Michael Dale Sweat

He was born at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland to Wesley and Anne (Arey) Sweat on January 17th, 1963. Mike had a love of learning and pursued education all of his life. He graduated from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in 1980 in Greenbelt, MD. In 1982, Mike graduated from Washington Bible College with a degree in Biblical Studies. From there, he went on to earn a BA in Political Science in 1984, and in 1986 he received his MBA, both from the University of Maryland. He was also a life-long student of God’s Word.

He served for over 30 years in the federal government, beginning at Peace Corps headquarters in 1987. Over the years, Mike worked across several agencies including Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Treasury Department, Department of Defense, and National Security Agency (NSA). He was also a founding member of Homeland Security in 2003, becoming the first Coast Guard budget reviewer in the agency’s history. While at NSA, he was nominated to study at the National Defense University in Washington D.C., at the Eisenhower School for National Security and Research Strategy where he received his second master's degree.

While Mike was education and career-minded, his greatest joy was always his three girls. He married Joy Ellen (Harkleroad), the love of his life, on June 11th, 1988. Their marriage exemplified Christ, and Mike led a home focused on service, hospitality, and a love for the Lord.

He held many interests. Mike enjoyed a life full of laughter, adventure, travel, and making marble memories with his family. He was passionate about music and played his violin in the church orchestra for many years. He had a love for Latin culture and speaking Spanish. Specifically, he had a heart for missions, including faithfully sponsoring his “Honduran children” for over 35 years. He enjoyed football and was an unwavering, life-long Washington Redskins (Commanders) fan, despite a poor return on his investment. He was a perfectionist in all that he did, which was perfectly exemplified in his dedication to planning and setting up his elaborate nativity scene for Christmas which, laughingly, earned him the title “Father Christmas.” When he wasn’t landscaping or being the ultimate breakfast chef, you could find him monitoring global politics, studying eschatology, or planning his next exciting vacation.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Joy, of 37 years and their two daughters: Amy Elizabeth Sweat and Anna Grace (Sweat) Kelly; along with his son-in-law Caleb Wright Kelly and his grandson Michael Dean Kelly. He is also survived by his older sister Karen (Sweat) Feger.

Family and friends will be celebrating his life on Friday, September 19th. Visitation will be 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, followed by a service at 12:30 pm at Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville, Ohio.