Michael & Michele Kole

September 29, 1986, Michael & Michele Kole accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. After 4 years of marriage, 2 small children, financial loss, marriage in shambles, and separation – we accepted the Lord when Ps John Maxwell, Skyline Wesleyan Church, Lemon Grove, CA, gave the altar call. What followed soon after was one-on-one discipleship with a wonderful older couple who poured into our lives individually for a year. We credit their faithfulness with grounding us in the Bible and laying the foundation that would last and is the reason we value discipleship in the Word of God – His manual for how to do life.

Their backgrounds are very different. Michael was born in Yugoslavia, of Serbian parents, during WW2. His father was a shepherd, and he was born in a “manger”. (True story!). The house where they lived was damaged during the war, and they lived in what was left, in the basement with the animals. His father fought against the Communists, and he was shot and captured, but escaped to get the family out of the country when Michael was 6 months old. They walked out on foot in the winter, across the border to Italy. Michael, his parents and 2 brothers, lived in refugee camps in Italy and Germany before immigrating to the States when he was 6 years old. He lived in Chicago where his mom and dad worked in factories, then owned a bar and restaurant and his father became a plumber. Michael graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago, served stateside in the Army during Viet Nam, then became a successful real estate broker until moving to San Diego in 1978. He was raised in the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Michele was born in San Diego, California, to parents who were born in Iowa and Indiana. Her mom was a pastor’s daughter, her dad was catholic. Her mom stayed at home to take care of her and her 2 sisters, while her dad worked for the Navy in civil service. Michele graduated from San Diego State University, worked in property management, then became a real estate broker and later a mortgage broker. Enjoyed water skiing, snow skiing, traveling to Brazil and Europe. Michele attended the Presbyterian church until college when her mom switched to the Methodist church.

In 1978 Michael and Michele happened to be taking disco dancing lessons at a local restaurant and bar. They had one date but ran into each other occasionally in various real estate and networking groups. One night in February of 1981, bells and whistles went off at another local dance place and that was it. They married on November 7, 1982. One year later their son, Jason, was born. From the outside all looked wonderful! But it wasn’t. They both had been attracted to New Age teaching and practices – were in fact married in a Church of Religious Science. Got involved in areas such as “teachings of the Inner Christ” (demonic), rebirthing, body work modalities, calling up spirits, table tipping, EST, and anything New Age they could find. All of which left them empty, confused, oppressed, and depressed. Their business went under, they lost their home, their cars, they had just had a baby girl, Jessica; and their son, Jason, was only 2-1/2. Michele moved back home to live with her parents, Michael left for Chicago to restart their business and live with his family.

BUT GOD… A faithful friend of Michael and Michele prayed for them. Michael returned from Chicago to get back with Michele. Her parents and family were not on board and forbid him from staying at their home. It was decided that they would attend church together at their friend’s invitation. It was at Skyline Wesleyan Church, where they accepted the Lord, were discipled and God put their marriage back together after the year of discipleship was completed. The next year Michele gave birth to their son, Jeremy. Their family was complete.

God has been the center of their lives since 1986. Through many challenging times they have thrived and grown stronger. Each church and ministry they have joined has helped them build a strong foundation in the Word of God and the value of discipleship, and especially in developing home groups and multiplying them. In 1993 they were led to write a discipleship program called the “SPIRIT LED LIFE” which is still available via the internet and in some churches. Seasons of ministry have brought them through many denominational teachings and eventually into evangelistic and charismatic ministries.

They were baptized in the Holy Spirit around 2000 (each at different times as Michele was a bit resistant). They were ordained in 2005 by Ps George Runyan with Ps Alan Higgins at the Life Church in San Diego. Then spent several years in the G12 ministry learning and teaching cell group leadership, having Encounter Weekends, growing in ministry in aspects of healing and deliverance. Since 2012 they have been a part of Awaken Church San Diego, a youth-oriented spirit filled ministry, where they oversee the PRIME Ministry (for age 50+), are Connect Group Coaches, and are on the ministry and pastoral care teams. In the past few years, the Holy Spirit has spoken to them about a new discipleship series focused on the KINGDOM OF GOD. They began preparing diligently for about 4 years, not knowing when this would come together. Holy Spirit said NOW in December 2022! In January 2023 the first session of the KINGDOM ENCOUNTER DISCIPLESHIP was launched.

Michael and Michele just celebrated 40 years of marriage, they have two sons and one daughter, all happily married to amazing spouses, who have blessed them with 10 grandchildren.