Michael “Redhawk” Rice-Sauer, 58, graduated from Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, TN in 1983.  He calls himself a student of world religions and has studied Taoism, Confucianism, Hinduism and Buddhism.  Before he came to Spokane in 1996, he led the Nashville Spiritual Community for three years.  The community was an interfaith church that brought together Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Jews.

Prior to that position, he worked as a religious educator at a Unitarian Universalist church and as a director of a community corrections program that focused on diverting people from the Prison system.

Pastor Rice-Sauer is an accomplished musician, plays several musical instruments, sings , and has composed numerous songs.  He and his wife, Edie, have been married 28 years and have two children:  Josh, 24 and Sophie, 18.