monthly youth outreach called Youth Encounter that grew from 20 to 200 students in one year. After 2 ½ years ministering with international students and their families at Liebenzell Camp, the Manna family moved to Sunshine Bible Academy in Miller, SD.
Resident Youth Pastor in South Dakota
In 1989, Mike started his role as the Chaplain and Development Coordinator at Sunshine Bible Academy, a Christian boarding high school near Miller, South Dakoa, for 6 years. He functioned as the school's youth pastor. Luke was born in 1991, and Samantha in 1994. Judy continued as a homemaker and guitar instructor for as many as 9 students. Mike began speaking & leading worship at camps and retreats across the region, speaking in as many as 6 week-long camps a summer. He also began a teen retreat at the school, which drew 300 teens annually. During his final two years at the school, Mike filled different church pulpits every Sunday.
Student Ministries Pastor in the Black Hills
In 1995, their family made their move to Belle Fourche, SD where Mike became the Student Ministries Pastor at Christian Life Center, an interdenominational church. During their 7 years of ministry at the church, the Lord blessed their student ministry. They saw growth spiritually and numerically with 80 teenagers attending weekly during the school year in a community of 5,000 people.
Spiritual & Numerical Growth with Youth
Mike implemented many principles that he had learned through Sonlife Ministries and Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry goals. He was able to train high school students to lead the ministry, especially in their weekly coffeehouse outreach. The annual New Year's Eve Teen Blast, an outreach ministry of their youth group, drew over 600 teens a year from a 200 mile radius. Mike started a Bible Institute for teenagers using Moody Bible Institute's adult correspondence courses. The weekly Bible school grew from 5 to 40 students in just three years.
Our Family Activities in the U.S.
Judy's life was extremely busy assisting the youth ministry as the main Jr. High leader, taking care of the home, home schooling the Manna children, spending time with friends, and enjoying her Mustang horse, Chiz. Mandie became involved in music, dance, guitar, sports and friends. Luke enjoyed computers, science, and sports; while Samantha grew in her imagination through reading and taking care of animals. The Manna's favorite hobby in the U.S. was camping in their pop-up camper.
The Manna Family Moves to Ukraine
In the summer of 2000, Mike led his student youth ministry team on a trip to Ukraine with Youth Ministry International (YMI). He brought over their coffeehouse band and teamed with youth from Kiev to do ministry in Sumy, Ukraine. God began tugging at Mike's heart to train youth pastors in Ukraine. Mike and Judy approached Youth Ministry International about becoming missionaries with their organization. YMI approved Mike as their Eurasia Director to be based in Kiev. After a year of gathering support from individuals and churches, the Manna family moved to Kiev in the summer of 2002. The Mannas spent two years in Russian language study as they developed relationships in Kiev.
National Center for Youth Ministry in Ukraine Founded
In 2003, Mike founded the National Center of Youth Ministry at Kiev Theological Seminary with educational support from the International Center for Youth Ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY). The focus of the National Center is a four-year Bachelors of Theology Degree in Youth Ministry. Mike has supervised the translation of twelve different 3-credit youth ministry courses which are taught at the seminary. Mike continues to direct, teach, and administrate this program. He also teaches youth ministry conferences and seminars around Ukraine as much as time allows. Mike meets with each of his students on a regular basis to encourage them in the their ministries.
Orphanage Ministry
In 2004, the Mannas began to help a poor orphanage in the Chernigiv region of Ukraine. Judy was instrumental in this visitation ministry. Mike and Judy asked two other missionaries to help, and in 2006, these families took over this ministry and took it to a much higher level. During this time, God lead the Mannas to become guardians for an 8-year old girl, Katya, who was living at the orphanage. They were able to complete Katya's adoption in June of 2010 after a very difficult process which lasted 5 years.
Ukrainian Leadership Development
The Center started their first satellite school in 2007 at Rivne Bible College with graduate Vasya Ostriy as the director. In the fall of 2011, the National Center has 50 youth ministry students in Kiev with 30 graduates, and the Rivne Center has 15 youth ministry students. An American missionary with ABWE, Mike Gustafson, joined as an adjunct faculty member in 2007, and assists Mike with his teaching and mentoring. During the 2008-2009 school year, three of the National Center's graduates began to team teach with Mike and Mike Gustafson. Another Center for Youth Ministry, began by graduate Radik Tsurkan, was started in Poltava in 2009 with 15 students. Vasya became the first Ukrainian with a Youth Ministry Bachelors Degree and a Masters degree in Religious Studies. He now teaches at the seminary with Mike. Another YMI missionary, Sam Hughes, moved with his family to Ukraine to join the team. Mike's eventual goal is to have a Ukrainian replace him and become the National Director - possibly Vasya. 2 Timothy 2:2.
Following in Dad's Footsteps
Mandie moved back to the states to attend Moody Bible Institute in the fall of 2007. She later transferred to Grace University in Omaha where she plans to graduate in the May of 2012. Every summer, Mandie spends time counseling teen girls at Trails End Ranch in Ekalaka, Montana. Luke, currently a sophomore at Grace University, is majoring in Intercultural Studies. Samantha is in High School and Katya is in 8th grade.
Mike's Favorite Bible Verse
Mike's life verse is Jeremiah 9:23-24, "This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
