Mikel Flanders is driven by a passon to make healthy disciples and his role as a father. He is the Architect of the Abel Project; his journey from exhaustion to brokenness and back again, inspired the creation of the Abel Project.

In traditional ministry, Mikel's impact is tangible. He was recognized as a finalist for National Youth Pastor of the Year, overseeing a student ministry that grew nearly 250% in his early years. His contribution to a church plant led to it's recognition as one of the fastest-growing plants in St. Louis. He brings over two decades of faithful service in the areas of Connections, Groups, Student Minsitry, and Assoicate roles across Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

Beyond the confines of traditional ministry, Mikel has excelled on a broader stage as a speaker and trainer. As a Regional Manager and Trainer for Dale Carnegie, he earned accolades and played a pivotal role in introducing the renowned program to teenagers and was Trainer of the year twice. His expertise as a speaker and diversity trainer at Monster.com allowed him to reached over 100,000 individuals, earning him the distinction of Newcomer of the Year. He is also a certified Speaker, Trainer and Coach for Maxwell Leadership and has collaborated with esteemed brands like Enterprise Rent-a-Car, The Federal Reserve Bank, Bank of America, Charter Communications, and Energizer Batteries.

At the helm of the Abel Project, Mikel is challenged to focus on stewardship and maximizing impact. He considers it both a humbling honor and a profound responsibility to lead and drive the vision and mission of Abel.