Michael started in chaplaincy as a volunteer in the Royal Victoria Hospital in 2014. After four years, he was appointed as bank chaplain for the Methodist and Others in Knockbracken Healthcare Park. This sparked his interest in mental health chaplaincy. He then moved to be the Protestant generic chaplain at the Adult Mental Health Inpatient Centre at Belfast City Hospital. He is also the chaplain for the Beechcroft Unit (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service).
Michael has served as Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Healthcare Chaplains Association Research Network since 2018, and was recently appointed as Vice President of the NIHCA. He is keenly aware of the positive impact that being research informed can have on practice, and hopes to help fellow chaplains become research literate. His own research interests include Spiritual/Religious Care and Dementia, Chaplaincy Involvement in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and the Occurrence of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations (AVH) in Patients Receiving Psychiatric Care.
Michael has worshipped at Crescent Church, Belfast for ten years. He is very involved in pastoral and outreach ministries. He is married to Sophie and has two daughters, Betsy and Bonnie, both of who he adores.