Pastors Mike and Stephanie Burnette co-lead LifePoint church in Clarksville Tennessee. Their advice this pastor appreciation month?
“Figure out a way to do anything, spiritual, personal, or practical, or all three or two of those or whatever, it will put wind in your pastor's sails and they're not expecting it.” Said Mike Burnette
“I would say one of the best things that you can do is pray for your pastor. I think prayer and then also encouragement.” Stephanie Burnette added.
Mike and Stephanie met in college where Mike studied vocal performance with dreams of pursuing opera, while Stephanie earned her master's degree in piano performance. They both had a heart for ministry and serving the kingdom but expected it to happen alongside careers as professional musicians.
Instead, God redirected their path.
After college, Mike began serving in ministry full time as a choir director and eventually became a youth pastor, while Stephanie taught piano and invested in student ministry.
By age 30, they faced a crossroads.
"I was either going to go all in on music or all in on ministry," Mike said. "Clearly, we chose the ministry path."
That decision eventually led them to Clarksville, a city whose military influence and constant flow of new residents immediately captured their hearts.
"We thought, 'Think of the influence we could have for the kingdom,'" Stephanie said. "People come here through the military, encounter Jesus, and then carry that faith wherever they're sent next."
Though the church they landed in was $2.5 million dollars in debt, and only had roughly 52 voting members, Mike said he knew "the church it is, is not the church it'll be."
And Mike was right, LifePoint now has four locations. When asked about how large the church is now, Mike said "I mean, somebody's counting it here, but I actually don't even know what our Sunday attendance is technically because I don't want to know." he also mentioned "We'll see anywhere from six to 800 people baptized a year, which to us is a major marker of life change and transformation... We want to pastor a church where it's all about changed lives and baptism, getting into small groups, serving, giving, all those things are markers of transformation and discipleship."
The Burnettes' partnership has evolved as well. Though Stephanie once insisted she never wanted to speak from a church stage, years of discipleship, education and encouragement led her into a more visible leadership role. She now serves alongside Mike as a co-lead pastor, speaking, mentoring women and helping shape the church's direction.
Today, they are parents to four daughters and remain intentional about protecting family time in the midst of a demanding ministry schedule.
One of their favorite traditions happens around the dinner table.
The family regularly shares "high, low and buffalo," discussing the best part of the day, the most challenging moment and an unexpected surprise. They prioritize device-free meals, family vacations and weekly rhythms that keep them connected despite busy calendars.
"We really cherish that time together," Stephanie said. "It's how we stay close as a family."
That commitment to family has also shaped how they approach ministry. Rather than separating church life from home life, they've invited their daughters into it, bringing them along on hospital visits, service projects and volunteer opportunities.
"We don't want our kids to feel like the church stole their parents," Stephanie said.
When asked what church members can do during Pastor Appreciation Month, neither mentioned gifts or recognition programs. Instead, they pointed to prayer and encouragement.
"Pastors are carrying things most people never see," Stephanie said.
Mike agreed, encouraging believers to support pastors in practical, personal and spiritual ways.
"A simple note, a prayer, an encouraging word," he said. "You'll never know what kind of wind that puts in a pastor's sails."
After 16 years in Clarksville, countless life changes and hundreds of baptisms each year, the Burnettes remain focused on the same simple mission that first brought them to the city: love God, love people and love their community.
For a couple who once dreamed of performing on stages around the world, it's a different spotlight than they imagined. But it's one they wouldn't trade.
"We've loved serving together," Stephanie said. "It's been such an honor and a privilege."