Staff Profile: Micah “Whip-Flash” Howard

What do you get when you combine marathon training, wisdom-packed quotes from Teddy Roosevelt, and a camp name like “Whip-Flash”? You get Micah: a leader with an unmatched blend of energy, humor, and faith. Follow along as Micah takes us through his favorite Athens hangouts, his dad’s timeless advice on failure, and how God is shaping him as a leader. Oh, and he reveals the story behind “Whip-Flash!” Trust us, it’s worth the read.

How did you find your way to Pine Cove, and what is your role now?

In 2003, my parents were invited to be family camp speakers at the Bluffs during its inaugural year. That’s pretty cool, right? We’re from Nashville—born and raised—and I’m one of four boys. Growing up, my parents were always in ministry. My dad worked with a ministry called Search and partnered with Fellowship Bible Church in Franklin, Tennessee. This church has had a lot of historical connections to Pine Cove, through folks like Bill Wellons and Mario Zandstra. So, the dots connected, and Pine Cove entered our family’s story.

That year, we packed up—party of six—and made the drive to Texas. I’ll never forget that week at the Bluffs. It was incredible. Our first counselor, Rockstar, was not only our family devo counselor but also on the worship team. At the end of the week, he gave us his guitar as a gift. Pine Cove wasn’t just a camp; it became the highlight of our family’s year. From there, I attended Pine Cove every summer until 2013. I started at the Towers in fifth grade, then moved on to the Ranch, the Timbers, and finally the Shores. I even got into the Young Gun program, but I broke my leg right before it started. That year, I was set to work under Grant Seifried as my straw boss, but with the injury, it didn’t happen. But now, he’s my boss! 

Fast forward to my sophomore year of college, and I worked as a counselor at the Ranch. After that summer, life took me into the corporate world for almost a decade. I worked in consulting and sales in Charlotte, North Carolina, partnering with HR teams to design benefits and employee engagement programs. I enjoyed the people part of my job, but I wrestled with the ulterior motivations tied to corporate success. The greatest joy during that season came from seeing God at work through relationships.

In April of this year, during my youngest brother Brooks’ bachelor party, I was sharing all of this with my brothers. Brooks, in typical Brooks fashion, said, “Dude, if you don’t apply for that director position at Pine Cove in the Southeast, I’m going to call them myself and apply for you.” So, I did. And now, here I am—back at Pine Cove—getting to live out what God has called me to do.

How’d you get your camp name?

My camp name is Whip-Flash, and the name came during the end of orientation in 2015. That year, the “Whip” dance was all the rage, and I was leading dance circles doing it all weekend. They asked me about it, so I showed off my moves, and that became part of my name.

They also asked if I liked superheroes—my favorite is Batman—but they tied it to the Flash since I ran track in college. Then, they asked if I’d been in car accidents (I had). So, they combined the Whip dance, the Flash’s speed, and the whiplash from car accidents, and the name stuck. Now, I go by Whip-Flash—or just Whip for fun.

What does your ideal Saturday include?

My ideal Saturday starts early, before dawn, with something outdoors—maybe a run, fishing, or hunting—so that I’m finishing as the sun rises. Afterward, I’d stop by a small, local breakfast spot for coffee and whatever the locals recommend. Back home, I’d spend some quiet time outside with coffee, reading Scripture, and jotting down thoughts. Then, I’d wake my boys, wrestle with them, and head out as a family to a park for football and a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, I’d golf with friends, then in the evening, take my wife out for dinner at a fun, waterfront spot. We’d wrap up the day with friends for a game night or, in a perfect world, catch an exciting new movie late at night.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I’m passionate about sports, especially basketball and golf, and I’m a big football fan. Music is another love—I’m a bit of a connoisseur and enjoy most genres except “screamo.” I’m also a huge movie guy. I love analyzing hidden biblical narratives in films and sparking conversations about them. Sharing strong opinions, or “hot takes,” to create healthy discussions is something I enjoy too. On the creative side, I dabble in woodworking and love building things. Finally, I’m an avid reader, consuming books, audiobooks, and podcasts to keep learning and exploring new ideas.

What are you most looking forward to in your role?

I’m excited about this role for four reasons. For me: this job aligns with my gifts and passions—creating spaces for people to step outside their comfort zones and grow in their faith. For my family: I love that my family gets to be involved. My boys will learn from the college students, and my wife can mentor young women. For the families coming to camp: I’m eager to connect with campers and their families, learn their stories, and encourage them in their faith journeys. For college students: I’m looking forward to investing in students during this pivotal season of life, offering encouragement and guidance as they navigate their paths.

Ultimately, I see this role as a sweet gift from God, and I’m grateful to step into it.

