There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens

On Wednesday July 8th, I woke up to start my devotions just as I have been doing for over 26 years. A few months ago, I had started in Genesis and that morning I found myself in Numbers chapter 6. When I got to vs. 24, which I had highlighted years ago, I read; 

 

I also noted the two dates that I had previously written next to the highlighted passage; 10/17/00 and 9/10/01. That morning I remembered on 10/17/00 I decided to take a position offered to me by a large Environmental Consulting firm out of Orlando. God had used this verse to call me to leave my 16 year employment working for Broward County as an Environmental Engineer to take a new job as a Senior Environmental Consultant. I left my secure, comfortable well paying county job that I loved so much because I believed that God called to me to, and made me a promise through this verse. During the next year I opened a satellite office in Delray Beach FL, hired two employees and managed a multi-million dollar State contract along with hundreds of thousands of dollars in other State environmental contracts. I made an amazing amount of money, was loved by the owner of the firm and all the clients. The Lord was gracious to me, had blessed me and His face was shining on me. I was even promised a 10% office-sharing bonus after one year. 

 

Then during that year, in May of 2001 I went on a short mission trip to the Adventure Learning Centre and found out they used a science and nature based curriculum to educate and share the gospel with Bahamian children. I felt the call to this ministry in the Bahamas so clear and powerful, it was undeniable. After about 7 months in my new position I had to tell the firm that I was called by God to serve at ALC. When the owner asked, "How much are they going to pay you?", my response of "nothing" baffled him. Over the next three months I wrapped up my obligations as they searched for someone to replace me. I had to forfeit my office sharing bonus, I sold my home and everything I had accumulated, sold my new car and said goodbye to my friends and church family and landed in Nassau with two duffel bags to my name on 9/5/01. 

 

I had been again reading through the bible and five days after arriving in the Bahamas, on 9/10/01, I opened it to Numbers 6. It was then that I realized the Lord had completely fulfilled his promise with abundant peace!

For over 18 years I have been blessed, 

He has been gracious to me,

His face has been shining on me

and He has given me peace in the "Centre" of His will

What an amazing journey it has been

It would not have been possible without each of you being obedient to the Lord in your faithful prayer and support. Thank you. You have been part of helping me to personally share the love of Christ and the gospel message to probably over 50,000 Bahamian children and adults over the years.

 

I continued my time with the Lord that day in a daily Oswald Chambers devotion. As I was flipping through the paperback devotional to find July 8th, I spotted something written on the bottom of one page. I turned back to it and saw a note I had written on the April 24^thdevotion. I had written “Jesus saved me Saturday [April 24] 1993”. I smiled and then went to the July 8th devotion.

 

For almost a year though, I had not had peace. I have been earnestly praying for God's direction regarding my service at ALC due to differences of the values and character between myself and ALC's leadership and board. Truth was being compromised. I have always said that it was not a man, but God who brought me to Adventure Learning Centre, and it would not be a man, but only God who would move me away. I was committed to follow God no matter what direction he chose.

 

As I continued in my Oswald Chambers devotion, God's directive became undeniable to me. As you see in the text it is entitled Will to be faithful then it says choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. Joshua 24:15. I ask you to read the whole thing but can summarize it with a few sentences of the devotion;  

 

"When God gives me a vision of truth, there is never a question of what He will do, but only of what I will do. The Lord has been placing in front of each of us some big proposals and plans. The best thing to do is to remember what you did before when you were touched by God. Recall the moment when you were saved, or first recognized Jesus, or realized some truth. It was easy then to yield your allegiance to God. Immediately recall those moments each time the Spirit of God brings some new proposal before you." 

 

After reading this, I immediately got up and submitted my resignation to the ALC Board. I would have been disobedient to stay and continue to overlook our differences. Despite my joy and love of sharing the gospel with what has been by far the most impactful evangelistic ministry in The Bahamas, I knew I must move on. 

 

At this point, four days later, I don't know what God has for me next but I am certain of the One who has me. I am excited for what He has for me but I am also saddened by the events that have taken place, not for myself but for the ministry. I ask you who have been praying for me, to pray for the ministry and especially for the tens of thousands of Bahamian children and adults who have heard a clear presentation of the gospel at ALC over the last 27 years. Pray that God would draw those, who don’t yet know Him, to Jesus and for those who do know Him, to walk in His will. 

