FAMILY
Born January 11, 1941, in Buffalo, New York
Married Martie of Clarence, New York, on July 14, 1962
Four children (all married): David, 43, Atlanta; Jeffrey, 40, Montgomery; Nathan, 30,
Birmingham; and Katy, 27, Charlotte. Seven grandchildren.
CHURCH/MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
Part-time during seminary - Huntingdon Valley (PA) Pres, 1974-77
Ordained June 19, 1977
Assistant - Grenada Pres (Coral Gables, FL), 1977-83
Senior - Westminster Pres (Ballwin, MO), 1983-90
Vice Pres – Churches Vitalized (Ballwin, MO) 1990-91
Executive – Kirk of the Hills (St. Louis), 1992-2001
Interim – Arden (NC) Pres, 2001-03
Associate - Trinity Pres (Charlottesville, VA), 2003-05
Supply – Grace Pres (Rochester, NY), 2006-07
Numerous boards and committees
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
Nuclear Project/Construction/Managing Engineer, 1963-64 and 1967-73
U.S. Army Lieutenant 1964-66
EDUCATION
1963 bachelor in civil engineering, Cornell
1967 master in civil engineering, Carnegie-Melon
1971 master in business, Pittsburgh
1977 master in divinity, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
1990 doctorate in ministry, Westminster Seminary, North San Diego, Calif
CONNECTIONS TO FIRST PRES
Joe and Karen Clumpner while at Saint Louis church
Worked with Wilson Benton, previous pastor to Jerry Harwood
Drew Trotter while at Trinity Pres in Charlottesville
RECOMMENDATIONS
Joe Novenson, Harry Reeder, Wilson Benton
Joe Novenson - Mike’s experience as a seasoned pastor and his service in larger church contexts has wonderfully equipped him to serve in this capacity. Since being together in seminary, I have had the pleasure of witnessing the fruit of his ministry from afar. Now, I am thankful that we may have the honor of serving Jesus in the city of Chattanooga together. Mike is a friend and I commend him to you all with great zeal. Mike Preg is respected both within our denomination and within the church at large. He is known widely, in my opinion, as a relational administrator who cares for the people he leads in a Christ-like manner. I would love to have Mike as my pastor.
Harry Reeder - While I am not privy to any specifics that you are looking for I can in general endorse Mike’s candidacy with no hesitation for the following reasons…
1. His experience and track record as an interim
2. His ability and training in peace making
3. His ability and desire to prepare a church for the next pastor by addressing ministry, structural and relational issues with a gospel driven ministry.
4. His awareness and connections throughout the PCA
Wilson Benton - It is a pleasure to recommend Dr. S. Michael Preg, Jr. as a candidate for the Interim Pastor position at First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga. I have known Mike for over 25 years and count him as one of my best friends. Mike has enjoyed a long and successful ministry as an Associate Pastor, Executive Pastor, Senior Pastor and Interim Pastor. He served with me at the Kirk for nine years and it was a most enjoyable experience. I’ve never worked with anyone better than he. Mike has many gifts honed by years of education and training, and I learned much from him in our years of ministry together. He wrote his D.M. thesis on sermon preparation and I still implement many of his suggested practices. He is more than a capable preacher, but his greatest gifts lie in the area of pastoral counseling. I don’t mean that as a “position” but rather as a “ministry style.” Of course, he is an excellent counselor in the technical sense (with a degree in counseling) but my point is this: Mike is always counseling, whether in the pulpit or in the Sunday School classroom, or in a staff meeting (which he conducted at the Kirk) or in a session meeting, or wherever he might be. His natural gifts, augmented by PeaceMaker training, made him sought out for counsel and advice. Mike’s leadership ability has been recognized by those in the broader church. He served as chairman of the Planning Committee for the General Assembly when it last met in St. Louis, and has served several terms as Chairman of MTW. He has received accolades of praise from both Arden Presbyterian in Asheville, NC and Trinity Presbyterian in Charlottesville, VA for the outstanding job he did in guiding these congregations through some troubled waters, giving real structure to the Session and Diaconate in the process. I trust that you will give him every consideration for your Interim Pastor position.
Ken Sande, President, Peacemaker Ministries - I’ve known Mike Preg for several years and have consistently found him to be a man of integrity, discernment, and wisdom. He deeply grounded in Scripture, has excellent relational skills, and natural gifts for resolving conflict and promoting peace. I believe Mike would make an excellent interim pastor and would prepare your church to move into a new season of gospel-inspired ministry.
