Pastor Michael Gatkek passionately leads the African Relief Ministries as chief executive officer with strategic direction to the South Sudan and Ethiopian African regions. As an advocate of peace and human rights in Africa, Michael’s 30-year pastoral and professional experience is founded with a deep passion and commitment to achieve A.R.M.’s mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. The ministry also demonstrates the gospel by providing the most basic survival needs of water, food, clothing, housing, and medical care for over 500 widows and 700 orphans. ARM also seeks for lasting community transformation by training over 1,130 pastors on how to care for victims of trauma and to be ambassadors of peace and reconciliation in both South Sudan and Ethiopia. Pastor Michael has supported the pride of A.R.M. Ministries by focusing on its vocational opportunities and microloans that help enable the country’s widows to become self-reliant and attain their education. His charisma and leadership have led to coordinated partnerships throughout the U.S. and the world.
His faith journey in the Nazarene Church began as a pastor of six congregations in Gambella, Ethiopia. Originally from South Sudan, Pastor Michael lived as a refugee for many years. And prior to moving to the U.S., he was impacted by the guidance of his mother’s spiritual leadership, who encouraged him to serve the South Sudanese refugee camps. He did so as the Chairman of Interdenomination and Coordinator of Sanitation for the camp. In 2000 he immigrated to the U.S. earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from Husson University. In 2016 he earned a Master’s of Divinity from All Nation Christian Church University in Texas. For 13 years prior to founding A.R.M., while living in Maine, Pastor Michael worked closely with adults who have special needs (Down Syndrome) alongside serving as head pastor of the South Sudanese “Mission” Church of the Nazarene. He and his wife and their eight children now live in Fort Worth, Texas where he is lead pastor at Mid-City African United Fellowship Church of the Nazarene in Arlington, Texas. He is also the African Ministry Coordinator for the West Texas Nazarene District and the USA/Canada Regional South Sudanese Coordinator, planting churches, and providing management and church planting training throughout the U.S. and Canada.
