: . .
kind of spirit who helps teach
simple, basic truths to eager
newcomers. As the teacher was
giving this description, I had a
moment of recognition, and I
thought, ‘That’s me!’ In other
words, ‘That’s what I was created
to do.’” Teaching simple truths
to eager (or wrestling) minds is
a use that Mark loves serving in
this world, and it’s one that he
can see himself serving in the
life to come.
Mark graduated from
Theological School and was
ordained in 1991. He served
as Assistant to the Executive
Vice President of the General
Church in Canada for three
years; associate pastor of the
Oak Arbor New Church in
Rochester, Michigan, for four
years; and pastor of the New
Church of Phoenix, Arizona,
for four years. He is in his 12th
year as associate pastor of
the Glenview New Church in
Glenview, Illinois.
The one thing Mark
appreciates most about his
forebears is that “they gave me
the option to believe that the
writings of Emanuel Swedenborg
Ellen and Mark Pendleton on their wedding day
are divine revelation.” He also
feels blessed at having been “100% intellectually and emotionally satisfied” by
his faith for all of his life.
In 2012 he married Ellen In, and enjoys serving the Church with her.
He says proudly, “Ellen is an accomplished musician and vocal performer,
a terrifically willing volunteer, and though she was once a newcomer to our
church, I think she loves the New Church faith even more than I do!”
Mark and Ellen look forward to serving the Church and traveling
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