Pastor Michael Royer and his wife Raquel have a son named Jonathan who was born in 2023 and another child on the way. Michael moved to South Dakota to attend Dakota State University and after graduating, he felt God direct him to stay and reach South Dakota with the Gospel. Raquel is originally from Minnesota, but after graduating Texas Bible College with her bachelor’s degree, she felt similar instruction from the Lord.

In 2022 through Next Town Ministries, Bishop Mark Brown launched the Jesus Church of Brookings. Since that time, Michael and Raquel have worked under Bishop Mark Brown where they have seen the Gospel of Jesus Christ transform people’s lives in Brookings.