My Story
Hello, my name is Mark!
I am an Indianapolis native with a passion to bring positive change in the lives of people and communities. I pursue this passion of change through my professional work as a minister, educator, and poet.
As A Minister:
I felt the call of God in my life from a very young age. I was always drawn to the stories of the Bible and the principles learned from them. Most of all I was drawn to the sacrificial love that Jesus expressed in the gospels. At the age of six I decided to be baptized and at the age of eight I received the Holy Spirit. Throughout my adolescent and young adult life I continued to deepen my connection with God. In 2010 I became an ordained license minister. Next, I pursued and received my Masters In Divinity from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2019. Afterward, in 2020 I became the Assistant Pastor of Young Adults of New Wineskin Ministries.
Throughout my life I am inspired by Matthew 1:23 which states, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is, being interpreted, ‘God with us.’” The final part of this verse of scripture has is key to my life and to the passion that I hold. God with us and I truly believe that God is with us. I know this because I overcame years of low self-esteem and I encountered God’s love. And as I encountered His love I realized that God truly embraces us despite any faults. I found He is not seeking my flaws, but He seeks me. God’s love strengthened my emotions, my mind, and the view on life. Likewise, another encounter I had with God was placing a deeper trust in Him. After I realized that I am accepted and loved by God; I reflected on the poor decisions and habits I made within that time and saw how it has shaped my life in the present. I was racked with regret and the pain that I could not change the past. But, God, encountered me in a process of forgiveness. I forgave myself, I forgave people, I forgave God. The forgiveness removed all the shame and the blame. I released condemning myself and I took up accountability. I released people’s opinions and I took up the truth of who I am. I released blaming God for circumstances and I began to trust Him. I found God knows this life and everything in it and I trust Him with mine; past, present, and future.
I am excited to share and release this freedom and truth that God is with us; through all of life’s experiences with you!
As An Educator:
Education is one of my passion points in both delivering knowledge to my students, but also in the connection with them. Growth is an ever ongoing process and in every stage of life and it transforms us from who we were into what we are becoming. As an educator it is one of the great joys of my life to help my students in their ever growing process.
My practical experiences include ten years as professional educator; teaching 9th through 12th grade social studies. The areas of teaching include Ancient World History, Modern World History, American History, U.S. Government, and Economics. Teaching a diversity of subjects and grade levels has allowed me to infuse analytical and cultural points to make lessons personal for student success. I have also conducted a live international communication meeting between my students in the United States and with students from the country of Jordan through a program called “Youth Talk.”
Also in the year of 2023 I was nominated and received the most influential teacher award from the 2023 graduating class.
As A Poet:
In 2022 I published my first book titled Poems From The Heart. This a collection of poetry I have written from high school through college. I have found that some of the best therapeutic moments in my life have come through writing. I truly feel that words and their expression allows issues that reside within my heart to be released. Creative expression is essential to one’s growth and allows for us to take brave steps into talents and ideas that often lay dormant. But now is the time to awaken the creative sparks within us. In the future, I plan publishing new books, music, and art.
I do want to leave you all with a small excerpt from one of my favorite poems that is titled “Stand.”
Therefore, I implore you to continue
And, Brave that fearful squall
Climb that mountain tall
Rise upon that wind; you will not fall
Shout aloud in chorus saying
I am here!
I am here!
I am here!
I Will Stand!