Michael Ketterer, a worship leader at Influence Church and former member of United Pursuit, brought all four judges to their feet during his America’s Got Talent audition. Ketterer and his wife have six children, five of whom they adopted out of child care.
“My family is the reason I’m here,” Ketterer says. “One of the things that happens, especially because my children came out of foster care, when you’re surviving, you can’t dream. And that has been one of the most rewarding things, providing them with a home and a safe environment where they are free to dream.
In addition to serving as a worship pastor, Ketterer is also a pediatric mental health nurse. Judge Simon Cowell says he didn’t expect Ketterer to blow him away: “You were so nervous, I was concerned for you. But I think sometimes, actions speak louder than words.” Cowell then hit the gold buzzer, which puts Ketterer straight through the ranks to the live shows.