Originally from Portland, OR, Pastor Mark grew up at Hillsdale Community Church, UCC. Undergraduate studies in International Studies and Peace and Conflict resolution at American University in Washington, DC were followed by two years with the United Church of Christ Volunteer Ministries and AmeriCorps. Mark volunteered first in Henderson, KY and then he returned to DC to volunteer at Christ House with the ecumenical Church of the Saviour.
Following his volunteer service, Mark worked and lived in intentional Christian community for seven years at Christ House, a medical facility for the homeless in DC. Mark met his wife, Julia, when she was a volunteer at Christ House and it continues to hold a particularly special place in their hearts and lives. In 2004, Mark was hired as the Administrative Director/Chief Operating Officer Christ House’s sister agency, Columbia Road Health Services, a primary care clinic for immigrant and low-income families. Mark work at CRHS (which has now merged with Unity Health Care) until leaving for seminary.
Mark earned his M.Div. from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis in 2009, distinguished by a fellowship from the Fund for Theological Education. Mark adopted St. Louis as home and was called to be Minister for Education and Mission at St. Lucas UCC, served on the Missouri Mid-South Conference Council, and was a delegate to multiple General Synods.
Mark and Julia moved to Philadelphia in early 2016 to be close to her family. Later that year, Mark was called as Pastor to St. Paul’s UCC in Fort Washington, PA, where he currently serves. Mark is the Vice-Moderator for the North Penn Association (UCC), a member of the Consistory for the Pennsylvania SE Conference (UCC), actively engaged in the interfaith community through the Wissahickon Valley Community Association, and periodically a guest preacher at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Spring House, PA.
Mark and Julia have a young daughter, a dog, a cat, and a very full life.