Pastor Michael McArthur was born and raised in a small farming community in the southeast corner of Arkansas. Raised in church by dedicated Christian parents, Bro. Michael came to trust Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 12, and at 16 felt the call of God on his life to preach. His wife Cristi was born into a preacher’s home in Kilgore, Texas. She, along with her parents and siblings, served in the gospel ministry in Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. In 1999, Bro. Michael and Mrs. Cristi were married and began serving the Lord together in full-time ministry. They have had the privilege of serving as the assistant pastor and your pastor for Faith Baptist Church in Kilgore for four years. The Lord then opened the door for them to pastor Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Summerville, Georgia for three years before moving them to Fundamental Baptist Church in Livingston, Louisiana to serve as youth pastor and assistant pastor for 12 years. In November of 2016, the Lord once again opened the door for Bro. Michael and family to become pastor here at Lydia Missionary Baptist Church. Bro. Michael and Mrs. Cristi have been blessed with five children. Micah is the oldest, then Malachi, Chloe, Kennedy and Mathias who is affectionately known as MoJo.