About the Author

Michael V. Fariss founded and ministers as President/Chief Executive Officer of Urban Discovery Ministries, Inc. (UDM) in Norfolk, Virginia. He provided leadership for planting three churches and a school that serve families living in high-poverty communities. Mr. Fariss co-established the George Liele Objective for Black Enterprise (GLOBE) Partnership with the Buff Bay Baptist Church in Jamaica. He designed UDM's Vanguard 2022 Project and its eight initiatives to mobilize African-American leaders for careers in global missions. He coaches AAU and school basketball teams. Mr. Fariss and his wife, Kim Fariss, have four children and four grandchildren.