After growing up on the East Coast and attending college in Virginia at Liberty University, Michael moved to Southern California to help start a church. Michael served as a Student Ministry Pastor before moving into his current role with the North American Mission Board. In ministry, Michael has a passion for raising up leaders and seeing the local church on mission. While church planting, Michael has also coached a number of high school teams, helping set players on a trajectory for all levels of soccer — from college to Major League Soccer (MLS).
Michael has a B.S. in Youth Ministries, a Master of Arts in Religion, and is ABD on a Doctor of Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Nonprofit Development. He has served on staff at Wayne Hills Baptist Church (2001-2003), Liberty Church (2003-2017), and as a Church Planting Catalyst with the North American Mission Board (of the Southern Baptist Convention) since 2017.
Through sitting on the sidelines and interacting with other MLS Academy parents, Michael has become keenly aware of the need for chaplaincy at all levels of the MLS family.
Michael Kell serves as a regional chaplain in Southern California, a position he has held since 2022. He is ordained through the Southern Baptist Convention.
Michael is married to Janelle, a high school counselor. He has a daughter (Audrey) who is a Liberty University student and a son (Ethan) who plays in the LAFC Academy.
When not on a soccer sideline or watching soccer, Michael enjoys roasting and handcrafting coffee, hanging with his family, and photography. He is a fan of Manchester United FC, LAFC, and all things Liberty University.
Education
BS, Religion and Youth Ministries, Liberty University
MA, Religion, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
EdD – A.B.D, Organizational Leadership, Grand Canyon University
Additional Certifications and Trainings
Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Chaplaincy Training and Certification, 2010
Real World Parents Trainer, 2015
Endorsed SBC North American Mission Board Missionary 2017
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