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Title:
Director- EMI United Kingdom
Contact Info:
Office: +44 - 1473 - 311622
Mobile: +44 - 7841 - 878441
michael.woods@emiuk.org
Mike's Story
I grew up in a non-Christian home and, at the age of 5, my mother died of Cancer. For many years this caused me to avoid reliance on friends or family and it was only at the age of 18 that I realised that I could let go control of my life and, instead, trust in an all loving all powerful God. Since then, although the road has not always been smooth, His guidance has always been present in my life.
In 1977 I married Marietta and by 1980 God had blessed us with two daughters Nadine and Eleonore. In 1981 we were able to serve God for two years in Iraq as we helped to run St George's Church in Baghdad. This was alongside our secular work helping to design the Baghdad Metro.
I qualified as an Architect in 1993. Then, in 1995, I was able to follow a life long desire to learn to fly. It soon became obvious that this was also in God's plan for us. In 1997 Marietta and I followed a clear calling to serve God again by using flying skills and Management experience and we applied to join Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). In 1999 we left England to follow His call to MAF: firstly we served in Tanzania and then in Uganda. We left Uganda and MAF in 2004 after being overseas for 5 years The next three years were spent getting back into Architecture and rebuilding relationships with UK family and friends.
While we were in Uganda we came to know a group of street children, many of whom we (unofficially) adopted. For several of them we took on the role of real parents. This involvement has continued until today. Also in Uganda we came to know of the work of Engineering Ministries International and we began to wonder if this might be God's next step for us.
On an EMI project trip in early 2007 God confirmed His continued calling on our lives. So we followed His instructions to leave the very secular Company I was working with and applied to join EMI. After discussions with EMI we agreed to become staff and to the setting up of a new office for EMI in the United Kingdom. EMI UK was born!
It is good to be back in Mission again serving God.
EMI Project Portfolio
UGANDA (Kyagwe) - Bethany Village Secondary School
RWANDA (Musanze) - Kids Across Africa Camp
Joined EMI
Nov 2007
Family
Married to Marietta since 1977, two children Nadine (29. Married to Dan) and Eleonore (27. About to marry Jon). Also 8 'Adopted' Ugandan children including Lela (20), Denis (17) and Adrian (21 who is now doing the Mission Aviation Program at Moody).
Professional Training & Experience
BA(Hons) Interior Design 1980
BA(Hons) Architecture 1990
Dip. Arch(Hons) Architecture 1993
RIBA Membership 1993
CPL/IR/MEL/CFI Flight Licences plus 1200hrs flight time
As an Architect I have travelled all over the world. I have worked on projects in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Iraq. I have worked at Director level and I have run my own company. I have worked with Public Sector employers and I have worked with Private Companies. I believe in Servant Leadership and not dictatorial or just letting things happen.
Ministry Experience
I have helped to run St Georges Anglican Church in Baghdad furing the time of the Iran Iraq war. I have been involved in door-to-door Evangelism in London and Colchester. I designed and supervised a large extension for my church in Colchester. I have run a Soup Run outreach project from our home church. I have been (and still am) a Deacon at our home church. I have been a pilot and Country Director for MAF in two countries. I have been on two project trips with EMI. One to Uganda and one to Rwanda.
I loved Tanzania the most but as long as it is where God leads I will go anywhere and do anything.
Christian Inspirations
Romans 8 v
"No. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The Footsteps in the Sand Poem |
