Mark’s Manager’s Memo

Several years ago, unbeknown to me, God put me on a path to leave the comforts of my home town area and launch out as a missionary of sorts to regions beyond, utilizing Christian radio.

Just before Father revealed the next step in 1992, my pastor in Western Michigan, wrote these words about me. Pastor Dan’s mentoring role in my life has helped me stay on-task all these years since. His life’s work was completed 3 years ago while still in his 40’s when the Lord called him home to heaven. We miss him dearly.

Pastor Dan wrote,

There are those wonderful occasions in life when God grants you the gift of a person hallmarked by grace, filled with wisdom, and anointed with vision. I’ve come to describe this kind of life with the words of Eugene Peterson: ‘leaping, dancing, daring faith,’ intolerant of the cult of mediocrity and impassioned for the work of the Kingdom. Mark is one of those carefully prepared instruments.

Our relationship transcends that of pastor and church member. There is a kindred spirit fashioned not only by a mutually held philosophy of ministry and life, but by a passion for Jesus and authentic Christianity. We covet Mark in our leadership forum because of his impeccable character and proactive mindset. He is one of those rare individuals in Christian work who is anchored in biblicity and dedicated to relevance. The words of Warren Bennis describe Mark well: ‘Managers want to do things right—leaders want to do the right thing.’ Both in philosophy and practice, Mark is an incarnation of this kind of leadership. Beyond this you will find that the atmosphere he creates is one of grace: defined by encouragement, kindness, patience and honesty.

This man is authentic. He has been called on to face circumstances that reveal the reality of life. His has been ‘a long obedience in the same direction,’ a direction of genuine faith and excellence. My heartfelt regret is that our individual callings in life will probably not allow us the privilege of working together. In Mark I find the kind of life I trust, the life of a servant, and the kind of life that makes legitimate impact.

Pastor Dan Cummings

I humbly share these words from a pastor who during the years he ministered to me, was used of God to as Chuck Swindoll states, ‘grace awakened me.’ The journey toward fully loving God and loving others has been challenging. Simply ask the director of our radio group, my supervisor, or inquire about me with my biblical counselor: believe me, there are many chinks in my armor. I have much to learn to be molded in the image of Christ.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

My point today is this: seek out God’s mentor, accountability partner…someone who can walk with you toward a long obedience (to the Father) in the same direction. Both Rachel and I benefited so much from Pastor Dan’s shepherding. Since then we have served in the Great Northwest (Seattle area) and now in the Sunny Southwest (West Texas). Every day God stretches us a little more.

One last request: would you pray for me, for Rachel and the KCRN team to know and do God’s will and bidding…whatever HE wants…in the days ahead? We desire to do the Father’s pleasure, what He desires. Not a cookie cutter plan but that which brings Him the most pleasure and Glory. Thank you.

Mark