 

I am open to whatever God has for me. I have already spoken to another youth ministry, considered the possibility of teaching at a Christian school and applied for two secular jobs. But I remain Compelled to tell.... until the whole world hears.

 

Some of my supporters have committed to continue supporting me financially for up to three months. This is truly a blessing. If you would like to help me through this transition, GO Ministries will continue to accept and distribute support for me through November. Thank you for journeying with me. 

If you would like to continue support for one, two or three months, click here; Support Mark at ALC or you can write a check to GO!Ministries and mail it to; 270 East Palais Road, Anaheim, CA 92850. Make sure to write my missionary #1273 in the memo space. 

Time to Pause

Hello friends! Although I have reached out to many of you personally by email last December, I haven't written a newsletter blog since hurricane Dorian September 2019. So many things have been occurring at Adventure Learning Centre & Camp (ALC&C) and in my life since then. Here is a pictorial update of the highlights!

Supplies

After hurricane Dorian devastated Abaco and Grand Bahama, hundreds of people from these islands came to Nassau. In October ALC&C received a donation of two trailers of relief supplies to distribute to people in need. Over the next two months we were able to distribute these supplies to shelters, orphanages and individuals throughout the island.

Thank You!

Delivery

 It was such a blessing to be able to minister physically, materially and spiritually to those in need. 

My sending church, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale has a Christian school, Calvary Christian Academy (CCA). Every January, their 8th graders come to ALC&C, over a two week period, on a mission trip. It is an intense and awesome time of ministry. It gives me time to catch up with old friends. 

My Mentors!

Chris Lane and Brody Howel were a youth pastor and leader who were both instrumental in mentoring me in the beginning of my walk with Christ back in 1993.

  

 Ministry at Yellow Elder

The CCA 8th graders would storm various primary schools with music, face painting, games and most importantly the Love of Christ.

CCA Ministry at the ALC

Third and fourth grade Bahamian students would storm the ALC&C to be ministered to by the 8th grade CCA students while getting blown away by the love the Bahamian children had for them.











At the end of the day the CCA students would reflect and relish in the reciprocal Christian love they took part in each day.

CCA devotions

Meet Colton, I first met Colton 17 or 18 years ago when he was in 5th grade at an after school Adventure Club. He would faithfully come to club every Wednesday to sit under our teaching as we brought the ALC to the schools in the form of small animals, games a bible study and discipleship. I lost touch with Colton but one day early this year when he saw me out and about, he exclaimed with excitement... "MARK!?!?". I didn't remember him at first, but after he reminded me of the great times he had at Adventure Club, the cob webs of time cleared. I was so blessed to hear that he is walking with the Lord and is currently serving in the youth ministry at his church! Although young adults who remember me from their school days approach me regularly, it is especially gratifying to see those who love Jesus and are serving Him. Please pray for Colton and the countless others who have heard of the love that Christ has for them at Adventure Club. 

We have not had any school students at ALC&C since mid-March. Although I have been helping with the animal care and ground maintenance which are aspects of the ministry over the last months, the site is lonely without the joyous daily excitement of children.

Due to the current pandemic, which has resulted in the lack of school programs, a decision to cancel summer camp had to be made. The board has also decided to completely shut down the ALC&C and assess the direction for the Fall semester. For this reason, after 18 years of service with only a few weeks of respite at a time, I am now on a sabbatical.  I look forward to spending more quality time with my family, helping my wife Kim with her wedding invitation business and relocating to a new space and visiting family and friends in the states when the borders open.

I am so thankful that you are a part of the ministry in The Bahamas with me.


Thank you for you for your prayer and support. If you would like support my ministry at ALC click here; Support Mark at ALC or you can write a check to GO!Ministries and mail it to; 270 East Palais Road, Anaheim, CA 92850. Make sure to write my missionary #1273 in the memo space. 

