Serving in Silence: The Early Morning Hero at First Baptist Church

Mike Outlaw arrives at First Baptist Church between 2-3 AM most weekdays. While most of Hendersonville sleeps, he quietly prepares the sanctuary and facilities before anyone else arrives. This dedication exemplifies why he was selected as this week's George Real Estate Group Hometown Hero.After dedicating 30 years to our local school system—28 of those at Flat Rock Middle School—Mike transitioned to becoming the lead custodian at First Baptist Church following his retirement. What makes his story remarkable isn't just the longevity of his service, but the spirit behind it. "I did it to be around kids," Mike explains, describing his school system work. "I love kids and I've always been working with kids in churches." This passion for serving young people drove his career choices and community involvement.When Hurricane Helene devastated our community, Mike's positioning at the church became providential. Already retired from the school system, he was able to devote himself fully to First Baptist's relief efforts, helping organize supplies and coordinate distribution to those in need. "We'd get groups together to say what you need and we'll come to you," he recalls of the church's outreach efforts. His ability to navigate crisis with calm efficiency stems from decades of experience: "Working with the school system and the church, I've seen it all, so I'm pretty prepared."The philosophy guiding Mike's exceptional service comes from his father, a retired minister who taught him, "Son, you need to work as hard as you can because it's for God and He's always watching, and I need to be an example of what a Christian is supposed to be." This principle illuminates why Mike shows up hours before dawn, why he steps up during community crises, and why—after thirty years of public service—he continues to serve with a smile rather than fully retiring.Want to learn more about our community's unsung heroes? Tune in every Friday morning at 8:45 for the George Real Estate Group Hometown Hero series on WHKP 107.7 FM and AM 1450, or find the podcasts wherever you listen to your favorite shows.