Mark and his wife of 30+ plus years, Elizabeth, joined us on the adventure of ministry on June 1st of 2023. They have three adult children: Laura, Ross, and John who are scattered throughout the country in higher education endeavors and working. They also have 2 adopted Labrador Retrievers: Pistol Pete and Joy Belle.
Mark has served in ministry since he was 16 years old, starting as a part-time summer custodian in his home church, Bartlesville First United Methodist Church. He has served in nearly every facet of ministry except directing the choir. Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a minor in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University and a Master of Divinity from Emory University. He served several churches early in ministry as a Youth Director in Enid, Grove, and Decatur, Georgia before being ordained. Since ordination he has served in Tahlequah, Hennessey, Broken Arrow, Muskogee, Oklahoma City, and Idabel.
Mark’s gifts have availed him the opportunity to live out his calling by helping churches to restart and discover a fresh vision for reaching the next generation and helping them become Jesus followers. He believes we are all God’s children and thus we are loved by God regardless. God’s love is unimaginable and beyond our limited comprehension. A love that is “agape” in the Greek meaning without condition and ‘Hesed” in the Hebrew meaning steadfast love – never wavering. God never gives up on us and loves people on their best days and their worst days. Mark believes that is the good news manifested in Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection which is empowered in each person to share with all our neighbors through the Holy Spirit. Mark has experienced this love personally as the only cure for our hurts and brokenness in each of our lives and in our world as a whole.
Mark invites you to come experience and know this radical love of God through the church family here at Duncan First United Methodist Church. The Bible is God’s love letter to all of humanity. Mark invites you to join us on this adventure of love, growing closer to God and all our neighbors each day.