While attending services at Word of Grace Non-Denominational Church located in Pineville, I noticed the quiet unassuming young man who was like Pastor Russell Cobb's shadow everywhere he went visiting parishioners in the sanctuary.

He was very quiet, and did not intrude in pastoral conversations, but still presented the vigilance of a Secret Service agent guarding the President of the United States. He would check the batteries in the mobile microphone the pastor used in delivering his sermons and teachings, and would even bring a glass of water and place it on the speakers stand.

I had gotten to church early one Wednesday night, and noting the pastor was chatting to some nearby attendees of the service, I called the young man over, introduced myself and conveyed to him my thanks for looking after the pastor's needs, and expressed my appreciation of his dedication to a facet of the Ministry of Helps. He looked me over and told me it was his "job." And I asked, "You mean you're his bond servant?" He nodded with a stoic expression on his face and said, "Not his, but HIS," pointing upward. And then I understood that he considered serving pastor as his role in the ministry of helps.

I found out later that Michael "Mike" Macht was born in Torrance, California, graduated from Meridian, Mississippi, High School in 1979, attended Mississippi College in Jackson, for a year and a half and then joined the Navy.

Mike is of German descent as his surname indicates, and he hails from a military lineage. His grandfather was a fighter pilot during WW II; his father was in Special Services, often referred to by the military term, "special ops", which most times indicated their assignments were very hush-hush.

When I asked Mike what branch of service he had been in he replied, "I was in the U.S. Navy, a Navy SEAL." Then it became apparent to me why he presented the erect military bearing at all times.

I inquired what the qualifications are to become a Navy SEAL, which is an acronym derived from letters in the compound term, SEa-Air-Land. The SEALs were first formed in 1943 with personnel being trained to clear out obstacles which would interfere with amphibious landings. The invasion of Europe on D-Day, June 6th, 1944 being was a prime example at to where these services were utilized.

Mike said some of the basic test subjects for preliminary admission are Word Knowledge, Mathematics Knowledge, Arithmetic Reasoning, General Science, Auto and Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension, Electronics Information, Numerical Operations and Coding Speed. Upon realizing that the 44-year old man standing in front of me had passed all of these subjects added a new measure of respect.

Mike said he joined the Navy in February of 1982 at age 21, undergone most of his training at Little Creek, VA and Coronado, CA, and mustered out in 1992 because he had experienced a disabling injury in the line of duty. He would not discuss any of the details of, or where the injury occurred. He still maintains a Top Secret Military status.

Because he was physically unable to function as he once could, the brass told him he could have the rank and classification of a Personnel man, Yeoman or Boatswain's mate. He didn't stutter when he said he told them to shove it. Consequently he was discharged after only 10 years of rigorous service.

He then moved to Louisiana and hired out to an offshore services firm as a Captain on an offshore supply boat until 2004. He and his lovely wife Isabel began attending Word of Grace Church in Pineville where he was always volunteering for various chores and maintenance work around the church.

Pastor Russell Cobb noted his devotion, diligence, Christian stature, and the fact that Mike was always available when needed, so he asked him to go to work on staff primarily as a Pastoral Usher.

Mike Macht is a multi-talented, mechanically blessed individual and applies his various skills solving electrical, sound system, and plumbing problems around the church complex, while also acting as groundskeeper. His hobby is building and stocking fish tanks or aquariums, as they're known in some circles, with one of his creations lending charm to the office of the Pastoral Assistant Jerry Farve.

At any service you can look to find Mike and Isabel on the front row near the proximity of his beloved pastor he serves so diligently, and his presence is much appreciated.

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