Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Owens
Hi Michael , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Cincinnati Ohio eventually moving to Columbia Missouri around 12 years old, I come from a single parent home and I’m the oldest of 3 children. When I was younger there were a lot of things I had to figure out on my own through life experiences due to the nature of my up bringing. My mom was a single parent and worked hard all the time to provide for me and my sisters. I started working at a young age to try and assist my mom, it was tough. In the midst of this I would often pray to God as a kid for direction for my life. I’ve always had a passion for people and that passion over the years evolved into what I’m doing today. Those life experiences growing up as well as what I believe to be divine encounters with people began shaping my assignment.
There were mentors who came into my life over the years that deposited great wisdom in me, they began to tell me how they saw this calling on my life to people and how they could see leadership potential. As time went on I would lean into this and started the journey of discovering my passion for impacting people of all walks. During the summers I would go and visit my dad back in Ohio, he lived in Dayton Ohio, he attended a church called Maranatha Worship Center and it was there that I connected with like minded young people who were serving in the church. We would have leadership classes, young men’s gatherings as well as I was a part of a youth department called Maranatha Voices Of Joy which traveled all over the country singing, doing skits and impacting young people.
From there in my early 20’s I was told about an organization that was hiring in Nashville Tennessee called Lifeway and they were sending young adults through Centrifuge and Afro Centrifuge around the country to impact young people in the inner cities and youth camps. They hired me. They loaded up equipment onto a trailer and gave us an 8 passenger van with 8 of us on it to pull this equipment and from May through August we traveled weekly from city to city setting up these youth camps and impacting inner city kids. We stayed in dorms, host homes, hotels. This experience impacted me greatly and was the beginning of my full acceptance of my calling to impact people.
I eventually went to Tulsa Oklahoma to attend Rhema Bible college and the rest is history. I graduated that program, met my wife of 23 years now, and began traveling with a leader named Lee Wilson who traveled extensively around the country and internationally, Those 5 years I learned a lot and eventually was hired in Atlanta Ga. At WCCI where over the years I became one of the highest paid African American youth Pastors in the country with one of the largest attended, over 1000 students weekly and a annual conference that hosted 5000 to 6000 students in attendance.
I then began speaking and training leaders around the country nationally and internationally to the Caribbean, Bahamas, West Africa, East Africa etc. I have had the honor of mentioning countless youth, young adults and leaders who are now walking in purpose fulfilling their callings and assignments. I also became an ORANGE Speaker for 8 years, Orange is an organization that hosts a conference of 15 to 20 thousand yearly attendees. In 2019 I launched my own annual conference called One Alliance Leadership Conference where people came from around the country to Atlanta. I’ve been able to impact thousands over the 30 years of ministry and leadership.
I currently Pastor an up and coming church The ALTAR ATL Church here in Atlanta Ga. With growing locations in Orlando, and Kampala Uganda with more on the radar to come.. I travel extensively still speaking at conferences, training leaders and impacting the lives of people worldwide, it is my greatest passion. I’ll soon be releasing 3 books that I’m excited about that focus on leadership and another on leading the next generation. I’m excited about the future and look forward to impacting thousands of people into purpose.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been challenging on many levels, staying focused and disciplined, keeping finances flowing in while fulfilling purpose and taking care of my family.
There are also internal obstacles we all face from childhood, I struggle with confidence at times because of things I faced growing up that impacted me on into my adult life.
Also as leaders we have blind spots that we at times cannot see that impact the war we lead as well as that affect others. That’s been a challenge at times maintaining people and learning from your mistakes along the way.
Funding the vision has also been an obstacle due to a lack of resources or not able to hire proper staffing etc, or purchase all of the right equipment. I also have had challenges with venues we rent and facilities because we don’t own our own building yet, so we have had to move a few times.
There was a season that the mission and vision became the mistress to my family and I neglected them un intentionally. I was so driven that I lost sight of the most important aspect of my life, my wife and kids. We can at times get so caught up pursing success that we miss being successful as a husband, father, brother, son. That was probably one of the biggest and hurtful lessons.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My passion is leading leaders and building people up. My heart is to push people to their highest potential. I consult with organizations and churches to build up their leadership teams and staffing. This is what I’m known for.
I also consult churches concerning building highly effective youth ministries ( Middle school, high school, young adult ministries) etc.
I travel extensively full time doing motivational speaking, developing leaders as well as spiritual enlightenment, and speaking to young people. Once again this is one of my greatest passions..
I am also a writer, I love writing inspirational pieces that equip people to believe in themselves and live better lives. I also write to equip leaders with tools to help them succeed.
Lastly I’m a comedian, I do stand up comedy with characters I created to make people laugh. People book these characters for shows and events.
Any big plans?
I’m planning to launch a leadership podcast that focuses on people that are overlooked in leadership. Excited about that
I also want to launch a light hearted funny podcast with one of my most popular comedy characters The Deacon Cleophis.
I’m also completing 3 books to be released this year in 2025
I plan to expand The ALTAR ATL experiences to other places in the country. This is a new venture all around and a church for all people multicultural and multigenerational. In the past I’ve focused solely on youth and young adults, now I wast to focus on all people’s.
We are hosting One Alliance Leadership Conference again this year with plans to expand the brand and create ways to impact and equip leaders beyond the yearly events.
Pricing:
- The One Alliance Leadership Conference costs about $150 per person
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Personal – @Owensempire or Church IG – @TheAltarAtl
- Facebook: Mike Owens https://www.facebook.com/share/19NnXGUVAL/
