Mike Forrest
Director of Student Ministries
Tell us about yourself:
I grew up in Ventura, CA, and was raised in a Christian home. I prayed to receive Jesus at age four (so my mother tells me), and later surrendered my life to Him at age 17. After attending The Master’s College, I interned in Lake Almanor, CA, and Dallas, TX. I then served as a youth pastor in Bethlehem, PA, and college pastor in the Bay Area. After two years as the Director of Community Life at San Diego Christian College, I began working at NCPC in June of 2009. I married my best friend (Kacie) on February 18, 2012.
My favorite things include Ultimate Frisbee, good music, coffee, and making people laugh.
What do you do as Director of Student Ministries?
I lead the Jr and Sr High Ministries in the Dome. I also oversee the website.
What is the best part of your job?
Getting to spend time with the Nuggets (the Jr Highers like being called that…) and High School students! It is so fun to share life with them as they grow and learn to love and forgive.
What are the five most important books you have read?
I’m gonna cheat a little on this one. But know that I wanted to write more. This doesn’t even include Fiction!
1. The Bible
2. Desiring God and Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper
3. Searching for God Knows What and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
4. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
5a. Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels
5b. Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll
What talent do you wish you had?
I really wish I could play piano. And speak a dozen more languages.
What is your favorite movie quote?
“Happiness only really exists when shared.” Christopher McCandless, Into the Wild
What do you order at Starbucks?
I prefer Peet’s, but if I must drink Starbucks, I’ll have: Hot a Grande Quad Americano with room (for milk and 3 Splenda); Cold a Vente Iced Americano with 3 pumps of White Chocolate Sauce; Special Treat a Vente Vanilla Bean Frappaccino with caramel drizzle in the cup. And yes, I’m picky.
What food do you absolutely love? What food do you hate?
Love: Pizza Port, ice cream, cappuccinos, burritos, most sushi.
Hate: canned tuna, raw tomatoes, squash.
What are your Most Favorite Places in the World?
Lists are complicated, but I kind of narrowed it to five.
1. Ventura Pier
2. Anywhere with Craig, Nathan, Paul, Ryan, Matt, or Scott.
3. My sister’s apartment in New York City.
4. The colonial cities of Madrid, Spain or Cuenca, Ecuador
5. Hume Lake
