Pastor Mark, Stacy, Kate and Brooke
My Story
I grew up in Arlington Heights, IL with wonderful parents and two loving sisters. However, as a kid, teenager, and even a young adult, life was all about me and sports. I played three sports in high school and went on to be a PE teacher and football coach in Chicago. I was an athlete and coach who cared little for the things of God. That all changed in 2001 when I was twenty-five years old and a friend asked me to come with him to Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, IL. God was preparing my heart for this time, and as I walked into the church and listened to the worship and experienced conviction from the Word of God - my life changed forever! I heard the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ and put my faith and trust in Him as Savior and Lord.
God at that point began to renew my mind, change my heart, and give me a great passion for ministry. I left my teaching and coaching job in 2005 and started seminary at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. Around the same time I also began to serve as the High School Pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel in Naperville, IL (the first church plant of Harvest Bible Chapel). It was a great joy to serve the students and families of Harvest. After three years of ministry work and the completion of my Master’s degree, I was accepted into the James MacDonald founded Harvest Bible Fellowship Training Center – an eight month program designed to provide practical and theological instruction to prepare men to serve as Senior Pastors. This was a humbling and exciting time as I gave my life for preparation to one day lead a church body for the glory of God.
In 2010, as the training center was coming to an end, God was faithful in leading me to where he wanted me to serve Him. I sensed a great call to leave Chicago and come to Houston to be a Pastor here at Harvest. It took overcoming many obstacles and miles to get here, but God cared for every detail, and I am so glad he led me to this church family. As I served here as the Adult Ministries Pastor for nearly two years, I got to do life with a group of amazing people that I like to call “an uncommon community for Christ.” This is such a loving and faithful group of believers. It is why I was so excited and grateful to step into the role of Senior Pastor in January of 2012. The Bible says that God is the one who establishes our steps (Proverbs 16:9) and I am so glad he has brought me to Harvest Bible Chapel Houston!
My Life Verse
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20
My Family
In 2005, Stacy walked through the doors of Harvest Bible Chapel in Naperville, IL and I prayed that she would be the girl God had for me. We dated, got engaged, and were then happily married in August of 2006. As we enjoyed ministry and life together, God gave us our first precious little girl on October 14, 2008. Kate is now three years old and loves to play outside with Mom and Dad. On July 19, 2010 God gave us our second precious little girl, Brooke. Brooke is 18 months old and is our “Texas baby”. She was born here in Houston and so I like to think that gives us a little advantage when we tell people we are from Chicago. Stacy and I love being with our girls and watching them learn, grow, and experience life. God is truly the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17).
My Hope for Harvest
My hope for Harvest is simply this, life change! I have had a passion from the early days of ministry to see lives transformed through the truth of God’s Word in the church. My hope for our church is that more and more lives are changed for the glory of God. I hope you will come and experience all God has in store for you.
Come be a part of God’s work at Harvest Bible Chapel Houston. I hope to have the great privilege to meet you and partner with you in the Gospel for the glory of God.
You are loved,
Pastor Mark, Stacy, Kate and Brooke.