At the 2024 Synod of the Sun Spring Assembly, the Commissioners unanimously voted to take the recommendation of the Synod Leader/Stated Clerk Search Committee and selected Rev. Michell Miller as the new Synod Leader/Stated Clerk. Mitch has previously served the Synod as Moderator in 2020 and Coordinating Team Chair in 2021 and 2022.
Mitch was born in Norman, OK, but grew up on a dairy farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Growing up in the church, his earliest memories revolve around the church leading to his role as Donegal Presbytery Youth Observer to Synod of the Trinity’s annual meeting in 1984 and YAD to the PCUSA General Assembly in 1985.
At this time, Mitch became involved in Presbytery and Synod committee work. He earned his BS in Education/History from Millersville University in 1987, and His MDiv from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia in 1995. Ordained as a Ruling Elder for Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church, Quarryville, PA in 1987, he later served as the Youth Director of First PC, Strasburg, PA. Ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament in June, 1995, Mitch served as pastor to Falling Waters PC, Hedgesville, WV and Fallston PC, Fallston, MD before answering his latest call to Santa Fe PC in Edmond, OK in 2009.
Mitch has served on a number of synod and presbytery committees since his ordination in 1987, including areas of Christian Education, Youth Ministry, New Church Development, Congregational Support, and most recently, COM. He has served on both the Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Foundation and the Indian Nations Presbytery Foundation boards. In addition to serving as Synod Moderator and CT Chair, Mitch served as the INP Commissioner to the Synod of the Sun (2017-2022).
Mitch is an experienced small group, workshop, worship, and retreat leader, and is a certified Spiritual Director. Mitch and his wife Leigh have been married since 1995 and have two grown children, Nathan and Emma. He enjoys history, story-telling, folklore, whittling, balloon twisting and the majesty of the great outdoors.
Giving thanks to God for the work of the Search Team and for calling Mitch to this ministry, the Synod of the Sun looks forward to new and continuing ministry and mission.