North Carolina native Mark Hicks has been a United Methodist pastor for more than 35 years having taken his first appointment in 1987.  He has served churches in Asheboro, Charlotte, Greensboro and Southport North Carolina.   Pastor Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC; a Master of Divinity from Duke University, Durham NC and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. 

In 1999, he founded Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries (Now called Cross and Key Prison Ministries) which is a statewide prison ministry of the United Methodist Church.  (For more information on Cross and Key Prison Ministries contact:  www.crossandkeyprisonministries.com.) 

Pastor Mark and his wife Laura have two grown daughters, Sarah and Emily and one granddaughter, CJ (Clara June).  Mark and Laura enjoy traveling and have hosted five international exchange sons. 

Pastor Mark is passionate about music and loves the beach.  He especially enjoys swimming in the ocean, surf and deep-sea fishing, biking, kayaking, taking walks with Laura, watching the sunset over the ocean and spending time with his family.