Mike Goodson was born in Atlanta, Georgia on December 3, 1949, to parents' Roy and Betty Goodson. Brother Mike's father, Roy, was the pastor of several different churches as well as an evangelist for several years. At the age of eight years old, at an old "rock alter" Brother Mike accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He answered the call to preach God's word at the age of sixteen.

From 1969 until 1971, he served in the military during the Vietnam War. After returning from Vietnam, he married the former Myria Kay Stidham on September 4, 1971, in Newport, Tennessee. Since his marriage, his family has grown to include sons, Michael Whitney and Kevin David Goodson. Brother Mike and his wife Kay have also been blessed with two granddaughters, Alexia Faith and Rilee Paige.

Before being called to pastor Gilead Baptist Church on August 10, 1997, he was the pastor of three other churches and was in evangelism for twenty-two years. Brother Mike holds a Doctorate degree of Letters from Cambridge Institute of Theology. He still conducts revivals in the surrounding counties in Tennessee as well as in Florida, West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky and in June of 2007, he was privileged to be in revival at the Indian reservation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Brother Mike is a strong believer in supporting missions. As a result Gilead Baptist Church support a total of eleven missions.

Brother Mike has been saved for almost fifty years. His love and dedication to his congregation are proven on a daily basis by his hard and unceasing work. His dedication to his prayer life and his love of studying God's word are shown in the wisdom which is revealed in each message that he preaches. The members of Gilead Baptist Church truly love and appreciate Brother Mike not only for what he stands for but for his total commitment to God and to Gilead Baptist Church.