Inspiring Story of the Month Featuring Mike Wall

From the Battlefield to the Mission Field

Mike Wall’s story is one of unexpected turns, divine appointments, and a God who does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. Raised in a Christian home, Mike accepted Jesus as his Savior at a young age. Like many teenagers, he had dreams of playing college sports, but a high school injury changed everything. What seemed like a disappointment at the time became a divine redirection that led him to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

After graduating, Mike began a distinguished military career as an Army Ranger, serving as both an Infantry officer and an Intelligence officer. His path included multiple combat deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa during the Global War on Terrorism. Along the way, Mike says he experienced God’s unmistakable protection time and again.

Later, a unique assignment brought him to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he developed communication and relational skills in the agency’s elite Human Intelligence training. “I realized over time that the same skill set I learned professionally could be applied in ministry,” Mike reflects. “Instead of recruiting people for information, I could recruit souls for Christ.”

After retiring from the Army in 2017, Mike moved into the defense industry, but something deeper began to stir. In his late forties, he longed for a more intimate relationship with Christ. That longing was answered in 2023 when Gary Steffes invited him to join a Pure Encouragement Journey Group. What followed was a transformational nine-month experience that not only deepened Mike’s faith but also equipped him to lead others. The following year, he was asked to co-guide a new Journey Group. What started as a step of faith became a turning point, shaping Mike’s walk with God in ways he never expected and igniting a passion to help others grow in their faith as well.

In 2024, God began opening doors that would shift the direction of Mike’s life. Feeling called to leave his defense career, he joined Vanguard XXI, a leadership development and professional coaching organization. At the same time, a long-held dream became reality when he joined Samaritan’s Purse as part of their international Disaster Assistance Response Team.

“Even back in my Army days, I admired the global work Samaritan’s Purse was doing and their commitment to the Gospel,” Mike said. “Being part of both Vanguard XXI and Samaritan’s Purse is a clear reminder that God is good and His plans are perfect.”
Reflecting on this season of alignment between passion and purpose, Mike shares, “My Journey experience taught me what it truly means to abide in Christ. I learned so much from other brothers in Christ who modeled what it looks like to continually seek God. That’s what changed everything for me. 

Now, maintaining a close relationship with Christ and expanding His Kingdom frames how I approach everything.”With gratitude and awe, Mike points to the promise of John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”