MKE Press Release – Life Changes and Fulfillment of Vision

Press Release
Summit Church Alaska, 3340 Badger Rd, North Pole 99705
Stefanie Powell, Summit Media

Here’s the transcript of the special interview from the service this week: Pastor Phillip Wyman has a conversation with church member Mike Sambuco, while sitting in chairs on the platform in front of the congregation.

Pastor Phil: There’s been some big changes in your life recently, would share with us what’s been happening?

Mike: Well, as you know, we’ve been outside traveling lately. Terri and I just got back from a wonderful vacation trip to Italy. We’ve wanted to spend time there for years, and it did not disappoint! We spent a month there, and tried to do it right.

Pastor Phil: Tell us more… Where did you go, and what did you do and see?

Mike: We may be here for a while, since we traveled to all the provinces and visited many cities. And I know we don’t have that much time, so I’ll share some highlights. First off we started with Rome, and saw the Sistine Chapel, St Peters basilica, Vatican City, and all the rest of the iconic sites around Rome, like the Colosseum. It’s quite a lot to take in. Beautiful artwork, and it’s pretty amazing that there’s so many old ruins and sites from so long ago still standing and set up for tourist visits. If you ever have the opportunity, I’d recommend the experience. It’s quite a contrast from Alaska. From there we headed South, enjoyed Naples, and then toured around Sicily, which was quite pleasant, especially around Palermo. Also temporarily left Italy and hopped over to Malta for a couple days, since we were so close. There I got to connect with several other amateur radio operators I’ve talked to recently. We had some seafood scampi there that was to die for.

We then worked our way back up and around the far coast, eventually arriving in Venice, where we got to meet my friend Simone, who I often talk to on my radio. He graciously took us out on his boat, and we caught some Alaskan-sized fish, which we later ate for dinner… they were delicious. It’s interesting seeing things in person instead of in a movie. Everyone has probably seen the canals when watching a Bond movie, but it’s just not the same… it’s WAY better in person in a gondola! What an experience. Then we worked our way up into the Alps, and enjoyed some time in the mountains, getting to experience some amazing views. We made our way around to Milan, Torino, Genova, and since we were so close, also went to Monaco for a couple of days. In Florence we saw Da Vinci’s Last Supper. The pictures I’s seen, don’t do it justice. We also visited the islands of Capri, Corsica, and Sardinia. There is so much history and culture there, so different from what we’re used to, living here in Alaska. The people were typically very friendly and welcoming. The only regrets while there were not being able to see the Shroud of Turin in person, and dealing with some of the crazy traffic. (We haven’t experienced traffic circles here. They are an entirely different beast in cities over there!)

Pastor Phil: Now, there’s a back story to how you could take a trip like that. How about sharing that?

Mike: Certainly. I’m not sure how many of you know, but a while back, I made some rather large changes to our life. You know, pastor, but others may not realize that I wanted to move ahead, but was “stuck” for a season of a few years. (Some of you may remember our previous interview, where I talked about my flesh being grilled… like a steak, where God is the cook who decides when I’m done?) Finally, I found the Master Key to unlocking my internal log jam, and I was able to step into some things which provided much more financial and time liberty than I had previously while working on the job. So now, I’m a full time entrepreneur, earning over five times more money, and working less hours due to automation I’ve put into place, and adding multiple streams of income.

Pastor Phil: I was really excited to finally see you progress after us praying and talking about it for so long!

Mike: You and me, both. For a while it felt like I was in my own version of “Groundhog Day.” But, it was a season of trusting God in the desert, seeking, and eventually finding. I was one frustrated hombre for a while, but God had a plan, and used it. “All things work for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes.” It’s true!

Pastor Phil: Tell us, what does being an entrepreneur look like for you?

Mike: First off, I applied myself to my Melaleuca business, helping others discover safer and healthier product alternatives, and some to also join me in earning money. I quickly rose through the ranks to become a Senior Director. That replaced my job income, and provided repeat monthly earnings from work that I did once. God’s word says that He will prosper what we put our hands to. I also pressed into affiliate marketing, which is helping to share other’s products and services for a portion of the profits. I concentrated on services and training that was recurring, subscription based, again capitalizing on doing work once, but then getting paid for years to come.

Pastor Phil: It’s been very encouraging watching your tithes and offerings grow this past year. I was excited when you showed some of that to me, knowing that we as a church can also benefit from some of the same strategies.

Mike: Yes, there’s potential to have a fund raiser continue to pay instead of just one time. Then, there’s always others needing to make a change like I did. I remember thinking back a few years ago, when we had Pastor Robert Kasozi from Uganda, and Pastor Canisius Gacura from Rwanda visit, that it would be great to be able to be a paymaster helping to fund their vision and grow their ministries. Now, I’m happy to say that has become a reality. What would the Kingdom of God’s reach be like, if we all were overflowing with abundance instead of living just over broke?

Pastor Phil: A little bird told me something else encouraging about you, recently. Do you also have some news about your music ministry?

Mike: Yes, that’s another exciting thing about buying back much of my time. I’ve been writing new songs, and am now in the process of writing a new book. I launched a website with training, and wrote the course materials, and am now doing some in person teaching, training, and activating in the body of Christ at large. I recently traveled to Homer and Portland to conduct “Heirs of Glory Worship Encounters.” It’s been great connecting with other believers. I was well received, and we had some memorable, transformational, life-changing time with the Lord. I am so happy to finally be released and fulfilling my purpose.

Pastor Phil: Now you have me curious… what does that look like?

Mike: It’s about intentional adoration and honoring our King, and removing the shackles we typically have surrounding our worship. I teach about breaking free of the traditions of man, the different forms and expressions of worship, the keys of David, the corporate anointing and influence, new sounds released into the earth from heaven, and more… Perhaps you’ll just have to invite me to do one here, to experience “the full meal deal…” Typically we start on Friday evening with a praise and worship session. Saturday during the day, continue with teaching and activating, intermingled with more worship, then another worship session Saturday evening. (If invited, may also carry through to Sunday service.) Depending on where they are as a church or group, I may go in solo and work with their worship team, or bring a full or partial team with me.

Pastor Phil: You’ve hooked me. (Let’s book that on the church calendar for next month.) I don’t know if everyone noticed, but two of the new songs we’ve been singing during our services here in recent weeks were written by Mike.

Mike: Sounds great! (I’ll connect to work out the details with you this week.) For years I wondered what it would be like for a songwriter to hear someone else sing a song they wrote. Now I’ve experienced it, and know how satisfying it is. I expect a few of you around me may have noticed me weeping the first time Pete and the team sang “Man After Your Heart.” It was quite moving for me, as it was a fulfillment of my vision that I’ve had in the background dormant for many years. I am grateful and thank God for now allowing me to be released and being used to advance His Kingdom!

Pastor Phil: Mike, so I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished so far, and am looking forward to what is yet to come! Thanks for sharing what God’s been doing with you.

Mike: Thank you for all of your support, and prayer to help me get through the hard place to finally make it here! I appreciate your leadership, and I’m looking forward to seeing your vision also come to pass! Thanks for bringing me up to share, today! Blessings!