Mark’s Story

Coming from a big family as the ninth child, I was always surrounded by people — yet I often felt alone.

If you've ever heard “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” by The Temptations, you’d have a glimpse of who my father was: a man caught in a cycle of wandering and addiction. My mother, on the other hand, was a woman of unwavering faith. Despite living with a disability, she made sure we were in church every Sunday, planting seeds of truth in my heart — seeds that wouldn’t take root until much later in life.

As a child, I experienced things no one should. That pain forced me to grow up fast. I didn’t feel like I belonged, and I often stayed at friends’ homes, unknowingly searching for what I lacked — boundaries, love, and stability. I made poor choices, constantly adapting to whoever I was around just to feel accepted. I became a chameleon with a kind heart but a confused soul, trying to cover my pain with good intentions.

At 19, I had my first daughter outside of marriage. Wanting to do the right thing, I married her mother and tried to make it work. When that relationship fell apart, I drifted from one situation to the next, still seeking something real. Eventually, I gave marriage another try. This time, something had changed — I found myself back in church. But this time, it wasn’t out of tradition; it was because I truly wanted to know God. I opened my heart to Him, and transformation began.

Even then, the road wasn’t easy. My second marriage ended in unexpected heartbreak. My wife no longer wanted to continue, and I lost more than a home — I lost time with two of my children and everything I had worked for. It broke me. But through prayer and perseverance, God sustained me. My children grew strong, and by His grace, they’re thriving — better than I could’ve hoped for. Like Job, I faced loss after loss: family, finances, position — but God had greater plans.

He brought healing in a way only He can. He led me to a new wife — one He literally brought to my front door. I already had three children, and He blessed me with six more through adoption and marriage: another son, a daughter, and a bonus child. I know what it means to fall, but I also know what it means to be picked up, dusted off, and told, “Now try it My way.” And God’s way? It’s always better than anything I could’ve imagined.

Today, I no longer try to be who others expect me to be. My identity is found in Christ, not in anyone’s approval. I’ve been broken, but I’ve also been restored. I’ve made peace with my past and found purpose in my present. Now, I live a life of honesty, humility, and faith — helping others see that no matter how far they’ve fallen, God’s grace is big enough to redeem, rebuild, and restore.