Mark Mickalide and His Ministry as Baker

"The sun is just peeking over the roof line, the dooryard is muddy from the first spring melt and inside the Black Crow Bakery the workday is well underway.

"Standing on the black-and-white tile floor, amid pallets piled with 50-pound bags of flour, a large commercial mixer chugs through the opening act of an age-old process that aims for a satisfying finale before sunset.

"A hooked metal arm tugs and twists the pale mass forming in the 60-quart bowl. Every few turns, the arm hits the side of the bowl, banging out an easy, syncopated rhythm that's familiar to Mark Mickalide.

"Head down, concentrating, Mickalide hears something in the sound, picks up a half-empty brown sack of flour and shakes some into the bowl. He does this several times, looking for the perfect texture and resistance in the dough.

"'I know what it needs,' Mickalide says with confidence and typical brevity.

A recent Portland Press Herald article profiled Mr. Mickalide and his bakery ministry. Although this article specifically looks at this bakery operation and the spirit of excellence that is put into it, it is a reminder of the value and importance of putting excellence into whatever ministry we may have.

To access the complete article, please visit:

Portland Press Herald: Maker of bread discovers a calling that nourishes the soul (19 APR 15)

Background information:

Black Crow Bakery, Litchfield, ME