In his early life Michael, lonely and afraid of people, lost interest in school and faith in himself. After dropping out of high school, Michael began an odyssey of loneliness, despair, and self-destruction that could only have been salvaged by God's healing intervention. In the summer of 1972, Michael began working in a fast food restaurant owned by his family. Shortly thereafter he moved to manage a second store in Homestead, Florida. Living in an unfamiliar town with no real friends, Michael soon developed an all too familiar lifestyle of work and party.

While attending a local church service with a girlfriend, Michael responded to an altar call. The pastor of that church, and his daughter (Michael's friend) then frequently visited Michael for bible study and prayer. He struggled to conceal his ongoing affair with alcohol and drugs, but accepted the Bible and the energy offered by the pastor.
Unfortunately, this relationship ended when the pastor and his daughter relocated to Maine. Michael's loneliness seemed even more painful after this brief period of growth.

Over the next ten years, Michael continued in destructive behavior of loneliness and desperation, frequently using drugs and alcohol, experiencing a long series of physical and emotional problems. A marriage to a very young employee ended in divorce, while the Homestead restaurant failed. Finally, after years of self-abuse, Michael decided that there must be more to life than what he was experiencing.

He began exploring a variety of cults and eastern religious philosophies before being stirred by the words of a radio evangelist. This simple message, along with an awakening to the joy of some recent Christian acquaintances, compelled Michael to begin attending services at a local church. He became convicted of a need to be free of his bondage to bad habits. Michael gave up cigarettes and drugs, and has remained free ever since. He also began developing an interest in helping other youth who were plagued by the challenges he had recently conquered.

While working in the original family restaurant in Miami, Michael met a youth minister from a nearby church. He was so impressed by the Spirit that pervaded the group, and the apparent conviction of the youth leader, that he became involved in this ministry. He soon found that the woman leading this group shared his love for youth and his vision for their salvation.