We are honored to announce Michael Kelley as the new Executive Director for the Rooted Network. Michael brings extensive experience as a publishing executive, church leader, and author, and is well-positioned to lead the Rooted Network in its mission to help churches create life-changing discipleship experiences.
Michael earned a Masters of Divinity degree from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL, and is currently pursuing his PhD at Midwestern Theological Seminary. He has served on the staff of churches in Texas and Tennessee and spent 15 years in various roles with Lifeway Christian Resources, including Senior Vice President of Church Resources. Most recently, he served as the Executive Director of the Nashville Baptist Association.
He is the author of several books including The Whole Story for the Whole Family: A Year of Jesus-Centered Family Devotions; Growing Down: Unlearning the Patterns of Adulthood that Keep Us from Jesus; Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal: A Boy, Cancer, and God; and Boring: Finding an Extraordinary God in an Ordinary Life. He is also the co-author of Transformational Discipleship: How People Really Grow with Eric Geiger and Philip Nation.
Earl Roberson, COO at Mariners Church in Irvine CA, served as the Rooted Network’s Executive Director for more than two years, and provided strategic direction for an organization that has more than doubled in size. Earl, who previously served as a senior leader at Student Life, Inc. and Lifeway Christian Resources, has been involved in Christian publishing for more than two decades. He and Michael look forward to serving together again and ensuring that the Rooted Network equips churches in their discipleship strategies.
Michael’s appointment as Executive Director is an important step forward for the Rooted Network. With his deep knowledge and love for the Church, Michael is poised to provide strategic leadership and day-to-day guidance for the Rooted Network’s experienced team of professionals.
In his new role, Michael will lead Rooted Network in expanding its collection of discipleship resources, including the Rooted experience, the Deep Dive series, On the Table: Questions Confronting the Christian Faith, from Eric Geiger, Ed Stetzer, and Steve Bang Lee, the upcoming Flourishing study, from Christine Caine, and other studies built on the 7 rhythms of a disciple and experiential learning. This move comes at a time of exciting growth for the Rooted Network, and we pray Michael's leadership will ensure that Rooted continues on its upward trajectory.
We ask you to pray for Michael as he steps into this important kingdom work; our team will continue praying for you in your important kingdom work.