Mark Darling – Story 132

Without Mark planting the Rock I would not have my beautiful wife and our wonderful kids.  All most all of my friends have come from the Rock.  In many ways, they have been closer to me than family.  I owe much of my parenting principles and practices to the advice and direction of Mark.  Mark has always been free to take my calls, weather just simple Bible questions to very difficult life trials.  I can think of many instances such as the major trails we faced in 2013 and the persecution of a dear friend leaving the Rock and compromising his principles of faith, to dealing with the family persecution of us getting married.  Mark has had compassion and advice through all of these life events.  I remember when I was facing a very difficult work HR issue with my boss.  I got counsel from all the pastors and HC leaders.  Marks advice was different than everyone else’s, and the most difficult to accept.  As hard as the advice was, I’m glad I listened to Mark and what God was speaking through him.  At the end of the day, it was certainly the right move.  Some of my most cherished memories are the dad’s times and the year that I lead a men’s small group and Mark came to almost every one of our meetings.  These small intimate times were invaluable for the insight and wisdom Mark was able to pass on to me.  I also gained an invaluable friendship and respect for Mark in those times.  I will never forget the perseverance of Mark and his family through Jessica’s trail.  That example alone has served to shape my resolve in many of the personal trials my family has faced.  To be honest, Mark and the Rock were not my first choice for a faith family, but God knew what he was doing when placing me under Mark’s leadership and this church family.  I’m so thankful for God’s plan with this and given the choice now, I would submit and commit to no other church body.  This is the home and training ground God had planned for me.

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