You see his work on every page of printed material churned out by the Bible Advocate Press, but you rarely see him.
That’s the way Keith Michalak likes it. As co-director of Publications, he prefers the background, sitting at his Macintosh computer and quietly finessing type and graphics for just the right look. But in this issue of Churchright, we’re placing Keith in the spotlight. In June of this year, he celebrates 50 years at the BAP. It’s fitting that we recognize his outstanding work and dedication, not just to the Church of God (Seventh Day) but to the kingdom of God.
Here are some of the highlights of Keith’s career. For a full version, please visit baonline.org (July-
August BA, available July 1).
In the summer of 1973, LeRoy Dais, then-director of the BAP, hired Keith right out of high school. He learned all kinds of jobs. Some, he says, stained his hands with ink for many years.
Also in 1973 the BAP acquired new equipment: an offset press, paper cutter, camera, and plate-making equipment. Keith wanted to learn everything, and did. He credits George Tolbert, Gilbert Tuller, and Nolan Rincker for teaching him to run the folder and the cutter and other machines. He also helped Floyd Turner, a master electrician, run an electrical line to the equipment.
Keith learned how to operate other equipment and mastered all publishing processes. The toughest years, he says, were convention years. He often pulled all-nighters to print the needed materials.
In 1988, the BAP purchased its first Mac computer for word processing and page layout. Keith loved it and learned it inside and out. In the 1990’s, he was instrumental when the BAP jumped on the Internet, adding its Christian voice to the Worldwide Web.
At the time George and Gina Tolbert left the Conference offices, Keith became shop manager. In 2003 he was promoted to director of Publications.
Keith always looked ahead to needs coming in the future. The Heidelberg press, bought when the Conference offices moved to Denver in 1972, was showing its age and not printing well. Thanks to Keith’s research and recommendations, the board approved a digital press in 2020. It allows the BAP to do print-on-demand and saves costs in paper and waste in consumables.
Keith reached retirement age last year, but he’s not ready to go quite yet: “I feel like this is my ministry — not on the front lines but as the support to other people’s ministries.” Well done, boss!
Sherri Langton
Associate Edito