Tell us about your sons!

My wife Abby and I have two boys. Walker, our three-and-a-half-year-old, is obsessed with trains and loves golf. Then there’s Judah Banks, who’s six months old and loves being around people. I actually signed my contract with Pine Cove right before Judah was born in early June. He came into the world on June 5th. Those first few weeks were a whirlwind—finishing up at my previous company, going on paternity leave, and then heading to family camp at the Woods when Judah was just four weeks old. But it was such a sweet time for our family.

I know you love movies and finding hidden biblical narratives. Do you have a favorite movie or one that stands out to you?

One of my favorite animated movies is Tarzan, and my favorite animated series is How to Train Your Dragon. Honestly, How to Train Your Dragon had no business being as good as it is. The stakes feel real, the relationships are deep, and the consequences are intense. All three movies just pull you in.

But if we’re talking about biblical narratives, The Dark Knight trilogy is unmatched. Batman is my favorite character in movies because, outside of being wealthy, there’s nothing inherently special about him. He’s just a man who experienced unimaginable trauma and made the choice to put others above himself. That’s the essence of the Gospel. The ending of The Dark Knight is particularly powerful. Batman’s choice to take on the sins of Gotham City so that Harvey Dent’s reputation remains untarnished is such a Christ-like moment. The Joker’s true victory wasn’t chaos; it was corrupting Harvey Dent. But Batman chooses to bear the weight of those crimes, even though he did nothing wrong. When Gordon’s son asks, “Why is he doing this?” and Gordon replies, “Because he can take it,” I get chills every time. Batman’s sacrifice to protect the city’s hope reminds me of Jesus taking on our sins. And don’t even get me started on the music during that scene. It’s phenomenal.

Because you love hot takes, what are some of your favorites?

Oh, I’ve got plenty of hot takes! First, cheese pizza is a scam. Let me explain. At some point, a parent at a kid’s birthday party decided their child wouldn’t eat toppings and ordered a plain cheese pizza. Then, pizza companies realized they could market it as an actual “topping” and charge full price. Now, we have adults who willingly order cheese pizza, thinking it’s a valid option. It’s not. It’s just bread and cheese, people!

Another one: we should never see men’s toes unless we’re at the beach or pool. Flip flops and jeans? Absolutely not. 

So far, what are your favorite spots in Athens?

I’m still getting to know Athens, but a couple of places stand out already. Sandy Creek Park is one of them. There’s a big lake there, and it’s beautiful. I actually got lost on the trail a couple of weeks ago while running, but it turned out to be a happy accident because I got to take in so much of the scenery. It’s a fantastic spot to just enjoy nature.

And then there’s this place called The Spot. That’s its actual name, and it lives up to it. It was the first place my family and I ate when we moved to Athens, and it’s just incredible. Honestly, it’s already become one of our go-to places. Perfect food, great vibes—it’s hard to beat.

Who are some of the people who’ve had the greatest impact on your faith?

Oh man, where do I start? My dad is at the top of the list, no question. He’s shaped so much of who I am, especially when it comes to waking up to life with passion and purpose. He always told us growing up, “You’re free to fail, but you’re not free not to try.” That stuck with me. It’s about getting in the arena and giving it your all, even if you might fail.

Beyond my dad, there have been groups and individuals who’ve had a big impact. In college, I was part of a Christian fraternity, BYX, and the older guys there really influenced me—Tanner Kent, Scotty Hill, Chase Knot, and Stephen Henry. They showed me you can be both deeply spiritual and completely yourself. And one of my greatest friends, Jacob Noorbergen—he showed me the person of Jesus in a way I hadn’t seen before. It was confusing at first because he wasn’t doing it to impress anyone or out of obligation. He lived it out authentically, and that made me realize there was something in the Bible and in Jesus that was worth exploring for myself. It’s like the blindfold came off, and I could finally see.

What’s the Lord teaching you right now?

Recently, I heard this phrase that I can’t shake: “There’s more in the warehouse than in the showroom.” A guy named Mike Lynch said it, and it’s stuck with me. It’s about focusing on what’s beneath the surface: your character, your walk with God, the things nobody else sees. In this season of leadership, I feel God inviting me to invest in the “warehouse” of my soul, to spend more time with Him, and let what comes out in the “showroom” be a reflection of that. It’s easy to get caught up in what you’re building or accomplishing, but if that’s all I focus on, I risk missing what matters most—my relationship with God, my wife, my family.

I don’t want to look back one day and realize I was so focused on leading well in public that I neglected leading well at home. That’s the kind of reality check I’m constantly praying about—making sure the way I live aligns with who God is calling me to be. Right now, it’s about seeking Him first, trusting that everything else will follow.