Where Two or Three Are Gathered
A fellowship of faith, candor, and sacred brotherhood and sisterhood — gathered in the smoke, sharpened by one another.
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." — Matthew 18:20
The Communion of the Smoke
Born at the US Embassy, Baghdad
Holy Smokes Ministry was founded by Michael Ryan Burke at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq — a place where fellowship, camaraderie, and the sharing of the Word were not luxuries but lifelines. Gathered in the smoke, those present found encouragement, brotherhood, and the presence of God in one of the most demanding environments on earth.
What began in Baghdad has grown to Florida, the Carolinas, Kansas City, and Columbia, Missouri — and it is still growing. Holy Smokes is constituted wherever three or more are assembled in Christian fellowship. The smoke is a visible reminder that those gathered have deliberately stepped away from the noise of the world and entered a place of fellowship, candor, prayer, reflection, and trust.
What follows is undertaken in the presence of God and in confidence with one another. We speak freely. We listen carefully. We judge slowly. We counsel faithfully. We protect one another's confidence.
Three constitute the quorum. Christ is at the center. Confidence is sacred.
From Baghdad to America
Still Growing Strong
What Michael started at the US Embassy in Baghdad has taken root across the United States. Holy Smokes Ministry is active and growing — find your quorum.
Baghdad, Iraq
Founded at the US Embassy · The original quorum
Columbia, Missouri
Michael's hometown · Active and growing
Kansas City, Missouri
Active fellowship
Florida
Active fellowship
The Carolinas
Active fellowship
The Covenant
What Is Said in the Smoke Stays in the Smoke
Before substantive conversation begins, those gathered acknowledge the covenant. Within this fellowship there is no attribution. No confidence entrusted to the gathering will be carried beyond it without the express permission of the person who entrusted it.
Speak Freely
The gathering is a place where difficult things may be spoken because those present understand the responsibility of hearing them.
Listen Carefully
We judge slowly. We counsel faithfully. We protect one another's confidence. No trust will be breached.
Sharpen One Another
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Scripture, testimony, counsel — the heart of the gathering.
The Ritual
The Kindling of the Smoke
The Quorum
Three or more are assembled. The cigars remain unlit until all are prepared to enter into fellowship.
The Opening Prayer
One person is selected to offer the opening prayer — inviting God's presence, asking for wisdom, giving thanks for those gathered and those absent.
The Sharpening of Steel
Scripture. Testimony. The Tough Stuff. Counsel. The gathering makes room for conversations often avoided elsewhere.
The Libation of Remembrance
A glass is placed apart. The Cup of Remembrance — for those whose chairs are empty, those who have gone before us.
The Closing Prayer
The gathering concludes in prayer. Courage to act. Wisdom in what must remain private. Strength for those carrying burdens.
The Extinguishing
"The fire may fade. The smoke may clear. The fellowship remains." The Communion of the Smoke is closed.
The Libation of Remembrance
For Those Whose Chairs Are Empty
Before the gathering closes, the table remembers those who should be at the table but cannot be — those traveling, those serving elsewhere, those suffering, and especially those who have fallen and gone before us.
"For those who walked beside us. For those who would be here if they could. For those whose chairs are now empty. They are absent from our table, but not from our remembrance.
In Memoriam · Founder
Michael Ryan Burke
October 27, 1983 — January 18, 2026
Staff Sergeant, USMC · Force Reconnaissance · Knight Templar, Grand Prior · Founder, Holy Smokes Ministry
He gathered the quorum. He lit the first smoke. He sharpened iron.
Michael Ryan Burke founded Holy Smokes Ministry at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq — bringing fellowship, encouragement, and the Word of God to those serving in one of the world's most demanding environments. He was a Force Reconnaissance Marine, a church planter, a Columbia firefighter, a Knight Templar Grand Prior-elect, and a tireless defender of the vulnerable.
He baptized seven in the Jordan River. He preached in Uganda, the Philippines, Kenya, and London. He fought human trafficking. He funded schools and churches across Africa and Asia. He kept Oasis Church open in Baghdad through security threats and COVID lockdowns. He gave everything he had — to his country, to his faith, and to the people around him.
Michael passed away on January 18, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. He was 42 years old. The ministry he founded in Baghdad now spans Florida, the Carolinas, Kansas City, and Columbia — and it is still growing. Every gathering is a memorial to the man who first called the quorum.
Force Reconnaissance Marine
Staff Sergeant, USMC. Deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Semper Fidelis.
Knight Templar · Grand Prior
Grand Prior-elect of the St. Louis The Crusader Priory. A sworn defender of the faith — courage, piety, and the protection of the sacred.
Church Planter · Baghdad
Founded Oasis Church at the US Embassy in Baghdad. Kept it open through security threats and COVID. A shepherd in a war zone.
Defender of the Vulnerable
Fought human trafficking. Funded schools and churches in Africa and Asia. Baptized seven in the Jordan River.
Columbia Firefighter
Served the city of Columbia, Missouri as a firefighter — running toward danger, protecting his neighbors.
Founder · Holy Smokes Ministry
Called the first quorum. Lit the first smoke. Built a fellowship that now spans continents and will outlast his years.
"For those who walked beside us. For those who would be here if they could. For those whose chairs are now empty.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." — John 15:13
Semper Fi, Brother. The smoke rises still.
Get Involved
Answer the Call
The smoke is rising. The brotherhood is gathering. Whether you want to start a chapter in your city or send cigars and fellowship to deployed warriors overseas — there is a place for you in this ministry.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." — John 15:13