Pastor Michael McBride—widely known as “Pastor Mike”—is a nationally respected faith leader, public theologian, and community organizer who has spent over 20 years working at the intersection of faith, justice, and healing. A proud San Francisco native, he is the founder and lead pastor of The Way Christian Center in Berkeley, California, a multigenerational congregation rooted in Black liberation theology, community wellness, and prophetic action.

Pastor Mike holds a Master of Divinity from Duke University’s Divinity School, with a concentration in Ethics and Public Policy. He is the National Director of LIVE FREE USA, a national campaign that supports local communities in reducing gun violence, ending mass incarceration, and investing in public safety without police harm. His work has contributed to life-saving results in cities like Oakland, where faith-rooted interventions have helped reduce gun homicides by over 50%.

A trusted leader in national racial justice movements, Pastor Mike has been on the frontlines of social uprisings from Ferguson to the present-day fight, bridging generations and movements with a steady commitment to radical love and systemic change. He continues to support and train faith leaders, organizers, and young activists across the country to build power, shift policy, and create communities of care.