Mike McCord

Mike McCord, our Founder, President, and Executive Director, has been involved in short term missions since he was in Middle School. His very first trip was to a church in Haysi, deep in the coalfields on the southwestern end of Virginia. In the years since that first trip he has participated in or lead trips to nine countries and 15 states with the total number of trips somewhere beyond 50. He has been in full time ministry since 2008 serving with two different mission agencies and as an Associate Pastor prior to starting Mission Element in 2017.

Since Mission Element was founded, Mike, his wife Sarah, and their growing family have traveled many miles leading trips around the US. In February of 2024 the Lord moved them to southwestern Virginia where they run the majority of their trips. Through the unmistakable, providential working of God, they make their home in Haysi. They are members of Bartlick Presbyterian Church (PCA) where Mike serves as a Ruling Elder. If you’re wondering, yes, it is the same church where Mike served on that very first trip all the way back in 1989.