PLEASE PRAY

Devastation in Abaco

Dorian! Even with this photograph taken over Abaco Island, it is not possible to convey to you the devastation this hurricane caused. I ask you to pause in pray now, for those hit hard by the storm. Personally my family and I were spared from any harm.  ALC experienced minor flooding but 90 miles to the north, on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama, people are suffering. There is a yet-to-be determined catastrophic lose of life with over a 1,300 people still missing. There is also massive destruction of property leaving thousands homeless. Many survivors have come to Nassau. ALC has donated their busses to the relief effort and is in the process of working with another ministry to host some affected families at the Camp. This is an amazing opportunity to minister to and serve those affected.

Marsh Habour Abaco

The hurricane has produced many personal opportunities to minister to hurting people, many without hope. During a dinner I served at with an extended family of survivors, one gentleman told me of how he and his family were in his vehicle trying to get away during the eye of the storm when it was lifted “50 feet in the air”!  When his wife began to pray, he claimed that it felt like the hand of God literally rest the vehicle on its wheels back on the ground. I was able to share God’s plan of salvation with several family members. On another occasion I shared a meal with a lady who told me that she had to swim for safety and watched as her sister’s children drown. Many victims were of Haitian decent and are in even greater need. Opportunities abound to minister and provide funds, food and clothing for individuals. Please pray for them. 

Beyond The Alley

Last week I hosted 30 children and adults from a ministry called Beyond the Alley, that had some children who had been in the storm in Abaco. After I shared the love of Christ and the gospel message four of the children told me that they had placed their trust in Jesus for forgiveness of their sins. One of them told me that they finally understood what Jesus had done for them and was brought to tears. Please keep Exavanique, Branay, Kendranique and Elcott in prayer. 

Summer Camp 2019

Stepping back from the hurricane into the past summer we again were blessed to host hundreds of children through Summer Camp and Summer Tours. Children continually tell me that coming to ALC is “the best day of their life”. At the end of every week and with each tour group, the gospel is given. Sometimes I ask for a show of hands for those who committed their lives to Jesus after I present the gospel. The last week of Summer Camp thirteen of the campers made that commitment! Just this morning I was reading my Oswald Chambers devotion and he wrote about how Paul had a compulsion to preach the gospel. I can definitely identify with that God given compulsion and often thank God for His call on my life. I also thank God for you who have made it possible for me to be in the “Centre” of His will.  Thank you. 

Adirondack Bible Church

At the end of the summer I visited Adirondack Bible Church to share my ministry with the congregation. The commitment to the gospel and missions for this small group of believers in the woods is amazing. Pastor Ed and his wife Faith along with the new Pastor Stephen were such an encouragement to my family and me. 




Thank you for your prayer and support. If you would like support my ministry at ALC click here; Support Mark at ALC or you can write a check to GO!Ministries and mail it to; 270 East Palais Road, Anaheim, CA 92850. Make sure to write my missionary #1273 in the memo space. 

Spring! Alive!

St. Cecilia's Primary

SC McPherson Jr High

It's been a great spring semester at Adventure Learning Centre. This is the time of year that many government schools study the solar system and book a field trip to the ALC.  In the past several weeks I have hosted many Primary, Jr. High and High school classes. Last week I had 91 Jr. High school students and 4 teachers in the classroom and planetarium, the largest group ever!  I don't know how many times I've said it, but this is my greatest joy, I truly become a different person when I teach and share the gospel with the students and teachers as I serve in the roll of planetarium director.

Governor General, Randy Grebe and family & ALC staff

The founders of the ALC, Randy and Kim Grebe, along with Randy's mother and father, Grace & Roger and his siblings visited us while they were celebrating Roger's 85th birthday on a family cruise. It is always so good to see "Uncle Randy" and hear one of his numerous stories. He is an amazing man of God who I have considered someone to emulate since I met him back in 2001. We were able to schedule a courtesy visit to the Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Dame Marguerite Pindling.  It was a very special day.

Kadisha Nesbit

Another special treat happened to me when a 1st grade Queens College primary school teacher approached me as I was working on repairing one of our buses. She said; "I have to see Mark". Kadisha Nesbit came on a field trip as a 6th grader from Thelma Gibson primary school and has since grown up, went to college and became a teacher herself. This was her first year as a teacher and she said she had to bring her class to the ALC. It was amazing how she remembered  so many details of her field trip to the planetarium 14 years earlier. Kadisha is now a committed Christian whom I'm sure will make an eternal impact on the youth of the Bahamas.  

