ABOUT MIKE

A life shaped by showing up.

Author, speaker, pastor, interpreter, entrepreneur, husband, father—and a believer in the extraordinary impact of ordinary people.

THE STORY

Mike never set out to live between worlds.

Black-and-white portrait of author Mike Feil — The portrait featured on the back cover of *More Than Words*.

Learning American Sign Language opened the door to the Deaf community—and eventually to Christina, the woman who would become his wife. What followed was a life Mike never could have planned.

Marriage and fatherhood. Ministry and loss. Opening their home to people who needed one. Pastoring a Deaf congregation. Stepping into virtual reality to reach people searching for hope. Earning a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Crossing open water on a WaveRunner.

Some experiences brought incredible joy. Others broke his heart. Through all of them, Mike learned that the people who change our lives are often the ones who simply notice us, listen, stay when things get difficult, and faithfully show up.

FAMILY

The people at the heart of the story.

Mike and Christina have built their life around family, faith, hospitality, and the belief that people are worth showing up for. Their family is not a footnote to More Than Words—it is woven through the heart of it.

UNEXPECTED CHAPTERS

A life Mike never could have planned.

A group of WaveRunner riders gathered on the water — **Across open water**One unexpected chapter led Mike onto a WaveRunner alongside people who became part of the story.

Mike Feil with two Brazilian jiu-jitsu training partners — **Brazilian jiu-jitsu**Years of training reinforced lessons in humility, resilience, discipline, and the willingness to keep showing up.

THE PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY

No meaningful story is lived alone.

Across different seasons and different worlds, Mike’s life has been shaped by friends who welcomed him, challenged him, shared the work, and chose to show up.

The people who change our lives aren’t always the ones who do something extraordinary. Often, they’re the ones who notice us, listen to us, and stay.

Mike Feil with Allen, Becky, and LaJuan from DMA — **Community**Mike with Allen, Becky, and LaJuan from DMA—friends who became part of the journey behind *More Than Words*.

Mike Feil with his longtime friend Bernard — **A friendship that stayed**Mike and Bernard—a friendship that began in junior high and continued through decades of change, challenge, and life.

Mike and Christina Feil with Frank and Paul — **Friends along the way**Mike and Christina with Frank and Paul—another friendship woven into the larger story.

AUTHOR & SPEAKER

Faith, leadership, and connection—made personal.

Mike writes and speaks about connection, relationships, faith, leadership, and the extraordinary impact of ordinary people who choose to be present.

Sometimes the greatest gift you can give another person is simply letting them know: You matter.

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