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 about us-bios
About Victor Michel
Victor Michel was born in Ensenada, Baja California Mexico. He has been a minister since receiving his call to the ministry at a youth camp in Baja California in 1969. He came to Southern Nazarene University in 1972 (at that time Bethany Nazarene College) where he received his theological education. Victor became the pastor of the first Hispanic Nazarene congregation and was involved in pioneering the evangelical ministry among the Hispanics in Oklahoma City for 32 years.
During this time, he was involved in various capacities with several Hispanic congregations from Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and Assemblies of God denominational affiliations. He also served as an Evangelist in the mountain range of eastern Mexico (La Oaxteca Potosina) in 1990 and 1991 where several churches were established. Victor served as a Social Worker for the State of Oklahoma for 14 years at Children’s Hospital, where he mainly served the Hispanic population. He has co-pastored Iglesia Cristiana in Oklahoma City alongside his wife, Liliana, which was the first bilingual congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma, for over 12 years.
He substitute taught in Carroll County, Arkansas and Oklahoma City schools and is an interpreter in a local school district and in the community when needed. He is now a Chaplain Intern in a hospital. Victor has a Bachelor's degree in Theology from Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University), a Master of Divinity degree from Phillips Theological Seminary, and is an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination.
About Liliana Gómez Michel
Born in Brooklyn, New York to Puerto Rican parents and having lived in Oklahoma for over 20 years (after also living in Massachusetts and Virginia), Lili Gómez-Michel has been an administrative assistant, school teacher, social worker and now a minister, not necessarily in that order and many times simultaneously. She accepted Christ in 1992 and has been actively and joyously pursuing spiritual growth ever since.
Lili has been co-pastoring Iglesia Cristiana (Discipulos de Cristo) in Oklahoma City alongside her husband, Victor, for over 12 years and is largely responsible for children’s and youth's Christian education there while participating in the praise and worship team, in addition to numerous other administrative responsibilities.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and Math Education from the University of Oklahoma and an Oklahoma teaching certificate in several subjects. She has a Master of Social Work degree with a specialty in administration and community planning, also from OU. On May 15, 2010 she earned another Master's Degree in Theological Studies from Phillip's Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK.
She joyfully teaches fourth grade in Oklahoma City.
Victor and Lili have three grown children, Jennie, Elizabeth, and Matthew; and three grandchildren, Dylan, Skye, and Maddox. Jennie has a BBA and is employed with U.S. Cellular; Elizabeth lives with her family in Florida; and Matthew has a degree in Science Education from his mother's alma mater, The University of Oklahoma (Go, Sooners!) and is teaching high school science and coaching soccer.
How Did They Get to Eureka Springs?
The Michels moved to Eureka Springs after visiting for over eight years every Memorial Day weekend with their Oklahoma City ministry and becoming acquainted with Richard and Wilma Keller. They also visited in the fall over the years during War Eagle weekend, marrying on October 16, 1997 in the outdoor chapel on the Keller’s Country Dorm property. They never dreamed they would one day live on the property where they married!
Through a miraculous and creative arrangement, the Michels purchased Keller’s Country Dorm and are now the stewards of this retreat center. In 2004 they changed the name to Shepherd's Inn Retreat Center to reflect the Spirit of ministry and God's presence in this place.
In 2007, they began a new phase of ministry, the self-service concept, where guests can save even more money by cooking and cleaning themselves. So far, this has been received with rave reviews, especially by youth groups, who love the opportunity to fellowship while serving each other in Christ!!
The Story of Keller's Country Dorm Resort
Find a need and fill it. That was the sage advice that Richard Keller followed after moving to Eureka Springs, Arkansas from Denver, Colorado in 1972.
The Great Passion Play had opened a few years before, in 1968, and was soon to become the most popular outdoor drama in America. However, many church groups complained that they could not afford to come and see it because of the high-priced hotels and motels in the area, so there was a real need waiting to be filled!
The beauty of the area and the friendliness of its people had captivated Richard and his parents during a trip through north Arkansas. They soon returned and decided to buy the 33-acre plot owned by Andy the candy man right on major Highway 62 just minutes from the Play. They knew Eureka was fast becoming a very popular destination and would soon need more tourist motel and restaurant facilities, but Richard decided to get involved in the community before determining which way to proceed.
So that first summer he sold real estate at Holiday Island, made a new map of the city for the Chamber of Commerce, joined the Carroll County Chorale and Virginia Tyler's popular Hiking and sing-along Ukulele Clubs, and played Pontius Pilate and other roles in the Passion Play, while becoming very familiar with the town, its people, and its needs.
By the end of the summer season, he realized that he could uniquely fill the need of the church groups for economical lodging by rebuilding two large abandoned sheds on the property into dormitories, and decided he could be of even greater value to the groups by offering a low-priced PACKAGE which included not only their lodging, but also their meals AND tickets to the Passion Play AND taxes.
He called it Keller's Country Dorm Resort for Groups, and the concept was an immediate hit! As Passion Play attendance soared, so did the resort's, and Keller soon added a third dorm (for a new total of 160 beds), a swimming pool, volleyball court, outdoor chapel, and a paved basketball court, and began personally greeting and taking pictures of each group so that they could take home something special to remember their trip. With the seasonal help of his parents and daughters and of many local people over the years, Richard consistently sold more tickets to the Passion Play (which he heavily advertised and which were included in his popular packages) than any other local business!
After his marriage (following 30 single years) to Wilma in October,1999, many improvements, including dining room enhancements, a new campground, indoor chapel, and two new manufactured homes for small groups were added. However, in 2004, Richard, at age 75, and Wilma decided it was time to retire for their remaining years. They now have a delightful home on a wooded hill overlooking Berryville, AR, the county-seat village just five miles east of the resort.
Click on the links below for news stories published in the Carroll County News:
http://www.carrollconews.com/story/1387454.html
http://www.carrollconews.com/story/1389689.html
http://www.carrollconews.com/story/1390664.html
If you have any questions, comments, or desire additional information, please email us at SIretreat@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest!
or call 479-253-8418 | |
www.sirc4christ.org
