Athens United Methodist Church is pleased to announce that Pastor Michael Shultz will be joining our church family beginning July 1, 2026.

My name is Michael Shultz. I have been under assignment in the United Methodist Church since July of 2019, first as an assistant to another pastor, then as a supply pastor at my own churches, then a licensed local pastor. I am currently enrolled at Asbury
Theological Seminary working towards a Master of Divinity degree as an online student.
My wife Sarah and I met at Oakland City University and married on July 30, 2016. We began working with the children and youth programs at her father’s church, each of us teaching Sunday School classes and helping with the Youth Group, continuing in those capacities after her father was moved to a new church and a new pastor was appointed. We continued there until I was assigned to assist Pastor Bob Manier with his two churches of Broughton UMC and Tate’s Chapel in Eldorado and Galatia. I have since been assigned to pastor churches of my own.
My wife and I have two children, a daughter named Elizabeth, who was born in April of 2020, and a son named Daniel, who we adopted on April 1, 2026. Our daughter loves to color and learn new things. She has been homeschooled from K3 thru Kindergarten this year, and wants to go to school this fall. Our son Daniel is an energetic boy who loves to run and climb everything. He will be two this December.
Our family enjoys spending time together just the four of us, and also with our families through camping, hiking, playing games, and watching movies. We also enjoy getting together with friends to do the same whenever we have the chance. We are trying to make family life a priority as I have sought to balance family, school, and work life, so that life doesn’t just take over and steal the joy.
I look forward to our time together, learning more about each other as we go. I trust that God is placing my family here to further his purpose, both in our lives and in all of yours. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you.

