Micah Spicer firmly believes that the most important way to become a better preacher is through experience. “Reading books about preaching, while they offer helpful insights, is not going to transform someone into a proficient preacher,” Spicer stated. “Instead, like many crafts, one has to practice.” The Academy of Preachers provided an avenue for him to do just that with opportunities to develop his skills in an encouraging and constructive environment. Spicer preached at the inaugural National Festival of Young Preachers in January 2010. Since that time, he earned a degree from Campbellsville University and M.Div. from Baptist Seminary of Kentucky (BSK), both founding partners of the AoP. He currently serves as pastor of Third Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky where he resides with his wife, Sarah and their beagle, Gus.
Through his participation in AoP Festivals, Spicer developed a great appreciation for the ministry of Gospel preaching. “Preaching may well be the most important ministry task for me at Third Baptist Church,” he remarked. “Not to diminish any of my other pastoral responsibilities, but preaching gives me the opportunity to stand at the intersection of God’s love and human need. It is in that holy space that I am able to offer a word of hope to hurting individuals.”
His advice to Young Preachers: “Don’t be too critical of your own preaching. Not every sermon is a homerun. That is okay.” Spicer admitted, ironically, that the sermons he was been most excited about or proud of were the ones that are actually least inspirational to his parishioners. “Sermons that I don’t feel as confident about are often the ones that are most transformational for people. That must be one of God’s ways of keeping me humble.”