DENVER, CO (K-LOVE) — When you think about the words “scum of the Earth,” the most pleasant thoughts might not come to mind, but one man hopes to change your perspective.
Mike Sares is all about innovation as he continues to provide the Denver community with an unique approach to ministry beyond traditional churches.
Mike is the Executive Director of Urban Skye, a nonprofit organization that provides support to those who feel called to ministry, but do not feel that they fit into the day-to-day life of a church.
Urban Skye provides support including nonprofit-status filings, donation processing, insurance, and more so those served can focus their attention on ministering to others. The organization has helped those who minister through counseling, life coaching, missionaries, and more.
“We have a couple who are doing even started a pro-life film company,” Mike said.
Urban Skye is here to serve people regardless of how they pastor to others.
“If you're in Denver and you're a musician and your amp is broken, or you're down, fan broken, or you need a place to stay, this ministry helps you right where you are here for free of charge,” he adds.
Mike’s journey serving those who feel they have been overlooked began nearly 25 years ago, when he formed Scum of the Earth Church, which closed its doors earlier this year so he could focus on operating Urban Skye.
In 2000, Mike had formed a relationship with some Denver band members—today known as Five Iron Frenzy—who were seeking a home church that would accept those who felt unseen and unwelcome. Many of those people belonged to the creative community: artists, musicians, and other “alternative 20 somethings.”
After resigning from his lead pastoral role at a Presbyterian church, Sares knew this was something too great to not continue.
“I didn't get much of a salary, but I got enough to live on, and we started meeting in our living room,” Mike says.
While his wife, Mary, made them lunch, the group would routinely meet at The Sares’ residence to start their own Bible study, and soon later, the group grew even larger to become Scum of the Earth Church.
But where did that name come from?
Believe it or not, that very phrase shows up in Bible.
1 Corinthians 4:13: “We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.”
In this verse, The Apostle Paul talks about how he and the apostles were treated with disrespect and slander. Despite being insulted and belittled, they respond with kindness and patience. Paul describes how they are referred by others as the lowest of the low, even like "garbage" or "scum" of the earth. However, he shows that they willingly endure this harsh treatment as part of their dedication to serving Christ and spreading the message of the gospel.
That is what inspired the mission of Scum of the Earth Church.
“It kind of captured the imagination,” Mike shares. “It was a great conversation starter if you wanted to start talking about the Lord or invite somebody to church,” he adds.
24 years, Scum of the Earth Church catered to those who wanted to come in, sing worship music, praise Jesus, and hear the message of the Gospel.
“Well, we used to call it the church for the left out and the right brain, which kind of encapsulates most of the people who came,” Mike adds.
He writes all about his experiences leading this church and all the stories that came with it in his book.
“I remember certain people. There was one guy, who was gothic, and if you know anything about goths, they have very dark black fingernails, white makeup, black lipstick, eyeliner. He dressed to the extreme the first time he attended. Nobody paid attention, nobody cared. We paid attention to him, but it never phased anybody, and he just couldn't believe the non-reaction that he got from the way he was dressed,” he shares.
You can follow Mike’s journey at his website at urbanskye.org.