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. I'm looking forward to continue to minister for the Lord and give hope to the current generation and the generations that are to come!
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 of Ben Davis University.
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!"