Michael Todd (born November 16, 1986, in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an American pastor, author, motivational speaker, and former music producer. Better known as Pastor Mike Todd, he serves as lead co-pastor of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, alongside his wife, Natalie Todd. He went from running the sound board at a North Tulsa church to becoming a three-time #1 New York Times bestselling author — a rise he would be the first to call completely crazy. His viral “Relationship Goals” sermon series launched his national profile, and his books have collectively reached millions of readers worldwide. As of 2026, Pastor Mike Todd is 39 years old and is widely regarded as one of the most culturally connected young pastors in America.
[IMAGE: Pastor Mike Todd preaching at Transformation Church Tulsa Oklahoma]
Pastor Mike Todd at a Glance
| Personal | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Todd |
| Born | November 16, 1986, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA |
| Age (2026) | 39 |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Black American |
| Birth Sign | Scorpio |
| Father | Tommy Ray Todd |
| Brothers | Gabriel, Brentom, and others |
| Spouse | Natalie Todd (m. 2010) |
| Children | Isabella Monet, Michael Jr., Ava Rae, Gia Joy |
| Education | |
| College | Tulsa Community College (did not graduate) |
| Ministry | |
| Title | Lead Co-Pastor |
| Church | Transformation Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Denomination | Non-denominational (Charismatic) |
| Lead Pastor Since | February 2015 |
| Church Founded By | Bishop Gary McIntosh (1999) |
| Website | iammiketodd.com |
| Career | |
| Books | Relationship Goals, Crazy Faith, Damaged But Not Destroyed + companion titles |
| NYT Bestsellers | 3 (#1 on all three) |
| Net Worth (est.) | ~$5 million (est. 2024; unconfirmed by Todd) |
Early Life and Family Background
Michael Todd was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He grew up in the city’s North Side, in a Christian household headed by his father, Tommy Ray Todd. He has at least three brothers — Gabriel, Brentom, and others — and faith was embedded in the family from early on.
Todd has been candid about his younger self. He was not the obvious candidate for pastoral ministry. Church and English class were, by his own admission in Damaged But Not Destroyed, the two most boring things in his world. He dropped out of Tulsa Community College — he jokes that Nutrition 101 took him out — before God had other plans.
What he was good at early on was music. He had a natural ear, a producer’s instinct, and he channeled both into the local church scene in North Tulsa. That’s where his path eventually intersected with Bishop Gary McIntosh and the church that would become Transformation Church.
Education
Todd attended Tulsa Community College (TCC) but did not complete his degree. He has spoken openly about this, particularly in his book Damaged But Not Destroyed, where he frames his dropout as part of a larger story about God working outside the expected paths. His ministry has never been built on formal academic credentials. It has been built on platform, results, and a direct connection to a generation that often feels unseen by traditional church.
Career and Ministry Journey
From the Sound Booth to the Pulpit
Mike Todd’s career did not begin with a calling to preach. It began with a DJ booth and a sound system. He started as a soundman and music producer at what was then called Greenwood Christian Center in North Tulsa, the church founded by Bishop Gary and Pastor Debbie McIntosh in 1999.
The church’s location was intentional. Bishop McIntosh planted it in the Greenwood District, the historically Black neighborhood devastated by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, as an act of spiritual restoration. Todd ran sound, helped produce music for church conferences, and worked with the late Myles Munroe on a ministry project. He was good at it, and he stayed in the background.
That changed when he was pulled into youth ministry. He served the youth department for four years, and that experience — connecting with young people who did not fit the traditional church mold — shaped everything that followed.
Becoming Lead Pastor of Transformation Church
In February 2015, Bishop Gary McIntosh handed leadership of the church to Michael and Natalie Todd. At the time, the congregation had roughly 300 members, mostly older African American churchgoers. The building was modest. The ministry was steady but local.
Todd kept the mission but changed the method. He reimagined Transformation Church as a multi-ethnic, multigenerational, non-denominational ministry built for people who felt out of place in traditional church settings. The preaching became more visual, more culturally connected, and more personal. He spoke like someone who had failed, doubted, and kept going anyway — because he had.
