Birth date: May 17, 1955 Death date: Jan 7, 2021
Michael Edward Long was welcomed home, into the arms of his Jesus, Thursday, January 7, 2021. In his own words, this is not a goodbye, just a see you later! Born May 17, 1955 in Riverside, California, he spent a few formative year Read Obituary
Mike loved his ministry and was especially proud of his time with Twin Lake UMC. I can tell you he felt very - we felt very loved and appreciated.
Here's the link to the church's YouTube channel.
I hope someone will lean, grow and find Jesus.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSqCCVUvT4DjVbNr0FQqg5A/videos
He was and is the love of my life.
I knew & was friends with Mike since 1st grade at a little country school in Eaton Rapids. We had a lot of "misadventures" together in our teenage years, but when Mike surrendered his life to the Lord we pretty much parted ways. I know that he prayed for me a lot, & once shared with me how I could know Christ. He could tell that I didn't want to hear about Jesus, & confided with me much later that he felt that maybe he had made a mistake & driven me away. But the truth is, God used his witness to make me miserable enough to finally listen to someone else just a few months later. To a great extent, I owe my eternal life to his willingness to take a huge risk to obey the Holy Spirit's prompting to share Christ with a hard-headed & rebellious knucklehead like me. See you in the morning, Bro, & thanks a million!
I was stunned today to learn of Mike’s passing from this earth to his Heavenly home. I worked closely with Mike every week at Peninsula Bible Church planning music for several weeks at a time. I have known many professional musicians in my life, but none smarter than, or better than Mike Long. I didn’t doubt for a second that he could teach a stick to sing. His work with our Worship Team at PBC was nothing short of a miracle.
While his love of music was great His love for the Lord was greater, and now he rests in His arms, and sits at the feet of Jesus! Our loss is Heaven’s gain. And now the sounds of Heaven are greater than ever! My love and prayers to Jeanne and family.
Cassandra Douglass
Just learned of Mike's home going. You have my sympathy and thoughts
He was a musical blessing to us at PBC. I am comforted by Phil's last words at time of his passing, A new me, a new me" . I am sure he had a glimpse of his new heavenly body and now he and Mike are praising in song up there together. Great guy!!
I used to travel with Mike, Deb and Jodi Slayton and accompany them as they gave many concerts all over. Always enjoyed my time on the piano with them. I miss those times. My thoughts are with the family and I know Mike is up in heaven singing.
I too had the privilege of serving with Pastor Mike on Walk #47 (Oct. 2019) and then later on the WMEC Emmaus Board. I knew who he was for many years but this was the first time I got to work with him and know him better. I found him witty with an easy going nature and a great sense of humor. But, he was also a great teacher as well as a wonderful musician. We will miss him greatly….but, I can just “see” him having such a wonderful time singing praises to God with all the other great Christian musicians that have gone on before! Praying peace and comfort for his family and his church who miss him the most.
Mr Mike Long and his guitar hold significant places in my memories. I was one of those 300+ campers at creative arts camp in Pentwater who sang Father Abraham. His witness and music were important and I am honored to have known him. I’m sorry for your loss, but so happy the Mike has found himself in the arms of Jesus. “Well done my good and faithful servant!”
It was definitely an honor to serve with Mike on WMEC Women's Walk 47. As the lone male spiritual director he took a lot of teasing from the women in stride, but his spirtual leadership and musical talent were so needed and valued during that weekend. Mike thank you for sharing all with us, you inspired us with who you are and your obvious love for our Lord. You will be missed. God loves you and so do I
Loraine Zielinski
Brother Mike, I never heard you say a grumbling word! I will always hear you singing and see you strumming the guitar. And I’ll forever cherish our last hug, shared as we found each other after a memorial celebration of another dear one in TC...one of your infamous bear hugs. I’m so glad I got to walk a few miles on earth with you. See you later - I’ll recognize your voice in heaven ❤️
