Dr. Mick Boersma was a man who loved greatly and who was greatly loved by all. Mick was born on September 2, 1948, and passed into glory to be with Jesus, his Savior, on November 13, 2025. He loved his Lord Jesus, his family and his many students from Talbot School of Theology. Mick is survived by his bride of 52 years, Rolane, and his two daughters, Cara Hill (husband Bryan and children Ethan and Austin), and Riva Lee (husband Will and children Mikayla, Tyler, and Lynnea). He loved his family immensely and was proud of them; he publicly spoke of them frequently.

Mick attended Talbot Seminary from 1970-1974 and worked as a youth pastor in two churches during this time. After graduation, he pastored at Country Bible Church in Ehumclaw, WA from 1974-1985. Mick and Rolane later returned to Southern California in 1985 where Mick started teaching as an adjunct professor at Talbot while entering the Ph.D. program. Mick served at Talbot as a full-time faculty member in the Christian Ministry & Leadership department from 1986 to his retirement in 2020. He directed the Field Education classes, oversaw the Talbot Placement Center, and served as Chaplain for the Talbot chapels each week. He also co-authored Moving On, Moving Forward with Dr. Michael Anthony and two books, Associate Staff Ministry and Supervising and Supporting Ministry Staff with Dr. Kevin Lawson.

One of Mick and Rolane’s key ministries was the Talbot Support Ministries, which started in 1991. Through this important ministry, Mick corresponded with hundreds of alumni through a newsletter, phone calls, visitation throughout the country, sharing wisdom and insight gleaned from his many years of ministry experience. This was the primary ministry that connected all of our alumni to Talbot. Many alumni attest to Mick’s encouragement and support during their lowest points in ministry. Hundreds thank God for this dedicated ministry of Mick and Rolane. In addition to this ministry, Mick was active at his local church and taught Sunday school at EV Free Fullerton for 22 years — sometimes even playing his trombone during class worship time.

Mick clearly loved his students at Talbot as well. Known for his warm smile and endearing hugs, everyone knew and loved Mick. He always knew all of his students’ names, even alumni from years back. He rightly deserved the title “pastor to the pastors.” Mick would always leave his office door open as an open invitation for anyone to stop in for a chat. This was an important lesson that I learned from Mick and practice today as a professor. In addition, Mick would often host his classes in his house and thereby pass on truths about the pastor’s home. He was always available to counsel, encourage and support all his students, past or presen,t who needed help.

To me, Mick was a dear friend and mentor in so many ways. He counseled me as a single man in seminary, and then later as a married professor. He helped me and supported me as a pastor, especially during the challenging seasons of my ministry. I learned so much from Mick over the years. His wisdom was outstanding. But most of all, I always knew that he cared for me. I think everyone who knew Mick felt this. Just before his retirement, Mick asked me to take over all of his Field Education classes at Talbot. This was a huge honor. He told me that I was the “right man” for the job and that he had already expressed his sentiment to the deans. His were very big shoes to fill. The only way I’ve been able to fill this role is because I watched Mick do it first. Mick came to my office two weeks before his passing to share the news of his cancer. He hugged me, Mick style, and told me that he loved me. I miss him greatly. This is the legacy of Mick Boersma, a man who loved greatly!