"When else will you get another 12-month period to go that deep into God’s Word?"
Goad on Registration Day at Word of Life Bible Institute, 1982
Goad yearbook photo
Michael Goad first encountered Word of Life at just seven years old, when his father, a pastor, helped host a local rally in the Washington, D.C. area. From that moment on, Word of Life Camps became a recurring and formative part of his summers. It was through the influence of a high school friend, Scott Mayson (class of 1981), telling him about his expe- rience at the Bible Institute, that Michael decided to attend Word of Life Bible Institute himself. He enrolled and graduated with the Class of 1983. Reflecting on his time at the Bible Institute, Michael points to the depth of spiritual community as the most impactful part of his experience. “Everyone there was serious about Christ,” he recalls. “When else will you get another 12-month period to go that deep into God’s Word?” The structured study of Scripture, both book-by-book and from a theo- logical perspective, was foundational. Surrounded by like-minded peers and immersed in truth, he developed a greater understanding of God’s Word that would shape not only his personal life but also his professional path. Though Michael didn’t enter full-time ministry, he has continually leaned on the biblical grounding he received at Word of Life. His studies gave him a framework for decision-making, a deeper sense of purpose, and the conviction to live out his faith authentically in the business world.
When asked how Word of Life influenced his journey, Michael was quick to point out that it wasn’t only his time at Word of Life – it was the combination of a strong Christian high school, a year at the Bible Institute, and his time at Bryan College that laid a solid foundation for his life. That is exactly what we hope every student comes to understand: Word of Life Bible Institute is meant to be a launchpad, not a finish line. Whether a student is heading into ministry or the corporate world, transferring to a university, or entering a trade, the Bible Institute is a foundation to build the rest of their life. Professionally, Michael has made a significant impact in the financial sector. After graduating from the Bible Institute, he earned his B.A. from Bryan College and an MBA from Grand Valley State University. His career spans several major leader- ship roles in the financial industry, including serving as Chief Financial Officer at The Bank of Holland, Cornerstone University, Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, and Dow Credit Union. Today, he serves as the CEO and President of Dow Credit Union. He has also taught corporate financial management as an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. Beyond his professional achievements, Michael’s life is marked by generous service and mean- ingful community involvement. He has served on
21 The Word of Life Experience
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