The Rev. Michael D. Oakley was born and raised in suburban Cincinnati Ohio.  In June1975, he graduated from Texas Lutheran University, Seguin Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in History.  He graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus Ohio with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in June 1979.  He has served congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Ixonia Wisconsin, Carrollton Ohio and Valley City, (Medina Co.) Ohio.

On December 1, 2001, Oakley began work as the Northeast Region Family Engagement Coordinator for Ohio Family and Children First. With free weekends, he served as a frequent substitute worship leader and was making plans to serve a small congregation.  However, due to the 2003 state budget crisis, all five OFCF Regional Family Engagement Coordinator positions were eliminated on June 30, 2003.  Oakley then served as interim pastor of St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church of New Pittsburg [no “h”] (Wayne Co.) Ohio, July 2003 – February 2004.

Since March 1, 2004, the Rev. Oakley has been the Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Brook Park (Cuyahoga Co.) Ohio, www.rlcbp.com.

Oakley has a daughter, Rachel, who teaches art at West High School, Columbus, Ohio.  His son, Adam, is Network Administrator for Capital Technologies International/ CTI Biofuels, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Oakley lives in Brook Park.