The growth was rapid. Within a few years, Transformation Church had outgrown its original location. The congregation eventually moved to the SpiritBank Event Center in Bixby, a suburb of Tulsa, which the church purchased for over $10 million. By 2021, up to 24,000 people were tuning in online per service, and over 35,000 people had reported making first-time decisions to follow Christ through the church’s ministry that year alone.
[IMAGE: Transformation Church Tulsa Oklahoma SpiritBank Event Center]
The “Relationship Goals” Breakthrough
The moment that put Mike Todd on the national map was a sermon series he taught in August 2016 called “Relationship Goals.” The series tackled dating, marriage, sex, and purpose with the kind of directness that most churches avoided entirely. It went viral online, pulling in millions of views and drawing a younger audience that mainstream Christianity had largely lost.
By 2017, the series had spread globally. Todd knew it had become something bigger than a local sermon run. He eventually shaped it into a book — and that book changed everything.
Books and Publications
Pastor Mike Todd is a #1 New York Times bestselling author three times over. That is not a modest achievement. For context, most authors never land a single Times bestseller. Todd has done it with every major title he has released.
Relationship Goals: How to Win at Dating, Marriage, and Sex (2020)
Released in 2020, Relationship Goals debuted at #1 on Amazon and spent 13 consecutive weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list. Todd has said the book has sold nearly a million copies. It covers dating, marriage, physical intimacy, and purpose — all through a biblical lens, but with the language of someone who actually lives in the real world. Companion resources include the Relationship Goals Study Guide and the Relationship Goals Challenge: Thirty Days from Good to Great.
Crazy Faith: It’s Only Crazy Until It Happens (2021)
His second major release hit New York Times again. Crazy Faith builds on a simple truth: most things that God asks people to believe look unreasonable to everyone around them, right up until they happen. Noah, Moses, Mary — the biblical cast of “crazy” believers who turned out to be right. Todd connects the theology to practical faith for everyday decisions. The book also spawned the Crazy Faith Workbook.
Damaged But Not Destroyed: From Trauma to Triumph (2023)
His third major title went to #1 again. This one is the most personal. Todd leans into his own damage — trauma passed down through generations, dumb choices, lingering struggles — and frames it through the biblical story of David and Mephibosheth. The endorsement from Kirk Franklin brought additional attention. Dr. Dharius Daniels called Todd’s transparency in the book “transformative.” The title became both a book and a sermon series that Transformation Church ran as a ministry framework.
Children’s Book
Todd has also published a children’s book drawing on the themes of Relationship Goals, helping younger readers understand how God strengthens family bonds.
[IMAGE: Pastor Mike Todd Relationship Goals book cover]
Personal Life
Wife: Natalie Todd
Pastor Mike Todd met his wife, Natalie Todd, on December 14, 2001, at a mutual friend’s birthday party. He was 15 years old at the time. They dated for years and got married in 2010. They have been married for over 15 years and co-lead Transformation Church together as equal pastoral partners.
How old is Pastor Mike Todd’s wife, Natalie Todd? Natalie was born on April 5, 1987. As of 2026, she is 39 years old. She is of Native American descent and was born in Oklahoma.
Natalie is not a supporting character in Todd’s ministry. She has her own platform, preaches regularly, and co-leads the church under the same pastoral title. The Todds are careful to present their marriage publicly as a real partnership, not a polished performance.
[IMAGE: Pastor Mike Todd and Natalie Todd together at Transformation Church]
Children
Michael and Natalie Todd have four children: daughters Isabella Monet, Ava Rae, and Gia Joy, and a son, Michael Alexander Todd Jr. Both parents have spoken publicly about their children, which is why their names are included here. Todd’s books and sermons frequently reference parenting as a living laboratory for the faith he teaches.
Theology and Ministry Philosophy
Transformation Church operates under a mission statement that Todd has repeated in every context: “re-presenting God to the lost and found for transformation in Christ.” That phrase contains the whole model.
