Michael J. Stoops
(3 Episodes)

Mikel Stoops is a dedicated Mason who has devoted his life to the Craft. He was born and raised in north-central Indiana, where he was introduced to Freemasonry by his grandfather, William Johnson, who was a Mason for almost 70 years. Mikel moved to Kansas in 1995, and in 2009, he joined De Soto Lodge No. 40, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become Master in 2013.

Since then, Mikel has held numerous leadership positions at the local and Grand Lodge levels in Kansas. He has served as secretary of De Soto Lodge No. 40, Master of Palmyra Lodge No. 23, Grand Junior Steward, District Deputy Grand Master in District 40, and Area Deputy Grand Master of Area 2. He has also served on the board of the Kansas Masonic Foundation and on multiple Grand Lodge committees.

In March of 2017, Mikel was appointed Grand Senior Deacon, and in March of 2018, he was elected Grand Junior Warden of Kansas. He subsequently served as Grand Senior Warden in 2019 and Grand Master in 2020, after serving the 2019-2020 Masonic year as Deputy Grand Master.

Mikel has had the rare privilege of raising his father, Richard Stoops, in Tippecanoe Lodge #492 in Indiana, and he was honored to serve as the Installing Master for his father's installation as Master of that same Lodge.

Mikel is committed to the mission of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, which is to encourage and support Freemasonry by assisting its constituent lodges to achieve success and prosperity as assets to their membership and communities. He believes that the Grand Lodge exists to provide structure and support to its constituent Lodges and, through them, Kansas Masons and Kansas communities.

Mikel draws inspiration from the commitment to the Craft that he witnessed from former Grand Masters Reichert and Presley during the 2012 Grand Lodge Strategic planning process. He hopes to follow their standards and lead Kansas Masonry to a bright and prosperous future.