Michael was born in Cardiff in 1928, and came to faith in Christ in 1942 at a Christ’s Hospital School Christian Union meeting, under the preaching of an exiled German pastor. Studying Natural Sciences at Peterhouse College, Cambridge, he served on the Executive Committee of the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union in several positions, including as President. He graduated in 1952, but stayed on at Ridley Hall to train for Anglican ministry. At this time Michael met his wife Valerie, at a conference on English Puritans at Martyn Lloyd Jones’ Westminster Chapel.