Mike & Wencke Bates

In 1999, while attending a ministry training school, Mike connected with a couple from Frankfurt Germany. Through this friendship Mike began to understand that the recurring tug at his heart from childhood toward the nation of Germany was more than one of ancestral interest, it was a calling to serve that nation in ministry. Surrendering to that call in 2001, Mike left his job to spend nine months serving a local church in Frankfurt on the most menial level. It was through this experience Mike learned that ministry, unlike the secular business world, is not about earning an income rather serving the Body of Christ. After being instructed by the Lord to return home in order to “serve another man’s ministry”, a door of opportunity to do so opened in Southern California.

While serving at Life Church in Mission Viejo, California Mike met Pastors Ira and Linda Angustain, founders of Kingdom Covenant Church kingdomcovenantchurch.net in Lake Forest, California.  In 2011, Pastors Ira and Linda ordained Mike and his wife Wencke (Vayne kə) for their ministry in Germany and the nations.

As the apostle Paul instructed in Ephesians 4:12, Mike and Wencke believe they, like all who are called to full-time ministry are to instruct, equip, and encourage men and women both young and old to “do” the work of the ministry empowering them to serve and impact their environment through the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit working in and through them.