Mark was raised in Wright, Kansas and graduated from Dodge City Senior High School in 1990. He joined the US Navy soon after graduation, and served for over 4 years. After his Honorable Discharge in 1994, he attended KSU for one year, before moving back to Wright to be closer to Shannon who lived in Liberal. After they married in 1996, they lived in Liberal where Shannon taught 4th grade and Mark continued his education at Seward County Community College, graduating in 1997. He then began the long process of attending college part time at night and on weekends while juggling family, work and school. He graduated from Newman University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management in 2005.
Mark married Shannon on May 25th, 1996 at First Baptist Church in Dodge City, where Shannon’s father had previously been the pastor. Shannon is now a 2nd grade teacher at South Central Elementary School in Protection.
Ashleigh was born on May 7th, 1997. Her interests include sports such as volleyball, basketball, and softball. She is active in 4H, and enjoys music and plays piano and clarinet.
Jeremiah was born on June 29th, 2000. He enjoys playing with his friends, riding his bike and skateboard, and plays baseball in the summer. He too has started in 4H and is learning many new things such as sewing, cooking and photography.
Outside of the church Mark and Shannon take pleasure in spending time with family. They enjoy going to their children's ball games, as well as staying home and relaxing together.
Mark is currently working on his Masters of Divinity degree through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary’s Distance Learning Program.