“Re-presenting” means the church believes God has been misrepresented by religion — as distant, angry, or irrelevant — and its job is to correct that picture. “Lost and found” means the doors are open to people who have never believed and people who used to believe but walked away. “Transformation” is the expected outcome, not just a name on a sign.
Todd’s theology sits within the charismatic, non-denominational tradition. He emphasizes practical faith, generosity, healing, and the power of the Holy Spirit, while keeping his preaching accessible to people with no church background. He has spoken at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, Elevation Church, the C3 Conference, the VOUS Conference, and the XO Conference, among others.
His preaching style is a deliberate break from formal pulpit tradition. He uses visual props, pop culture, humor, and real-time illustration. Critics call it showmanship. His congregation calls it the reason they came back.
Community and Generosity
One dimension of Transformation Church’s identity that gets less coverage than the controversies is its generosity record. Todd has made giveaways a structural part of the church’s public witness rather than an occasional event.
Documented church-led or Todd-led giving has included $3.5 million in houses, cash, and cars given away over a two-year period; $600,000 distributed in what the church framed as reparations; $65,000 spent on 168 pairs of shoes for community members; and $200,000 each donated to the three then-surviving witnesses of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, as part of broader local efforts toward reparations. Those donations were particularly significant given that Transformation Church’s roots are planted directly in the Greenwood District where the massacre occurred.
The church’s real estate portfolio reportedly grew to nearly $67 million, a figure that has drawn both praise and scrutiny.
Social Media and Digital Ministry
Todd understands that the church building is one address and the internet is another. He treats both as mission fields. Transformation Church streams every service, and the YouTube channel carries years of sermon archives. Todd’s Instagram following grew from a few hundred in 2019 to over 2 million by the early 2020s.
The “Relationship Goals” sermon series alone has accumulated nearly 30 million views on YouTube. That reach is not incidental — it is the result of a consistent, intentional digital ministry strategy that treats social media as a front door, not an afterthought.
Controversies
No biography of Mike Todd is complete without addressing what has made people uncomfortable — and what has sparked the most frequent “what happened” searches online.
The Spit Incident (January 2022)
On January 16, 2022, during a live Sunday service, Todd was illustrating a passage from the Gospel of Mark in which Jesus heals a blind man using mud and saliva. In an attempt to make the story visceral and immediate, Todd spat into his own hand and rubbed the contents onto the face of a man on stage — later identified as his brother, Brentom Todd.
The crowd reacted audibly. The clip spread within hours. Given that Oklahoma had seen a 287% rise in COVID cases in the two weeks prior, the reaction online was swift and largely negative. Many criticized the act as an ill-advised stunt. Some questioned his judgment. Others were simply, straightforwardly, disgusted.
Todd responded the following day with a video apology on Twitter. His exact words: “That was a distraction to what I was really trying to do… Yesterday it got too live, and I own that.” His caption read: “I apologize for my example being too extreme and disgusting.”
He did not minimize what happened. He owned it clearly and moved on. Whether people found the apology sufficient depended largely on how much benefit of the doubt they were willing to extend to a pastor who pushes boundaries as a matter of style.
The Druski Connection (January 2026)
In January 2026, comedian Druski posted a parody skit titled Mega Church Pastors LOVE Money, which hit over 91 million views within days. The sketch lampooned high-profile pastors who bless luxury goods and pressure congregants for money. One line — “Christian Dior because I’m a Christian” — became an instant meme.
Social media users linked Todd to the sketch, partly because of his animated preaching style and partly due to AI-generated images that circulated suggesting he owned a Rolls-Royce. He had been offline for a week when the clip took over his mentions. When he returned and addressed it during a sermon, his response was relaxed and clear: “I don’t even got a Rolls-Royce.”
He called the skit a “weapon of mass distraction” — not because it was unfunny (he admitted it was), but because he felt it pulled people’s focus toward online arguments rather than relationships, responsibilities, and spiritual growth. He denied the parody was aimed directly at him. Druski never named any specific pastor in the sketch.
