Michelle Bushrod joined the military right out of high school, but after medically retiring in Alaska, she and her husband moved back to Fayetteville, NC. Michelle went through the Growth Track, which resulted in her leading a small group, then becoming the Small Group Director at Manna Church Raeford Site. Eventually she came on staff as the Multi-Site Admin, but she now serves as the Manna Kids Director. In 2024, Michelle was at the Multiply Conference, where she says she, “heard the Lord clearly tell me it was time to become a student at Manna University.”
Taking college classes can be an intimidating endeavor, but Michelle shared that she felt supported the whole way, saying, “I knew the staff and faculty would be supportive, but I didn’t realize how much. My professors have been incredible, and the entire faculty truly reflects Christ in how they love and lead.”
"...I want to protect and cherish God’s Word..."
Michelle also shared that classes have shaped how she sees the Bible and Christian counseling in a way that has challenged her and grown her faith, saying, “One thing that will always stay with me is how I now see the Bible as fragile—not in the sense that it could break, but in how I want to protect and cherish God’s Word in my heart because it’s so precious. And learning about the importance of Christian counseling completely opened my eyes and deepened my faith.” In essence, Michelle has not just been equipped to be a better leader and servant in the context of her local church, but also to grow as a Christ follower through her coursework at Manna University.