Pastor Mark loves to preach and teach the Word of God and has been doing so as a pastor, lay elder, deacon, teacher... for over a decade. His preaching style is expository, so that the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) will be heard, and there will be no famine of hearing the words of the LORD (Amos 8:11). His intention is to preach the Holy Spirit-inspired Word to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, not to pander to the world so that everyone is entertained. Details of his convictions are in the Statement of Faith and Philosophy of Ministry on this web site.

Mark lived in South Carolina, Georgia, Kansas City, Chicago, and Cincinnati growing up, before going to Atlanta (Georgia Tech; BS Physics) and San Diego (SDSU; 36 graduate hours) for college education in Physics. But he is certain he really went to San Diego to meet Linda and parent their four children Kristina (married to Jake and living in San Diego), Matthew, Marissa, and Rebecca. While in San Diego, Mark actively served in his local church as a teacher and elder. He also volunteered in the community in various capacities (community event leader, Scout leader, and basketball and baseball coach) while working as a computer software developer. Linda worked as a teacher and nursery worker at church, and as a Scout leader and home-school mom.

In 1996, he became certain that God was calling him to full-time ministry. People in his classes began to ask him if he would consider it. All Bible study and prayer time seemed to convict him of it. God was developing his character and confirming his gifting, but Mark had never had the desire to pastor until then. He and Linda had long been daily listeners to Grace To You, the radio ministry of John MacArthur, so he knew that The Master’s Seminary was where he wanted to apply. After five years of working/ministering/studying he graduated in May 2002 (M. Div.).

Having pastored in a few churches, and served actively in a few more, Pastor Mark has seen the Bible’s teaching on proper elder leadership confirmed in every way. It can be, and should be, the best form of church government: servant leadership by under-shepherds who humbly lead the sheep, without lording over them. He has also seen several churches now in which leaders were hasty in the laying on of hands (1Ti 5:22) resulting in dishonorable, unqualified, prideful leadership: the worst form of church polity. Phariseeism is the result—legalism plus authoritarianism—in an attempt to appear godly and deceive God’s people. This will be aggressively resisted at Grace Community Church.

The following is a partial listing of Mark’s ministry experience:

• Preaching: Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, at a Rehab center, pulpit supply.
• Teaching: Young Marrieds at three churches; Wednesday afternoon to adults; Thursday evening to teens; Sunday evening to adults ("Heritage of the Bible" series); weekly Bible studies at four different work sites; a discipleship group; "Fundamentals of the Faith"; primary Sunday School classes at two churches; Home Bible Fellowships for four years; and started a monthly Sunday night lecture series to equip the saints.
• Administration: Oversaw teachers, youth leader, curriculum, classes, space, etc., for Sunday School. Designed and created ministry materials such as visitor cards, letters, brochures, and a visitor’s map of the Church. Organized greeters and ushers. Oversaw organization of church library. Published a monthly church newsletter in three churches and revised constitution & bylaws in two churches.
• Evangelism: Developed evangelism curriculum and conducted training in two churches.
• Other: marriage & family counseling; visitation; aided the pastor in baptisms, counted offerings; coordinated the nursery with Linda; elder; deacon; church merger; finances; building purchase and expansion.