Reason #6: At all times, he radiates the love of Christ.

You can just see it on his face.  His emotions, his heart, his beliefs and values are all worn on his sleeves.  He hides nothing, his life is an open book.  Publicly on display for all to see.  All the time.

As one member said, "He remains sooo calm when UK whips Louisville".

There are many things in this world that can get people excited and Mike enjoys many of them.  The fact that he doesn't get shaken by the results of any game no matter who is playing is a good reason to love our pastor.

Personally, I love it when when people try to shake the unshakable..  the love of Christ.

An unshakable foundation is something to build on for the top five reasons still to come.

Reason #7: He married Lisa

Lisa Dorris married Mike Brady, and raised a beautiful family that was willing to sacrifice a wonderful life to move to Lexington when her husband was called.

This sacrifice represented a very special quality that we love about our pastor.

"He never tries to put himself above the rest of us"

Many times, it has been said that behind every great man, there is a great woman.  In Mike's case, that great woman had the help of three great daughters in the forming of the pastor we love.

Reason #8: He has never ceased being a Student

Most pastors pursue a degree from a religious organization of some kind when they are called to the ministry.  That is a very sound and reasonable path for some, but not our curious and creative pastor.

At first glance, you might think Mike Brady is a very simple man from a rural part of the country because of his Western Kentucky slang and twang.  As you get to know him, you learn that his depth of knowledge and understanding comes from his desire to be a student that learns from a master.

• When Mike looks to study history, he looks to a professor or a book or a college or a veteran or a public servant.
• When Mike looks to study God, he looks to God and to writers and speakers that inspire us to look to God in prayer.

A personal and prayerful relationship with the Father and a knowledge of history are a powerful combination.  We love that about our pastor.

Reason #9: He calls himself a sheep dog

Mike knows the heart of the Father and the voice of the Shepherd.

He does not let his status as a brother get in the way of his calling to gather the sheep and keep them moving all in the direction of the Shepherd's choosing.  His brotherly relationship with the sheep and the shepherd is a much stronger motivator than his bark or his bite.

He is rarely tired and possesses the capacity to sheep dog other sheep dogs in a similar manner as he sheep dogs the sheep.