Mike Cannon was born in Wisconsin, where he and his four siblings were raised in the Mormon faith by loving parents in a caring, close-knit community. At the age of nineteen, Mike, like many Mormon young men, became a Missionary and traveled to Brazil. Mike loved his time in Brazil.
“I learned about different cultures, learned to speak Portuguese, but most of all, I learned to focus my attention outward, to care for people other than myself,” Mike said. “That was a very important lesson for me to learn at that age.”
Mike moved to Atlanta in 1996 and later joined Shallowford in 2016. “It was hard to leave the Mormon Church,” Mike said. “But I decided I needed to find a Church whose values were more inclusive and affirming for my family and my sons, Jacob and Matthew.”
What Mike loves about Shallowford is knowing that his family is accepted and not judged, and the many opportunities to serve. He is an Epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and works in the Division of Diabetes Prevention. Mike played a vital role on the Shallowford’s COVID-19 Task Force during the pandemic.
“Shallowford makes a valuable investment in our community, and I want to give back,” Mike shared.
“I have been able to participate in leadership positions such as teaching Sunday School, serving on the Session, and various committees. I have volunteered as a Chaperone on youth trips, including the annual youth choir trip, which has meant a lot to Jacob and Matthew. My wife, Florence, has been involved in many volunteer opportunities as well.”
Thank you, Shallowford, for your generosity. Because of the faithful giving of our members, the
church is able to offer a wide range of Sunday School classes and meaningful opportunities for members, like Mike and his family, to volunteer and fully participate in our community. Thank you for all the ways you live out our mission to invite all people to a faithful way of life in Christ and community.
