Allow me to share a few more things about my heart and life – so that as you contemplate next steps for your ministry, you will have a deeper sense of who I am and perhaps begin to feel the ways we might partner together.

I was a lead pastor for 35 years in three very different kinds of churches and communities. First – a small rural church – then an urban/suburban church that became quite large – and finally, a very diverse, urban church located in a tough, gritty Detroit neighborhood. I have lived the shepherding life – and connected intimately with countless pastors from every background, gender, ethnicity and denomination along the way.

I am passionate about helping believers live in authentic community — across racial, socioeconomic and all lines of division — learning to truly love one another in the chaos of real relationships, learning to celebrate our differences, learning to stay together even when we don't like one another – so that the world will see a living picture of Jesus Christ.

I also am passionate about helping believers find freedom from childhood wounds — the ones that often keep us trapped, living addictively and in deep dysfunction – unable to experience true freedom in Christ. For me, this freedom has come through taking an inside look and learning to see myself and others through the Father's eyes.

The more you get to know me, the less it will surprise you that I am probably most passionate about God's love. In my book, “Choose and Choose Again: the Brave Act of Returning to God’s Love”, I take a deep dive into the topic of the Father’s healing love through many stories – including my own – of real, broken people from many backgrounds and walks of life. You might feel more of my heart in these pages than almost anywhere else.

Finally, in my spare time, I love to visit my grandchildren, read, lift weights, watch live sports, write and hang out with my best friend, and wife, Carla.

— J. Kevin Butcher  |  Loved by God

Carla and Me
It's hard to believe that we've been married for over 40 years. I often say that her love is the single most convincing proof to me that there is a personal loving God who loves me, too. We love to just hang out! Sometimes you can find us watching our favorite TV dramas or bird-watching on our back porch. 

Rev. Mack – or simply “Mack” as he’s called by colleagues and friends –brings the full weight of his extensive background in creative arts, theology, and family/community development together in his teaching and coaching style. The result is a casually charismatic and disciplined approach that combines a “real talk” sensibility with a shepherd’s firm, but gentle guidance to create safe spaces for his students and charges to confront difficult issues on their own terms – and have the tools to address them.

As a pastor and public speaker, Mack has reached and changed the lives of thousands of people – one conversation at a time. Mack’s methods have helped families successfully navigate the depths of depression, addiction, gun violence, suicide, divorce, and countless other trauma that could leave families devastated. His commitment to finding ways to “talk you through the tough stuff” has helped countless people find hope in difficult times and the courage to face difficult realities.

William Mack currently serves as the Co-Executive Director with Rooted Ministries. He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois with his wife Tori. They are the parents of five amazing children and grandparents to four.

— William Mack III  |  Loved by God

Tori and Mack

Pam Pangborn brings a wealth of experience in pastoral ministry and healing care. She just concluded a 16-year tenure as a pastor at Hope Community Church in Detroit, an urban faith community deeply committed to seeing and experiencing the power of transformation through God’s love. She is passionate about helping pastors and leaders experience the transforming love of God through intimate relationship with Jesus and helping people embrace their identity in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus within the world. Pam is committed to building authentic, life changing communities with other followers of Jesus that become a pathway for healing and wholeness within the church.

Pam also serves as a spiritual director within the Evangelical Covenant Church and as a senior caregiver with Healing Care Ministries, a ministry dedicated to empowering God's people for the Christian journey through pastoral care, spiritual formation, and training and equipping leaders to minister healing within the church. She is a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio and holds a Master of Divinity/Master of Counseling degree and also a Doctor of Ministry in Formational Counseling.

Pam Pangborn currently serves as the Director of Pastoral Care with Rooted Ministries. She currently resides in Detroit, Michigan with her husband Ron. They are the parents of a beautiful daughter and grandparents to one.

— Pam Pangborn  |  Loved by God

From Refresh23

Rooted Ministries affirms the historic creeds of the early church [Nicaea and Chalcedon] in terms of the nature of God and the person of Jesus Christ and His redemptive work in our broken world.  

Otherwise, Rooted Ministries holds to a quote often attributed to Augustine:  
“In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.”

J Kevin Butcher
Loved by God; Executive Director

James Worden
Loved by God; Board Secretary;
PK; Teacher

Corey Voorman
Loved by God

Brian Koehn
Loved by God

Andrea Di Santo
Loved by God; Administrator

Kevin Hu
Loved by God; Connections Director