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About Dr. Neil

Senior Pastor with twenty seven years of pastoral experience. Ministry includes ten years of music, choir, and worship leadership, and thirty years of concurrent Christian education and educational leadership experience. Church planter with experience in five new church plants, including the one currently pastored in the western suburbs of Chicago. Thirty years in computer software development and computer systems instruction, and more than thirty five years as President and CEO (Family Fitness Centers, Inc.) with responsibilities that include budgets, marketing, staff and leadership training, property management, and customer relations. MA in Christian ministry with an emphasis in Education. Mdiv equiv. With an emphasis in pastoral care (Chaplaincy). D.Min. in Preaching and Leadership with an emphasis on multicultural leadership. Graduate studies in foreign language, psychology and computer science. Thirty years experience in computer science, and twenty years experience in business management and leadership. More than thirty years experience working with non profit corporations, and nearly thirty years experience in teaching and training. Martial arts, self defense, and fitness instructor for thirty-nine years. Counseling, hospice, and chaplaincy experience with related graduate studies. Experience with technology in education, instructional design, and instructional technology. Doctoral studies professor of theology, Christian Education, Ministry Development, Preaching and Leadership. Teach within the COGIC at Jurisdictional Convocations and National Conferences. District Superintendent.  

   Theological Education

  • National Institute for Christian Leadership, Chicago, IL. — PhD. In New Testament , 2015
  • United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH. — Doctor of Ministry in Preaching and Leadership, 2010
  • Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, IL. — Masters of Divinity Eq, 2006
  • Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, IL. — Masters in Christian Education, 2003​

Significant Professional Experience

  • Lecturer for National Leadership Conference, Albuquerque 2016, Little Rock 2017, Atlanta 2018
  • AIM Missions Conf. Instructor, Tampa 2015, Cincinnati 2016, Charlotte 2017, Indianapolis 2018
  • Director of Instructional Technology, Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago IL. 2010 - 2013
  • Affiliate Professor of Ministry, Northern Theological Seminary, Lombard IL. 2010 - Present
  • Doctor of Ministry Faculty Professor, United Theological Seminary, Dayton OH. 2009 - Present
  • Director of Instructional Design, Northern Theological Seminary, Lombard IL. 2010 - 2011
  • Business Developer/Church Planter, Aurora IL. 1990 - 2005
  • Teaching Pastor/CE Director, Rock of Ages, Maywood IL. 2003 - 2005
  • Software Engineer and Trainer/AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville IL. 1979 - 1999
   

   Roles and Special Appointments

  • Director of COGIC World Missions for St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies
  • Senior Pastor, Word and Worship Christian Church, Aurora, IL. 2005 - Present
  • District Superintendent for IL. Sixth Jurisdiction
  • Logistics Coordinator for the Annual World Missions AIM Missions & Evangelism Conference
  • President, National Institute for Christian Leadership, Chicago IL. 2015 - Present
  • President and Senior Master Instructor, Traditional Martial Arts & Family Fitness Centers, Inc.
  • Founder and CEO of Mike Neil Ministries, Inc.
  • Chairman, COGIC 6th Jurisdiction of IL. General Assembly
  • President of State Men’s Dept.​ and the "Man Up" Conference
  • Lead Facilitator and Executive Team Member for the COGIC Leadership Conference