There's no place like home! There's no place in the world like home. Did you know that I am originally from Charleston, SC? I was born in Charleston. I lived there in the 60's and early 70's. It was a lot of fun. I remember on of my favorite things to do was to race cars with my playmates. However, our cars were simply old, discarded car tires that we found in the alleys. So we would race, rolling those car tires down the sidewalks as fast as we could - trying our best to keep them from rolling into the street or into someone's fence. Those were the days... when pickled pigfeet were a major industry at the corner store. And you could always find someone frying fish or steaming crabs or oysters. It was a simpler time. The neighborhood came together to raise the children. I remember one day I did something dangerously wrong (and I'll leave it at that) and "Mr. Chris" who was the owner of the corner store saw me. Well, he ran out of his store, called me over to him, took off his belt and wore me out. Then when my mom got home he told her and she wore me out some more. Of course, when my dad got home he heard it from my mom and... you guessed it... he wore me out, too. Yes, the entire neighborhood raised the children.

At the age of 10 we moved to a small town outside of Charleston called "Cainhoy." This was my father's hometown. I graduated from Cainhoy High School. "Go Tigers!" I learned to play the organ and began my musical journey. I played at all of the churches in the surrounding area, directed several choirs, started a couple of groups, and even had the pleasure of playing for my high school's Gospel Choir.

My mother was a pioneer. She was one of the very first black women to declare her call to ministry. She was the founder of Cainhoy Miracle Revival Center - which eventually grew into Miracle Revival Centers, Incorporated - a body of more than 15 churches. She was ordained to the office of Apostle on July 1st, 1973.

For my first promotional trip I had the privilege of going back home. It was so amazing to hang out in Charleston, Eutawville and Beaufort, South Carolina; places where my mother preached many sermons and ran many revivals. The reception was so wonderful. I had the opportunity to preach, sing, do a radio interview (thanks LJ and Bryant) and Sharon (my wife) and I even got to record a commercial with Bryant for one of their corporate customers.

My greatest memory from the SC trip was this... I taped the radio interview at about 11:00 Monday morning. It aired at about 2:00 PM. I called some of my friends and relatives so that they could tune it. To close out the interview, the station gave away one of my CDs. After the giveaway, they were playing another artists song. Then the announcer cut into the song with one of my cousins on the line - she's in her 70's. My cousin was just raving about how proud she was that her "little Mike" grew up and was doing something good for God. I was nearly in tears hearing her delight. It never crossed my mind that my seniors - the people that labored over my childishness and helped me get where I am today - would be so blessed by my accomplishment.

So, to my cousin Rosa and to all that helped me get to where I am today - I thank you. I wouldn't be who I am today without you. My mom and dad have already crossed over. But in you I feel their delight.