After a 15 month search West Side Baptist Church of Topeka welcomes new pastor, Rev. Kip Mickelson. He comes from Omaha First Baptist Church where he was serving as senior pastor since 2005.
Mickelson was asked by his friends “Why Topeka?” He answered, “After praying about several offers I received, God simply gave me the strong feeling that this is where He wanted me to be. I was drawn to West Side Baptist because even though they didn’t have a full time pastor they didn’t just sit around waiting but they continued to be active in reaching out to Topeka, and accomplished many things by pulling together and working together. It was a sign of a healthy church with vision and a strong sense of mission.”
Mickelson received his undergraduate degree in music and religion from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He taught music as a vocation and worked as Minister of Music in various churches since 1980. In 1978-1980 he was a short term missionary to the Third World Nations of the South Pacific.
He graduated from Eastern Seminary in Philadelphia in 2000 with a Master of Divinity. In 2007 he was announced as Clergy Person of the year in Nebraska. He was awarded this honor for his strong leadership with American Baptist Men of Nebraska and for his genuine compassion for the homeless and less fortunate people of our world. He is an accomplished musician, both as a performer and a composer.
Mickelson has been involved with American Baptist Churches/USA for many years as a workshop leader, and worship leader for many of their national events. He represented the ABC/USA at the Baptist World Alliance first conference on worship in Berlin, Germany where he also led an international worship team and provided music for several general sessions.
Mickelson has served churches in North Dakota, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Maryland and Nebraska.
Mickelson has two grown children; Kate lives and teaches in Mexico and Luke lives and works in Rapid City, South Dakota.
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