Help Support Pastor Mike Channing & His Family

Update:

On September 19, Pastor Mike Channing lost his battle with metastatic melanoma. He was truly an  incredible man and a positive light for Cornerstone Church where he served as Pastor, his family, and to the many people who felt like they were Mike’s best friend!! More than 350 people attended his funeral to celebrate the impact he had on their lives. Now as his sweet and strong wife Crystal Channing grieves the loss of her husband while supporting their three teens, she is also left with a difficult financial reality. 

Due to an unfortunate oversight and misunderstanding, Mike did not have life insurance. His cancer diagnosis came in January 2024 and included numerous lengthy hospital stays, medical treatments, and for his last few days, hospice in home. In addition to the cost associated with this, the funeral itself leaves his family with a $15,000 bill without life insurance assistance. Not to add, both family vehicles broke down in the very recent past as well, which required an updated vehicle from Mike which he only ended up being able to drive for two weeks. 

Crystal is now a single mom who drives a very long distance to get to her job as an L&D nurse a few times per week. The very last thing she should have to worry about is the cost of this funeral and medical expenses- we all know that just the normal expenses these days are hard enough to deal with as they are, and now in a single income household amidst so much grief.  

Crystal has more faith and strength than I can even begin to imagine and puts her trust in God, but I have to think that some of that support and provision can come from the vast community of people whose life was touched by Mike. Thank you for reading. 

Let’s keep “fighting like Mike” to take care of this family! How you can help: Spread the word via gofundme 

Venmo Crystal directly to avoid charges, tax, and tips: @crystalchanning (9848 to verify, if needed) 

Buy a "Fight Like Mike" hat for $25 through the lovely Liz Brooks-Peterson or at Bizzy Bean - "Coffee To Go" and proceeds go to Mike's family. Of course keep this family in your thoughts & prayers as well! Thank you!

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On January 10, our Pastor and friend, Michael Channing was given the devastating news that he has Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. This cancer gave little warning, and in fact, they still don’t know where it started. Subsequent scans have revealed the cancer has spread to his blood, abdomen, liver, kidneys, thyroid, chest walls, lungs, shoulder, lymph nodes, bones and his brain. There is no cure by man for this kind of cancer and it is not the kind that goes into remission. Treatment for this type of cancer is to try and shrink it to give longer life through new and targeted treatments of immunotherapy and some radiation.

Our Pastor Mike is 54 years old, has a beautiful wife of 23 years named Crystal, and 3 children: Caitlin (18), Claire (16) and Caleb (14). He/they has been pastoring Cornerstone Church in New Richmond, Wisconsin for 9 years. Pastor Mike has always been healthy and strong and has been very involved with the New Richmond schools and community while pastoring Cornerstone Church. He is a loving husband and father, a loyal friend to many, a faithful minister of the Gospel, and just an incredibly fun, creative and upbeat guy! As you might guess, we love our pastor!

Pastor Mike has already undergone radiation treatments for the tumors in his brain as well as immunotherapy. Unfortunately, reactions to some of these treatments have caused intense pain, increased the impairment of his memory and multitasking functions as well as extreme fatigue. These side-effects and treatments have greatly impacted the daily life of Pastor Mike and his family. As a pastor, Mike wants to serve the Lord as much as possible but now is unable to preach sermons and conduct many of his usual duties. He has also lost his second job driving students for the school.

This news has been extremely heartbreaking and stressful on the Channing family, and they are facing many difficult financial and other challenges. Despite all this, they (nor we) have not given up hope for a miracle from God as we believe that nothing is impossible for God! The Channing family’s strength and faith have been remarkable, but they need our support.

Many in the community have been impacted by the Channing Family in one way or another. We are asking anyone who is able to help support this wonderful family financially to help cover the exorbitant medical expenses they are facing and will continue to face, and to support Pastor Mike and his family with daily living expenses while they navigate this difficult time. This will allow Pastor Mike & Crystal to focus on his treatment and family. Any amount you are willing to contribute is so greatly appreciated, and if you aren’t able to contribute money at this time, a share with your friends and family would mean the world to us! And please keep them in your prayers.

Thank you all for your kindness, love, generosity, and support!

Link to CaringBridge: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikechanning?fbclid=IwAR1-xEEnCZKCTMPVAJqEKf2O5REEyKO5d93fIU2AbFutO27DKJAHV-Zn9-U_aem_AR49xgEcQ8IlrHYTpzJSl0dwcemzy9Ctf1uPvpK0dwFz-E2AL5cY8iNR65_C3HOxOHw