Michael and Coleen Elmore
Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Michael spent his early years listening to the exciting stories that his mother would tell him. Faith was central to the family's life, and he vividly remembers listening to Bible stories like David and Goliath, Joseph and his coat of many colors, and of course, the life of Jesus. As a young boy a small local paper asked Michael to be a "cub reporter" and published several of his news stories. It was then that the idea of becoming a writer was born.
Michael, his wife Coleen, and their three young children left Iowa in 1982 to attend Bible College in Los Angeles. He studied Bible, theology and pastoral ministry. Because of his experience in printing, the college offered him a job as Director of Graphics. It was here that he edited, corrected, and designed textbooks published by the school. College also taught him the importance of researching and providing documentation that is an element in his literary style today.
Michael was ordained in 1986. It did not take him long to realize that pastoral ministry provided great stories that he often shared with family and friends. He just could not escape the allure of storytelling. During this time, Michael was a regular columnist for the local paper. Of course, every week he had another writing assignment - something called the "Sunday sermon".
Following several years of pastoral ministry, Michael made the decision to return to graduate school. During this time, he contributed many articles to the seminary's theological journal. At this time, one of the seminary professors asked him to edit and re-write a book that she was publishing at the time.
Eventually, he realized that typing and editing on a typewriter took a lot of time so he bought his first computer. Primitive as it was, it made the process of writing much easier. In all of this, Michael's ability to write continued to grow.
In 2003, Michael and his wife Coleen moved back to Iowa where he spent time as a chaplain for several years. Again, people's stories as they battled incurable illnesses and death left a deep impact on him. He contributed articles about chaplaincy and spirituality on the website of a large hospital system.
After years of experience with various genres of writing, Michael has sensed God calling him full-time into the field of Christian writing. Currently he is using his long time interest in Christian apologetics and health care to write this exciting new book.
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