Mark and Patric Wallace

As director of missions and outreach I also get the opportunity to serve foreign missions teams that come for a week or so to serve in the Bahamas. I had the pleasure of working with a Jr High and High school group from Atlantic Christian Academy as they ministered along side us. I am always encouraged to see young people who have a heart to see others come to know the love of Jesus. While they were here we went to the All Saints Camp to minister to residents there. I ran into an old friend Patrick Wallace who has lived at All Saints for years.

Atlantic Christian Academy

Funday Flyer

We are days away from our annual Easter Monday Funday. This year we expect to see over 3,000 children and adults as families from all over the island come to enjoy a day of food, fun, games, train rides, horse rides, Easter Egg hunts, music, skits, planetarium shows and much more... The much more is that at every location our staff and volunteers will share the good news of the greatest event that ever occurred...HE IS ALIVE!, and He so wants to us to know Him, Love Him and serve Him. Pray for an awesome day, and for families to experience His love at ALC Easter Monday Funday! 

Thank you for you for your prayer and support. If you would like support my ministry at ALC click here; Support Mark at ALC or you can write a check to GO!Ministries and mail it to; 270 East Palais Road, Anaheim, CA 92850. Make sure to write my missionary #1273 in the memo space. 

Thanks-Giving!

Dr Romer and Mark

In October I was appointed Director of Missions and Outreach by Executive Director Dr. Kenneth Romer. In addition to oversight of facilities and general maintenance and my favorite position of Planetarium Director, my new position will give me oversight of all evangelism and training, outreach, and foreign mission group interaction and their outreach. This position matches well with my gifting and passion for evangelism, which is at the heart of ministry at Adventure Learning Centre & Camp. 

At Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale

Last month I traveled to Calvary Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale for a week and a half Missions Conference. Myself and about two-dozen other missionaries were pampered, ministered to and given multiple opportunities to connect with the body and to share our ministries from all over the globe. I was sent out from this church over 17 years ago. The conference was a sweet time of fellowship, bonding with the other missionaries, reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Please pray that some people I connected with would join me in becoming part of my support team and that others might be lead to come and be a part of the ALC missionary team.

Hope for Kids training

Last week myself and three other ALC staff members attended an intensive two-day ‘Hope For Kids” evangelism training at a local church in Nassau. “Hope for Kids” is a branch of “Evangelism Explosion” specifically designed to train children to clearly share the good news of Jesus with their friends and school mates.  Twenty-five years ago, shortly after receiving Christ as my savior, I was trained and then became an EE trainer for many years. This training has resulted in the awesome privilege of being able to plant thousands of “seeds” into the lives of children and adults all over the world and through the ministry at ALC over the past 17 years. 

Christmas Lights Drive-Thru flyer

We are only a few weeks away Christmas Lights Walk/Drive Thru. This year’s event will be different. Visitors will be able to walk through the lights displays, be entertained by musicians and dancers, be engaged by Bible Characters sharing the gospel and of course enjoy good food and Christmas goodies for the first two weekends of the walk through.  Then for the last few nights before Christmas, families will be able to drive through the awesome displays of lights.  Please pray for a huge response to this Christmas event and for thousands to hear about the greatest Gift ever offered to mankind.

Thank you for you for your prayer and support. If you would like support my ministry at ALC click here; Support Mark at ALC or you can write a check to GO!Ministries and mail it to; 270 East Palais Road, Anaheim, CA 92850. Make sure to write my missionary #1273 in the memo space. 

Thank you!

I want to start with a sincere Thank You! I am very grateful for you and your financial support and prayer. I am also constantly aware that without you, I would not be able to do what I have been born (again) to do. As I may have said before, my life verse is Ephesians 2:10; For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which He prepared in advance for us to do. God saved me to tell others about Him, and when I’m doing so, I feel His pleasure. 

