At just 19 and 17 years old, Mick and Teresa Snider said “I do” to each other and to following God’s will for their lives.
Nine months after their wedding, Mick was assigned his first pastorate in Love, Co. Oklahoma, where he and Teresa served for over 14 years. Teresa shares of her husband, “He isn’t a preacher because of his granny who was a preacher in Henrietta or because his dad was a deacon or because he married a preacher’s daughter; he was truly called. We have gone through dark valleys and over high mountains, but nothing ever swayed his heart. He is a true leader.”
Mick and Teresa Snider soon after their wedding
Mick and Teresa grew up in families where there was not a lot of money. Mick’s dad was a teacher, and Teresa’s was a preacher, so they did not grow up in privilege. But their godly parents helped instill divine truths in their lives. They lived and modeled and practiced how to love God, people, and follow Jesus. Mick and Teresa continue to be humbled that God picked “two kids” and gave them the opportunities they had and continue to have.
Then, in 1982, they received the call to evangelize, which they continued to do full-time for 26 years.
“People across the nation had a deep appreciation for a couple of young kids who left everything,” the Sniders remember. They endeavored to bring people to salvation and did so by preaching Pentecostal Holiness sanctification and the Articles of Faith. They share, “We maintained the simplicity of the Gospel and reality of personal Pentecost. The truths were our foundation, and while how we shared these ideas changed over the years, what we taught never changed.”
As Evangelists, they traveled in a variety of ways and lived in many different places. Regardless of where they were, God gave constant joy, peace, and provision. Mick and Teresa lived and walked by faith. Throughout their travels, they never told a church “no” even if they could not pay. If the church wanted Mick and Teresa there, then they trusted God to make it happen. From coast to coast, churches and individuals raised money to help Mick and Teresa on their journey to share God’s Word. When they asked God for more, He said, “I’m going to take care of you, your family, and your ministry one dollar at a time.”
Throughout their ministry, the Sniders share that the most rewarding part is seeing someone born again. Whether a child or adult, “there is just nothing like seeing someone transform and surrender to God,” Mick says. Teresa shares how this was especially true for their own son. He came to her and said, “I want to be saved.” After growing up going to church all week, when he chose to want to serve God and marry a godly woman, it reminded Teresa how important their work is.
Other highlights of their ministry included healing. A pastor’s daughter, who had just been diagnosed with cancer, was also a young mother, and she did not want to do chemotherapy. While Mick preached one night, she began pouring out to the Lord for over two hours until she finally felt relief. “I’m claiming my healing,” she declared. When she refused treatment, her doctor cried and said, “If God really healed you, let’s do tests.” Those tests revealed that God had healed her.
Another woman suffered with amblyopia, a condition that made her unable to open her eye. By the end of the first service, her eye had begun to open. Halfway through the revival the eye was halfway open, and within 2-3 weeks, her eye was healed.
While there are not any official records of all who have been healed and sanctified, the Sniders know that God has kept His promise to them: “If we lifted Him up, He’d draw people to Him.”
Through their experiences, they hope others find comfort in God’s Word as they have. Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation through prayer and petition, present your requests to the Lord” and Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs” have been especially prophetic. God has provided everything they have ever needed. In each season of ministry, His Word was revealed in a different light and reminded them “Don’t worry. It’s okay.”
Teresa stresses, “Remember to be faithful to Him and His Word; He is faithful and dependable even when we are not. God rewards faithfulness, blesses hard work, and honors faith.”
Mick and Teresa Snider
It has been because of God’s grace the Sniders have been able to enjoy so much. Every congregation, every camp meeting, every person brought to Christ have been their own rewards. Mick and Teresa want to make sure that everyone can see what God can do, and they do not take their calling lightly or for granted.
“We have absolutely no regret surrendering our lives to Jesus early,” Mick declares. Not only have they served as pastors and evangelists, but Mick also served on the Eastern Oklahoma Board as Secretary and Treasurer for four years, Assistant Conference Superintendent for 12 years, and Evangelism Director for six years. Teresa served as the Conference WIN Director for 6 years as well.
Both have a heart for Christ, for the lost, and continue to be thrilled to evangelize and grow the Kingdom of God.
