Meet Our Staff

Rev. Rosario Picardo

Lead Pastor
roz@embraceyourcity.com

Rosario grew up in Western, New York and is first generation Sicilian-American. In 2003, Rosario earned a B.A. in Religion from Houghton College. In 2007, Rosario earned a M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary (ATS). Rosario spent 4 years in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and 5 years in the United States Navy Reserves as a Chaplain. Rosario received an honorable discharge in 2009. Rosario is experienced in urban ministry while attending the Rock/La Roca UMC as a parishioner, custodian, and associate pastor for over 4 years. Upon graduation from ATS Rosario was appointed by the Kentucky Annual Conference of the Methodist Church as a church planter and Provisional Elder. Rosario will be an ordained Elder in 2011. He will be starting a doctoral degree this summer and is currently co-authoring his first book with Dr. Mike Cuckler, “The Truth Behind Church Planting.” Rosario is married to his beautiful bride Callie!

Michael Halcomb

Teaching Pastor
michael.halcomb@asburyseminary.edu

Michael is a native of the Bluegrass state and currently a PhD student at Asbury Theological Seminary working on a degree in biblical studies. Halcomb completed his undergraduate degree in biblical studies at Kentucky Christian University and went on to do a Master of Divinity (Lexington Theological Seminary) and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (Asbury Theological). Halcomb has 6+ years of pastoral experience and in addition to his studies and church service, has an interest in missions and orphan advocacy, particularly in Ethiopia. He has founded his own organization called HelpKorah, which partners with a local church in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia’s capital city. As a writer and presenter Halcomb has dozens of publications in journals & magazines. Michael also speaks & presents papers regularly at conferences & churches. Halcomb has a wife and two great children. You may enjoy his website, Pisteuomen (a Greek word meaning “We Believe”), which you can visit at www.MichaelHalcomb.com.

Dr. Mike Cuckler

Administrative Pastor
mike@embraceyourcity.com

Dr. Mike Cuckler joined the Embrace staff as a church planting coach on January 24th, 2010. Mike has over 20 years in student-based ministry to youth, college students, young adults, and their families, in both church and para-church contexts. Prior to teaching at Asbury College, he worked full-time for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Dr. Cuckler holds an AA degree from Ohio University, a BA in Sociology from Asbury College and both a Master of Arts and Doctoral degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. His areas of expertise includes Juvenile Delinquency, Leadership of Organizations, and developing a Socio-Cultural approach to church and para-church development. Dr. Cuckler is a frequent speaker in many different contexts such as: churches, retreats, camps, and a popular conference and workshop speaker in the area of cultural engagement and parenting teenagers.