Friendship Church - Leadership - Prior Lake and Shakopee, Minnesota

Naomi Panek

Guest Relations Coordinator

952-447-0536

What is your fondest memory?

As a child I so enjoyed going on day-trips with them, to church with them, and spending time at their house.? I just loved being with them.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A nurse, clear up until I passed out in an Operating Room Amphitheater.? After that, it didn?t seem to be such a good idea

What book would you recommend and why?

For fun reading, I really enjoyed Jan Karon?s Mitford series ? about a dozen in all.? Jan brings Mitford alive with true-to-life hometown characters that fit people we know in all our lives; she infuses the stories with God?s love throughout life?s daily business, its celebrations, and its challenges. ??I loved taking time to ?see what?s happening in Mitford.?

Your idea of a perfect day?

A perfect day for me is poking around the back roads, the shops and the restaurants in the Amish /Mennonite community around Shipshewana, off I-80 in northern IN, followed with an evening concert at the Bluegate Christian Dinner Theater.

Besides Jesus, who is your favorite person in the Bible and why?

?It?s too hard to choose just one.? My favorite Bible people are the people of Genesis and Exodus because they demonstrate so much about living in faith; in Genesis and Exodus we get to journey through their lives right along with them.? Their lives were full of challenges that mirror the lesser challenges of current times when we have the full scripture for instruction.

What do you like most about Friendship Church?

Friendship Church has a place for everybody.? And the ministries are all powered by prayer and fantastic volunteers.

Pastor Mike Golay

Shakopee Campus Pastor

952-567-6465

Pastor Mike is married to Sharon and they have three children. He is one of our "home grown students" having been active in our Student Ministry during high school. After spending years on the mission field, he accepted the call to come back to be campus pastor of Friendship's Shakopee location when it opened in 2003. Pastor Mike graduated from Bethel Seminary.

Do you have a hobby you really enjoy?

I enjoy the European sports car genre. Although I don't have much knowledge of how to work on the newer cars, it is fun to be able to tweak, detail, and drive my vintage VW Scirocco.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

Israel - Since I lived there before and my wife's family is there. I know the culture, language, and I'm comfortable in that society. I also love the land with all the nature reserves, and enjoy the opportunity to show the land to tourists.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?

I would love to go back to the First Century and witness the life of Christ. What did He look like? What were His favorite foods? What would it be like to hear His teachings and witness the miracles that He performed?

If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?

If I could get a front row seat at the Garden Tomb and see how Jesus resurrected, that would be epic! Besides that, I think it would be very cool to go back to when God created the world and witness everything forming.

What is one of your favorite quotes?

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do." - Helen Keller

Your biggest challenge?

It was leading through a difficult time in our church during 2005-2008. It was an overwhelming challenge, but it shaped and molded me in so many ways. God showed up many times and reminded us of His love and commitment to Friendship Church. It was an education on all levels that can't be rivaled in any seminary!

What do you think makes a good leader?

Dynamic determination, intellectual flexibility, character, emotional maturity, and collaborative drive.

What do you like most about Friendship Church?

The spirit of generosity and volunteerism. I've been to many churches and organizations and I've never seen anything like it. I see a congregation willing to give Time, Talent, Treasure, and Touch. Very inspiring.