Pastor Cal graduated from Howell High School in 1963 and attended Michigan State University where he graduated in 1968 with a degree in Engineering. Following his graduation he moved to the Petoskey/Charlevoix, Michigan area where he designed and built homes until 1973. He then then moved from blue collar work into white collar work when he accepted a position as a sales manager for Adidas. His area of responsibility covered a 20 state area but focusing primarily on the state of Michigan. Pastor Cal stayed with Adidas until 1984 when he accepted God's call and returned to school at Indiana Wesleyan University majoring in Christian Ministry. He graduated in 1996 and began his ministry career here at Northgate. He later returned to Indiana Wesleyan University to complete his Masters of Ministry. |  |
| Here are some interesting facts about Pastor Cal. |
Birthday: | 07/31/1945 | Nickname: | Cal |
Anniversary: | 09/06/1968 | GrandKids: | David C. White (aka Jake) |
Elijah C. White (aka Hawken) | |||
Kids: | Shalin & Dave White | Ethan Emerson | |
| Brad & Sarah Emerson | Lily Jane Emerson | ||
John & Brooke Emerson | |||
Favorites | |||
Restaurant: | Applebee's | Desert: | Chocolate cake with Chocolate |
| or Caramel Frosting & | |||
| Meal: | Pancakes, Beef Roast, | Pumpkin Pie | |
| Mexican | |||
| Color: | Red | ||
| Snack: | Cappuccino, Oranges, | ||
| Chocolate Chip Cookies | Sport: | Golf, Football & Soccer | |
Pastor Cal enjoys relaxing by working with his hands on carpentry projects, yardwork, golf, & walking. |
His most embarrassing moment was just after he became a Christian, the church asked had asked him if his son Brad could play the part of "baby Jesus" during the Christmas morning service. Agreeing, he wrapped his two month old Brad in a large white towell and right across the front in raised letters was the name Holiday Inn. Having made this revelation in public, he apologized to the motel and made full restitution and has never been the same since. His integrety in Christ has shown through ever since. |
Pastor Cal's "Philosophy of Ministry" is really quite simple. He says: "There are two things I feel God has called me to do in the ministry. The first is to make God's word exciting, simple & clear through stories, humor & examples. The second is to help people see the joy in walking with the Lord. It is not a burden to be a Christian---it is just plain fun." |
| Pastor Cal's vision is for Northgate to become a community of believers so radical that everyone takes notice because: |
We are totally devoted to God and His purpose. |
| The people love each other and pray, cry & laugh together. |
| It's a place where people can take off their masks and share their lives. |
Finally, there's one little quirk that Pastor Cal has. Before he begins to preach his hands are ice cold because he's just a little fearful, so please, be very gentle with our pastor. |
