Mikkel Michelsen

<profile hijacked for #ixd16 purposes :-) >

I'm so sorry, but I can't attend Interaction16 this year! I've been part of it since the first event in Savannah 2008 and thought I'd remain a hardcore IxDA conference bum, but this time, I can't go.

Two years ago, through a series of events in my life, Jesus came knocking (he knocks on your heart too, will you answer?). I answered, and gave my life to him. Because he did it for me. That meant a radical change for me. Finding real truth when you thought God doesn't exist will do that.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I started making friends with African Christians in my city, which has lead me to do support projects for ministries abroad. During the week of #Ixd16, I will be in Lusaka, Zambia. While there, the senior pastor and I will plant a new church. The service will be attended be government leaders and city officials. Besides, we are birthing initiatives for education and transportation in this country of immense opportunity.

So, it's with a strange feeling that I break my streak of attending all @ixdconf 's since the inception of Interaction Design, as one of the Team Awesomes and #ixdlifers. On the other hand, serving Jesus and furthering His Kingdom is the most important anyone can ever do. I cannot miss it.

Hope to see you all next year.

Be the way, I still do UX. I recently left my Lead UX position @ebay, now leading a Experience Design team at Denmarks largest online retailer. It's awesome, and so is Jesus.