About ProdigalMike

My name is Michael Anderson. I was born in Chicago, IL.  I was raised in Savannah/Hardin County, TN. I was saved at the age of eleven at First Baptist Counce, TN. By the age of fifteen, I had stopped attending church and had thrown myself into riding motorcycles. In September of 1977 with my best friend riding on the back of my motorcycle, we were hit head-on by a 1971 Chevelle that was on our side of the road in a curve. Through this incident, God introduced me to the youth of Hopewell.  I spent the rest of my teenage years at Hopewell rarely, if ever, missing a service or activity. I grew up in the Hopewell Baptist Church Youth Department. 

Then one day in the fall of 1980, the Lord asked the question, “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me” (Isa. 6:8). I began to understand that God was calling me to ministry at the age of 16 when I began leading the music for Children's Church at Hopewell. Hopewell licensed me to the Gospel Ministry in 1980 and ordained me in 1981.  I attended Union University as a Music Major and then Blue Mountain College where I continued to study music and a Major in Bible.  It was there, as I studied under Dr. James Travis, that my love for learning the Word of God really grew. I later (in my 30's), received degrees in Church Ministry and History from Dallas Baptist University. 

My wife, Angela, and I were married in 1981 and have two grown sons, David and Matthew.  Together with my wife, I have been serving churches in Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida since 1981.  I have served as a Youth Pastor, Education Pastor, Worship Pastor, Senior Adult Pastor, Children's Pastor, and Senior Pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Allons, TN for seven years.  It seems that the Lord has often placed us in ministry positions where Angela's and my gifts were needed to build, rebuild, or repair a Church.

In October 2012, I moved back to Savannah to serve my home church at Hopewell as Pastor of Youth and Education. Hopewell had been without a permanent Youth Pastor for several years. I served as Youth Pastor and Education Pastor until 2021.

I have a special heart for teaching the Word of God.  My heart is in educating Christians to further the Gospel and live secure, purpose-filled lives!  I now serve as Pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Savannah, TN where we are now studying through the Bible in chronological order for the second time. 

"One of the best things I have ever done as a Pastor is to use the materials from my Connections Bible Studies! These Bible Studies are a wonderful journey through the Word of God and that has changed my life! It was a home run for our Church. I personally have experienced more growth in one time through our chronological study than the last ten years combined!  And that is saying something! I could never have predicted the impact the Chronological Bible Study would have on my life or on my church's life!

Through that first year of chronological study, I gained insights and began to write my own lessons!  That was the goal!  Now our goal is to teach others to teach others. I believe the Lord put the building of this website on my heart to share the Word of God with everyone I can through the Connections Chronological Bible Studies. I am adding to this site regularly and building it up so others may use it for the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I pray it will be a blessing to you!"

              -Michael Anderson 

The last thing you want when you are suffering from depression and/or anxiety is to talk to someone who has never experienced it for themselves.  I understand this because I have suffered from severe depression and anxiety in the past.  I am not sure what brought it on... No one ever really is! I was not more sinful than usual?  I was not running from God like Jonah? (He sure knew about depression!)  I just know that I began panicking during the day and feeling like I was living a nightmare when I would awake in the middle of the night!  I had no idea how to cope with it.  I had no idea how I could get rid of it. I tried medication and had to stop taking that because of side effects.

It is damaging to the individual and to their families, friends, co-workers, their church, and sometimes even strangers!  But the truth is that God really is with you!  I had a hard time seeing that but my feelings were dictating what I believed to be the truth.  But my feelings were lies! How many times have you made a decision based on how you feel only to regret it later? Feelings almost always lie. There are definitely better ways to make decisions.

After about a year and a half of depression and anxiety, I was ready to end it all.  I planned it out and was about to carry out my plans when in my mind I heard a thought... I believe it was the Holy Spirit.  He said, "What are you doing?  Come back!  There are people in your life that can help..."

I immediately thought of the prodigal son. That's me!  I am that guy! That was the year 1999...

I am assembling some Bible studies that really helped me during those times as well as some really good advice that helped me get on and stay on the right path.  

You can click the link below to check on my progress!  Send me any thoughts or feel free to contact me with your needs.  They will be kept totally private.  GOD BLESS!