Mark was not raised in a Christian home, but accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior in the summer after graduating from high school. That fall at Missouri State University, Mark got involved in the Chi Alpha ministry on that campus. It was through Chi Alpha that his faith grew. He continued in many different leadership roles over the years while a student there.

​

After his undergraduate degree, Mark
attended the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary earning a Master’s Degree. From there he went and served as a Youth Pastor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for 7 years before being appointed the District Youth and Education Director for the
District of Iowa.

 

Mark held that position with the Iowa District for 20 years. During that time, he helped raise millions of dollars for Speed the Light, and worked with many missionaries. He took AIM teams to many places in the world most every year. Venezuela, Belarus and Russia were a few of places he took teams. He took a team of 89 people to Belarus and Russia, including the District Superintendent.

​

Missions has always been a big part of
Mark’s life and ministry. Most recently, he served as the Lead Pastor of Northridge Assembly of God in Grand Island, Nebraska for the last 16 years. He turned that church into a “missions church,” focusing on supporting more and more missionaries every year while also supporting Global University, Fire Bible, Network 211, BGMC, Speed the Light, Teen Challenge, and several Chi Alpha ministries around the country.

​

The last several years, Mark worked
assisting the Nebraska LFTL Director, Kevin Roach, and coordinated the LFTL tour in the Central part of Nebraska. In 2024, Nebraska led the nation in
Districts/Networks of any size, with 60% of the churches giving to LFTL.

Mark has been married to his wife, Paula, for 45 years. They have 3 grown sons, and 4 grandchildren. Paula is also an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God, and has previously served as the Woman’s Ministry Director for the Iowa District. She
is a very gifted speaker to women and
young girls. She attended the Assemblies of God Seminary and Evangel University after earning an undergraduate degree.

​

Mark and Paula have stepped away from pastoring in April of 2025 to be closer to their grandkids, and to travel and encourage churches in any area, especially in the area of Missions.