Michael J. Montague February 21, 1987 - September 28, 2025

Michael James Montague

February 21, 1987 – September 27, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Michael James Montague on September 27, 2025.

Michael was born on February 21, 1987 in Kitchener-Waterloo and moved to Dryden with his family when he was young.

Michael is survived by his parents, Bruce and Donna Montague, his brother Steven (wife Heather, children Evelyn & James), and sister Katey (husband Josh, children Abel, Molly, Nora, Samson, and Judah).

Michael was an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church, and pastored in Red Lake from 2012-2023, and then moved to Dryden in 2023 and shepherded Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Dryden and St. Mark’s church in Vermilion Bay.

Michael lived to serve the people of God, and everybody around him could see his love for Christ and others.

Michael’s life was about pointing people to Christ, and so he would not want this obituary to be about him; he would want it to be about Jesus.

Michael was keenly aware that he was a sinner and has “fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Mike also knew that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). God is a Holy God, and he is too pure to look upon sin (Habakkuk 1:13).

If this is all true, then what hope was there for Michael? How do we, as Michael’s family take comfort in his death? We take comfort in the fact that Michael was clothed in Christ’s righteousness. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life of righteousness, satisfying all of the requirements of God’s law. Jesus also died as a substitute for the sins of his people. The gospel is the only comfort that we take in Michael’s death, because in it we have confidence that Michael was clothed with Christ’s righteousness, and that his sins were paid for by Christ’s blood.  Through faith in Christ, Michael had everything that he needed to be in right standing before God.

We are all going to die. This is a tough reality, and one that many people avoid thinking about. Hebrews 9:27 says that “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement.” Michael died suddenly, with no warning. It is easy to think that we have a long life ahead of us, but that may not be the case. The reality of death is terrifying for those outside of Christ, but it was not a terrifying thought for Michael. One of Michael’s favorite sayings was “heaven will be great”.

Michael is in heaven right now, not because he was good, but because Christ is good. Michael is in heaven by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. There is no other way of salvation than through Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Galatians 4:4-5 – “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

There will be a viewing, October 3rd, 6:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M, at the Lutheran Church.

A Funeral Service & Luncheon will take place, 11:00 A.M, October 4th, at the Lutheran Church. A Graveside Burial will follow, at the Oxdrift Cemetery.