He and his brother Nicolas became part of the humanist–evangelical circle which flourished in Paris in the early 1530s.
[1] They were both forced to flee the city in 1534 after Nicolas preached a sermon in favour of the Reformation, which created a Catholic backlash.
Michel went to Basel, and remained there until 1545, at which time he moved to Geneva, where he served as a minister until his death.
[1] Scott Manetsch notes that "throughout the 1540s, Calvin worked tirelessly to construct a pastoral company of men who were committed to the reformed faith, competent in their pastoral duties, and loyal to him – and no one satisfied these requirements any better than Michel Cop.
"[2] Calvin described Cop as "a man of exceptional piety and doctrine" with an intelligence "more profound than his appearance suggests.