PHOTO GALLERY: Mike Bonham balances roles as pastor, chaplain and campaigner with faith

May 31, 2012 | 6:00 a.m. CDT

Maries County Chaplain Mike Bonham is running for Osage County Sheriff. The way Bonham sees it, ministers are in the world to make a difference, and he said that being sheriff would be a way to use his God-given potential to take on societal problems.

Mike Bonham directs traffic March 1 on a highway in Maries County as firefighters put out a brush fire up the road. Although Bonham is the Maries County chaplain, his day-to-day duties are much like those of a deputy. | Kellie Kotraba

This photo from April 22 shows the Grace Family Worship Center in Belle, which used to be a car dealership showroom. Mike Bonham, the pastor, is running for sheriff of Osage County. Although his church is in Maries County, where he also serves as chaplain, he lives in Osage County. | Kellie Kotraba

Mike Bonham stands behind the pulpit at his church, Grace Family Worship Center, after a Sunday morning service on April 22. Seven people attended service that day, but that's fairly normal for the church. | Kellie Kotraba

Mike Bonham, the Maries County chaplain, takes notes about storm damage during a conference call with the State Emergency Management Agency on March 1. He has earned several certifications through both the state and federal emergency management agencies. | Kellie Kotraba

Mike Bonham puts up balloons at a campaign event in Linn on April 21. As a candidate for Osage County Sheriff, he has been holding meet-and-greet events throughout the county. At this event, he and his family and friends served food to passers-by as a fundraiser. | Kellie Kotraba

Mike Bonham, left, a candidate for Osage County Sheriff, talks with Randy Wagner and Owen Wagner at a campaign event in Linn on April 21. Owen Wagner, Randy Wagner's father, is Bonham's treasurer. Bonham told the men about a recent pursuit and arrest made in Maries County, where he serves as chaplain. | Kellie Kotraba

Maries County Chaplain Mike Bonham talks to the driver of a truck after pulling him over for speeding in Maries County on March 1. Bonham let the man off with a warning — this time. As state-commissioned law enforcement, Bonham has the authority to write tickets and arrest people. He and the sheriff's deputies sometimes joke about people getting caught by the chaplain. | Kellie Kotraba