Meet Our Team

Pastor Mike Gratzke has faithfully served as Lead Pastor of Community First Church since October 2010. An ordained minister with the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) since 2003, with a PHD and Doctorate degree in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministries, he has dedicated his life to helping people discover the hope, truth, and transforming power of Jesus Christ through the teaching of God’s Word.

Before coming to Community First Church, Pastor Mike and his wife, Kim, served as missionary pastors in Baja California Sur, Mexico, from 1997 to 2010. Their ministry began in La Paz and later led them to Cabo San Lucas, where they planted the region’s first English-speaking church.

Working alongside local pastors and congregations, they helped foster unity among churches, developed outreach ministries, and launched initiatives such as Kid’s Kitchens, which provided meals for school children in need. In 5 years, the Kids Kitchens program eliminated malnutrition in that part of the region. Many of the ministries they established continue to thrive today, leaving a lasting impact on communities throughout the region.

In addition to his pastoral ministry, Pastor Mike is a published author, conference speaker, publisher of Grace Revolution magazine, and church planter. Through each of these roles, his desire remains the same: to encourage people to know Christ more deeply and to live out their faith by serving God in practical ways.

Known for his passion for Scripture and his engaging, practical teaching style, Pastor Mike is committed to helping people understand God’s Word and apply its truth to everyday life. His heart is to see lives transformed by the grace of God and communities strengthened through the love of Christ.