Who We Are

Mike Taylor – President

Mike’s passion is helping students see the call of God on their life for the Gospel. Mike has been an innovator in Student Ministry for over 28 years. Throughout his ministry, he has used his spiritual gifts to preach and teach students through his personal mission statement: “We exist to Reach unbelieving and uncommitted students to Grow and deepen them in their faith and to Send them out to impact their world for Jesus Christ.” Mike’s ability to lead has given him the reputation as one of the top youth pastors in the country. He has served as President of the Metro Youth Pastors Association on two occasions and has been a featured speaker with the Song of Solomon conferences, youth camps, and various student events. Mike and his wife, Kookie currently live in the United Kingdom in Stockton-on-Tees. They have four children: Thad, Shelby, Hannah, and Hayden.

Along with his responsibilities with UK-USA Ministries, Mike is also currently serving as the England Youth For Christ Director for the Tees Valley. Mike and his family have lived in the Northeast of England since September 2011.

Jim Hilbert- Board Member

Jim joins the UK-USA Ministries team with over 30 years of global experience and travel in the high-tech computer industry with a focus in sales and general management, and over 30 years of children and student ministry volunteering through his church Prestonwood Baptist in Plano, Texas.

Jim currently owns a cloud computing and social networking company delivering technology that improves and automates human process, collaboration and communication, much of which will be leveraged to reach students and families in this technology driven generation.  Jim has been involved in several successful church plants and student ministry organizations the past 30 years with his wife Cheryl and 3 sons Chase, Garrett and Pierce, who are all planning to help in the ministry as well.  As a successful sales and business entrepreneur his passion is to assist UK-USA Ministries in fundraising, organization both in the States and in the UK, partnering with local churches and partners to assist Mike and team on the ground in NE of the UK, in order to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in the schools with the ultimate goal of planting churches and leading others to Christ.  Jim is relationship oriented and strongly believes in doing ministry arm to arm and building relationships that are eternity focused, his desire is to get to the UK often and one day doing a season of life there with UK-USA Ministries on the ground.

John Wills- Board Member

John was one of the founders of UK-USA Ministries.  His passion for England started with a student mission trip to the Northeast of England in March, 2000.  He has led multiple vision trips for Pastors and Student Ministers across the country to explore the opportunity to do ministry in public schools all over England.  He currently serves at The Heights Church in Richardson, Texas as Executive Pastor.  He spent 20 years as a Student Pastor at Sagemont and Champion Forest in Houston, as well as Prestonwood in Plano, Texas.

John directed Song of Solomon Student and Parent Track Conferences for eight years with Hudson Productions.  He now does advocacy work on behalf of World Vision – a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.  He and his wife, Kelly, live in McKinney, Texas.

John Rhodes- Board Member

John was also one of the founders of UK-USA Ministries. He is the current Vice Principal of The Kings Academy in Middlesbrough, England. He has been on the faculty of The Kings Academy since its inception in 2003. He has served as a board member for the Tees Valley Youth for Christ. He has a passion for Football and serves as the Coach for The Kings Academy 6th Form Football Team. He and his wife, Claudine reside just outside of York, England.

Thaddaeus Taylor- Sports Ministry

Thaddaeus graduated from Liberty University in May of 2011 with a degree in Biblical Studies. In May of 2012 he received his Masters degree in Intercultural Studies from Liberty University. He played NCAA Division 1 soccer for the Liberty Men’s soccer team from 2007 through 2011 and participated in the NCAA Championships in 2007. Thad simply loves footy and the opportunity the game brings to connect with kids. Thaddaeus has worked for Kanakuk Kamps and has been involved in multiple sports mission trips in Guatemala, South Africa, Cyprus, and England. These opportunities have sparked the desire to unite sports with a passion to share Jesus Christ to young people all over the world.