| Mike Rakes | |
| Nationality: | American |
| Alma Mater: | Central Bible College Biola University Southeastern University (Florida) |
Mike Rakes is an American pastor, educator and academic administrator. He is the fifth and current president of Evangel University.[1] Rakes became Evangel's president in July 2021,[2] taking over responsibilities from George O. Wood, who was interim president after Carol Taylor retired in November 2020.[3]
Rakes graduated with a bachelor's degree in Pastoral Ministries from Central Bible College in 1985 and a master's degree in Biblical Literature from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in 1993. He received a Master of Divinity in 1997 and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2000 from Biola University.
Rakes started his career in higher education in 1993 as a faculty member at Southeastern University, an Assemblies of God institution, and became the school's vice president for student development in 2000.[4]
While serving as Pastor at Winston-Salem First Assembly of God,[5] Rakes established Bridges Christian College in 2011 and was president until 2015.[6]
Beginning in 2013, Rakes was on the board of trustees at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He resigned when he became a finalist for Evangel University president.
Rakes is married to Darla Rakes. The couple's daughter died in 2019 from a rare form of blood cancer.[7]