Pastor Mark Waters (Pastor Mark) has been in ministry since he was a child. He and his wife, Chana, married while still attending Southern Adventist University in 1997. They began their official paid ministry together in 1998 with the Gulf States Conference. Chana began teaching in the church school, while Mark pastored. In 2002, they moved to the Florida Conference, while also beginning to expand their family. They have 3 children Dylan, Preston, and Alana (all within 3 ½ years) that have brought much joy, sacrifice, and button-bursting moments in their lives. In 2014, they came to the Georgia-Cumberland Conference, following God’s continued guidance in their lives. Some of their favorite things are hiking, camping, pets, game nights, and anything else that is fun with family and friends.
What is ministry to us? Ministry happens every day, by anyone who chooses to be led by God, in conversations, in lending a helping hand, while sharing how God has blessed in our lives, and so much more. It’s a way of life, and a recognition that “this world is not our home, we’re just passing through.” This world needs people who reflect His spirit. A favorite phrase of Pastor Mark’s is that we should “Live to Make Jesus Smile!” His most fulfilling moments in ministry are when he leads people (old or young) closer to Jesus, so that those individuals in turn produce amazing fruits of the spirit. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8