Mark has over 15 years of dedicated service and leadership in the Pacific Northwest Conference (PNC) of the United Church of Christ. His journey in outdoor ministry began at Pilgrim Firs, where he served as facilities manager from 2009 to 2011. He then spent a decade of transformative work as the Managing Director of N-Sid-Sen Camp & Retreat Center from 2012 to 2022, Mark returned to Pilgrim Firs in December 2022, bringing his passion for building community and fostering spiritual growth back to this sacred space.
Mark’s commitment extends beyond the PNCUCC, having served two terms on the Board of Directors for the Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) of the United Church of Christ. A trusted leader and collaborator, Mark has played a vital role in strengthening connections between camps across the Northwest and beyond. His contributions to national camp events, such as Focus Events and other ecumenical gatherings, reflect his dedication to the broader camping and retreat ministry.
A northwest native, Mark was born in Mountain Home, Idaho, and raised in the Puget Sound region. His deep appreciation for nature was cultivated early on – and even included a transformative three-month expedition in the Olympic Mountains. This love for the outdoors shaped his ministry and personal life alike.
Before his work in outdoor ministries, Mark served as Youth Minister at the United Churches of Olympia for 11 years, organizing retreats, confirmation camps, and junior high camps at Pilgrim Firs. Alongside his wife, Julie, and their four children, Mark also volunteered during this time at N-Sid-Sen’s Family Camp, creating cherished memories and fostering a deep connection that eventually led him to the site. Summers spent at both N-Sid-Sen and Pilgrim Firs have been foundational to his family’s life and his vocational calling.
With a profound dedication to the values of community, creativity, and faith, Mark continues to guide Pilgrim Firs as a place of transformation and belonging for all who visit.