Pastor Mark was born in East Chicago, Indiana in 1972. He and the love of his life, Wanda, married in 1996 and are the proud parents of two amazing sons, Mark and Joseph. Pastor Mark retired as a Major in the US Army after twenty-six years of service in 2016. He is a graduate of Excelsior College and received his Master’s in Divinity from Missio Seminary. Wanda has served as a teacher and school administrator for over 20 years. In 2008, Wanda founded a renowned charter school in Philadelphia where she served as CEO and school principal. She received a Bachelor's in Early Childhood and Elementary Education degree from Temple University, Master's degree in Education Leadership from Cheyney University and Superintendent's Letter from Arcadia University. Pastor Mark and Wanda are convinced that God will use their gifts, passions, life experiences and pain to reach the city of Philadelphia with the message of hope and healing. After realizing many goals, Pastor Mark believed that God had something “greater” in store for him and his family. He always felt that God was calling him to be a pastor, but was unsure on how to proceed. After losing his best friend in a tragic accident in 2009, he began to hear the call of God once again. He answered that call to plant a new church during his last year of seminary. After much prayer, the Lord sent a mentor (Brian Bolt) to help him in the church planting process. In February 2013, Pastor Mark and his family began hosting a Bible study for a small group of people in their home. That group continued to grow and on September 15, 2013 CityReach Church was officially launched at Northeast High school. Two years after the launch, the church took a huge leap of faith as they purchased a historic theater in the Tacony section of Philadelphia. Over the last 9 years, the CityReach family has had the honor of seeing countless people’s lives transformed through God’s grace, love, and power. Pastor Mark believes that CityReach church was born to empower people to discover their purpose and live out their God given destiny He believes that this church will multiply and influence our city and region. As you are reading this, please know that the best is yet to come as you choose to seek Jesus and His kingdom first! "Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God."Psalm 92:13