About Mark

AGE:

43

MARRIED:

To Jaqui for 23 years. (We met at a Christian youth camp in 1981 when we were 17)

CHILDREN:

Three daughters (hence the grey hairs!)

• Lauren (Married Dec 07)
• Katie
• Megan

EARLY YEARS:

Brought up in the Exclusive Brethren until approx age 12. I'm surprisingly normal for all that! It has made me greatly appreciate the message of Grace though. Baptised in water aged 15.

Left school at 16 and became an apprentice at a famous gardening company - Hilliers - Appointment to the Queen and Queen Mother no less! (Gardening has continued to be a real interest of mine, especially creating water features). After a motorbike accident I went to work for my Dad - sales and distribution.

BIBLE COLLEGE:

In 1984 through the encouragement of friends, and the awareness of a childhood 'call' from God, Jaqui and I began to attend evening classes at Moorlands Bible Collage, Dorset. In 1985 as a result of God's clear leading we moved to Bournemouth, to begin a two year full time diploma course in Biblical studies. It was during this time that I came to understand and to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. 1987 brought a third year in Pastoral studies and a Pastoral placement at Alder Rd Baptist Church, Parkstone, Poole.

In 1988 Alder Rd offered me a place on the full time staff, as Full time worker for Youth and Evangelism. Then followed 5 years involvement in many areas of church life, including launching an 'overflow' congregation that became a church plant.

SWINDON CALL:

In January 1993 God began to speak very clearly about laying down my plans and being willing to be available to him. Over the next few months God continued to speak very clearly to me in a number of different ways. So much so that as a family we moved that August to Swindon, to be involved in a Newfrontiers church plant there. This work was being led by Andrew Leakey a former member of Alder Road!

RECENT YEARS:

For the next eight years I worked part time for the Bible Society in Swindon and part time for the church. Again I had the privilege of being involved in many areas of church life, including, the worship team, children's and youth work and preaching.

ELDERSHIP:

In the autumn of 2001 I was invited to join the full time staff at Swindon Family Church. I also had the great privilege of being brought into the Eldership of the church.

TRANSITION AND CHANGE:

In the early spring of 2003 Andrew and Chris Leakey heard a clear call from God to move to Bath and to begin a new work there. After prayer and discussion and good support from a number leaders in the wider Newfrontiers family, I was asked to take a lead in the new emerging leadership team for the next phase of the life of Swindon Family Church.

AMAZED:

I am constantly amazed at the way God leads and guides us, and I look forward with faith and excitement to see what he will do in us and with us in the days ahead.