Mark and his wife, Donna have served in children’s ministry for over 20 years. Their passion is seeing children and youth come to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ through Awana missions all over the world. In addition to directing the Awana program in Paso Robles for the last 15 years, Mark and Donna also serve on the California Central Coast Awana Board, and are also Awana Global Missionaries concentrating on bringing the gospel to children across eastern Africa.
In addition to running the Awana club, Mark has directed Sunday School, Youth Group, and VBS programs in Paso Robles, written children’s curriculum, and hosted mission trips to Kenya and Tanzania. He is passionate about teaching — both kids and leaders. As a regional leadership training specialist, Mark routinely trains local Awana leaders and Sunday School teachers across the central coast.
Born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Mark grew up in a church with a strong children’s ministry that taught him the scriptures — literally from birth. As a young boy, Mark attended Awana along with his 5 siblings where he memorized much of the scripture that he uses today to teach children and leaders. Part of a true Awana family, Mark’s mother was raised in Awana in the late 1940s, Mark attended Awana in the 1970’s, and Mark’s children attended Awana in the 1990-2000’s.
Mark and Donna have lived in Paso Robles since 1994 and have 3 boys. When he’s not running the Awana club, Mark plays bass for the praise team and writes computer software for mobile devices.