Combine 80 children, 20 counselors, a ton of fun, a bunch of love and 90 plus degrees over 6 weeks and what do you have…..ALC Summer Camp! We just finished a fantastic time. I always say that it’ the most physically exhausting but most spiritually energizing time of every year. I love it as much as the children. We saw a record number of campers; many repeat campers and many came for the first time. Each week was an awesome combination of worship, sports, crafts, swimming, bible lessons, dance class, field trips tied together with an amazing blend of local and volunteer staff. Most importantly the children were loved on and individually sat with over the course of each week to delve into their spiritual condition, answer their questions and explain the Gospel message. It is also encouraging that each year former campers who have grown up and taken their relationship with Christ earnestly, come back to serve as Summer Camp counselors.

Summer tours are another part of the season. With a hundred other summer camps around the island, a favorite destination for many is Adventure Learning Centre. This year as in the past, I spearheaded summer tours. Groups of as many as 80 children are treated to an opening puppet show with a clear presentation of the Gospel, a train ride and wetlands safari, an interactive petting farm tour and a romp on the playground.  This outreach gives us a chance to impact many hundreds of other children around Nassau that we would otherwise not be able to accommodate in our own summer camp. 

Meet Byron, I met him about 13 years ago when at 9 years old he joined our after school Adventure Club. Through the 5^{th &} 6^thgrade Byron would faithfully show up at our weekly Adventure Club where we would teach bible lessons, play games, bring animals from ALC and love on the children. Byron trusted in Jesus as his Savior! Now Byron is grown up and a few courses from graduating from the University of the Bahamas but most importantly Byron is a committed Christian walking with Jesus and very involved in his church. We have kept in touch calling each other, sharing our lives and praying with each other. I am proud of Byron and the young man he has become. Please pray for Byron and that he continues strong in the Lord.

As we look forward to the new school year, I will take a few weeks off over August and head up to see my family and longtime friends in upstate New York and then swing through Ft. Lauderdale to visit friends and Calvary Chapel. I hope to see you during this trip. One need that the ALC has is staffing. In addition to my passion and gifting of teaching and sharing the Gospel, I have been helping fill a greatly needed position of facilities and vehicle maintenance.  Another missionary staff member, Aaron and I have been taking care of the constant need of maintenance and repairs. This is an area that needs at least two full time skilled persons; someone with building and construction skills and a vehicle mechanic. If you know of someone who has these skills and might like to serve with us, please let us know.

Thank you for you for your prayer and support. If you would like support my ministry at ALC click here; Support Mark at ALC or you can write a check to GO!Ministries and mail it to; 270 East Palais Road, Anaheim, CA 92850. Make sure to write my missionary #1273 in the memo space. 

He is Alive!

Things are moving forward at the Adventure Learning Centre & Camp!

For several years we have been praying for a Bahamian Executive Director to come and fill the void. Actually that has been the goal of the founder and board of directors since our inception, 25 years ago.  Earlier this month that prayer was answered.  The board appointed Dr. Kenneth Romer, a Bahamian businessman and pastor, as Executive Director. We are excited to see God reveal His plans for the future of the Centre and Camp. Kenneth is well connected to the local churches, the Government and the Bahamian business community. His plans are to get all three of these entities more involved in ALC&C to help us increase funding to be able to minister to more children.  An added blessing to me is that his placement will free me up to be able to focus on my gifting of teaching and sharing the gospel with more students.

classroom

You may know that Adventure Learning Centre uses a science-based educational program to attract school students and we share Christian principles and the gospel through our teaching. About 80% of our educational field trip program is derived from the Ministry of Education general science guidelines for each grade level and 20% is integrated Christian principles along with a clear presentation of the gospel.  I had a teacher video a portion of my class to show how I weave Christ into my classroom teaching. In this illustration I compare the planets that reflect the sunlight to how Christians should reflect the Son’s light.  Check it out by clicking this link; Classroom teaching

Please pray for our up coming Easter Monday Funday on Monday April 2^nd. We hope to see over 2,000 children and parents come out to enjoy a day of family fun. We have horse rides, train ride with a gospel skit, planetarium shows, carnival games, nerf gun wars, laser tag, a rock climbing wall, Easter Egg hunts all day long, food and most importantly the story of the most amazing victory that ever happened….He Lives!

Thank you for you for your prayer and support. If you would like support my ministry at ALC click; Support Mark at ALC link or you can write a check to GO!Ministries and mail it to; 270 East Palais Road, Anaheim, CA 92850. Make sure to write my missionary #1273 in the memo space.