The “Pastor Mike Todd Dior” search term that emerged from this moment reflects public curiosity about his actual lifestyle and wealth. As far as public record shows, he has not confirmed owning designer items of that type, and AI-generated images are not a reliable source.
Broader Theological Criticism
Todd has faced persistent criticism from more conservative evangelical commentators who argue his preaching style prioritizes spectacle over substance. Some critics, including writers on the Reformed side of Protestant Christianity, have labeled him a false teacher. These critiques typically center on his use of extreme sermon illustrations, the church’s prosperity-adjacent framing of faith and generosity, and the lottery-style tithe promotion that reportedly offered one tither a chance to win a million dollars.
Todd’s supporters counter that these critiques come primarily from audiences that were never his target, and that the results — tens of thousands of reported conversions, a growing multiethnic congregation, and consistent community investment — speak for themselves. The theological debate continues in online spaces, as it has for T.D. Jakes, Rick Warren, and every high-profile pastor who has scaled a ministry beyond traditional church norms.
Pastor Mike Todd Net Worth and Salary
Multiple third-party sources estimate Pastor Mike Todd’s net worth at approximately $5 million as of 2024. This figure has not been confirmed by Todd himself, and no church financial disclosure has been made publicly available that would allow a precise calculation.
His income streams include book royalties (three #1 New York Times bestsellers with companion workbooks), speaking fees (he speaks at major conferences and churches globally), a church salary, and additional ministry-related revenue. His books have collectively received tens of thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, suggesting total readership well into the millions.
As for his salary from the church specifically, no public figure has been confirmed. What is documented is that Transformation Church is a financially active organization with a real estate portfolio worth roughly $67 million. That is the church’s portfolio, not Todd’s personal wealth — a distinction worth making clearly.
Searches for “Pastor Mike Todd car” spiked after the Druski incident. He denied owning a Rolls-Royce during his public response. No verified information exists about specific vehicles he owns.
Awards and Recognition
| Recognition | Detail |
|---|---|
| #1 New York Times Bestseller | Relationship Goals (2020) — 13 consecutive weeks |
| #1 New York Times Bestseller | Crazy Faith (2021) |
| #1 New York Times Bestseller | Damaged But Not Destroyed (2023) |
| ECPA Bestseller | Damaged But Not Destroyed |
| #1 Amazon Debut | Relationship Goals launched at #1 on Amazon |
| Transformation Church Recognition | Named one of America’s fastest-growing churches |
| Kirk Franklin Endorsement | Franklin endorsed Damaged But Not Destroyed publicly |
Interesting Facts About Pastor Mike Todd
- He started his career at Transformation Church as the soundman — not a preacher. He ran audio equipment before he ever ran a service.
- He dropped out of Tulsa Community College. He says Nutrition 101 did it. He wrote about this in his own book without embarrassment.
- He met his wife, Natalie, when he was 15 years old, at a birthday party. They dated for years before marrying in 2010.
- His “Relationship Goals” sermon series was preached in 2016, but it went viral in 2017 — nearly a year later. Internet timing is its own thing.
- He and Natalie have four children, not three. Some older sources list three; the fourth, Gia Joy, was born later and is confirmed on his Penguin Random House author page.
- He reportedly did not own a Rolls-Royce, despite viral AI images suggesting otherwise. He said so on the record during a 2026 sermon.
- The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre is a recurring reference point for his ministry. Transformation Church’s roots are in the Greenwood District where the massacre occurred. Todd donated $200,000 each to three known survivors.
- Kirk Franklin endorsed Damaged But Not Destroyed, calling it a blueprint for bouncing back from life’s hardest hits.
- Relationship Goals has sold nearly a million copies — a figure he describes as “absolutely freaking crazy” in his own words.
Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Born November 16 in Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| 2001 | Meets Natalie at a friend’s birthday party (December 14) |
| Early 2000s | Begins working as soundman and music producer at Greenwood Christian Center |
| 2010 | Marries Natalie Todd |
| 2011–2014 | Leads youth ministry at what becomes Transformation Church |
| February 2015 | Bishop Gary McIntosh hands church leadership to Michael and Natalie Todd |
| August 2016 | Preaches the “Relationship Goals” sermon series |
| 2017 | “Relationship Goals” goes viral; global audience explodes |
| 2020 | Relationship Goals published; debuts at #1 on Amazon and NYT Bestsellers list |
| 2021 | Crazy Faith published; another NYT #1 bestseller. Church reports 35,000 first-time decisions for Christ that year. |
| January 2022 | Spit incident goes viral during sermon; Todd issues public apology |
| 2023 | Damaged But Not Destroyed published; third NYT #1 bestseller. Endorsed by Kirk Franklin. |
| January 2026 | Responds publicly to Druski’s viral mega-church parody skit; denies owning a Rolls-Royce |
Frequently Asked Questions About Pastor Mike Todd
How old is Pastor Mike Todd?
Pastor Mike Todd is 39 years old as of 2026. He was born on November 16, 1986, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He turns 40 in November 2026.
When was Michael Todd born?
Michael Todd was born on November 16, 1986. His birth sign is Scorpio. He was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
How old is Pastor Mike Todd’s wife, Natalie Todd?
Natalie Todd was born on April 5, 1987, making her 39 years old as of 2026. She is of Native American descent and was born in Oklahoma. She and Mike have been married since 2010.
How many kids does Pastor Mike Todd have?
Pastor Mike Todd has four children with his wife Natalie: daughters Isabella Monet, Ava Rae, and Gia Joy, and a son named Michael Alexander Todd Jr.
What is Pastor Mike Todd’s net worth?
Most estimates place Pastor Mike Todd’s net worth at around $5 million as of 2024. His income comes from book sales (three #1 NYT bestsellers), speaking engagements, and church salary. He has not confirmed a specific figure publicly. Transformation Church’s real estate portfolio is reportedly worth around $67 million — that is church property, not his personal wealth.
What is Pastor Mike Todd’s salary?
No specific salary figure from Transformation Church has been disclosed publicly. His overall income includes book royalties, speaking fees, and pastoral compensation. The exact amount is not confirmed.
What happened with Mike Todd?
The most searched “what happened” moment relates to the January 2022 spit incident, when Todd rubbed saliva from his hand onto a man’s face (his brother Brentom) during a live sermon to illustrate a biblical healing story. He apologized publicly the next day, calling it “too extreme and disgusting.” A separate 2026 controversy involved comedian Druski’s viral mega-church parody skit, which many people linked to Todd. He addressed it in a sermon, denied owning a Rolls-Royce, and asked people to focus on what matters.
What happened to Mike Todd at Transformation Church — is he still the pastor?
Yes. Pastor Mike Todd is still the lead co-pastor of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as of 2026. There has been no removal, resignation, or leadership change. He continues to preach weekly and lead the church alongside Natalie Todd.
What is the “Pastor Mike Todd Dior” thing?
This search term came from Druski’s January 2026 mega-church parody skit, which included the line “Christian Dior because I’m a Christian.” Online users connected the joke to Todd, and AI-generated images circulated suggesting he had expensive fashion or vehicles. Todd addressed the situation directly, said he does not own a Rolls-Royce, and asked people not to get distracted by viral content.
Where is Pastor Michael Todd from?
Pastor Michael Todd is from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born there, grew up there, built his church there, and still lives there with his family. Tulsa is both his home and the location of Transformation Church.
What is Michael Todd’s education background?
Todd attended Tulsa Community College (TCC) but did not finish his degree. He has spoken openly about dropping out and frames it as part of his broader story about God working through unconventional paths. He has no formal seminary or Bible college degree on record.
Is Pastor Mike Todd the same as Mike Todd, the film producer?
No. Mike Todd the film producer (1909–1958) was a mid-20th-century Hollywood figure who produced the film Around the World in 80 Days and was married to actress Elizabeth Taylor. He has no connection to Pastor Michael Todd, the Tulsa, Oklahoma pastor born in 1986. They share a name, nothing else.
