Profile
Mark and Sarah live in Cumbria with their two daughters Grace (8) and Martha (4). They attend the local Community Church - Croftlands Community Church.

They did however come from very different backgrounds Mark being brought up in the local Church of England church while Sarah has a background within the Brethren.

As diverse as their Spiritual backgrounds may seem their geographical one are even more. Sarah was born in Wolverhampton, then moved to Sheffield, back to the West Midlands before settling in Cumbria. Mark on the other hand was born and brought up in St. Helens. As children their paths cross when Mark attended a Pathfinder Camp that was held on the field which Sarah's parents owned! They finally met in 2001 when they both posted ad's on a Christian online dating site. Following their marriage in October 2001 they both settled down to live in Cumbria and started a family.

Mark has always had a heart for children and has done lots with children since the age of 16 such as Boys Brigade Officer, Youth club leader, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Co-ordinator and leader in charge of all children's work. His love of children and how they learn led him to train as a teacher, a job which he did until August 2010 when as a result of redundancy and God's calling he moved on to develop his ministry with Sarah. As part of the work Mark and Sarah do they go into local schools and take assemblies, they also plan and run holiday clubs and do fun days. Mark is also a magician and can perform to children and families.

Sarah on the other hand has worked in several jobs before becoming the practice manager for a local GP, a job she did until 2001 when she finished to become a housewife and mum. Sarah now supports Mark in all aspects of the work. Sarah occupies her day when she is not out and about with Mark running a parent and toddler group on a Wednesday and helping out in Grace and Martha's school where she is also a governor. The rest of the time she is organising Mark or having coffee times with non Christian friends and being the shoulder to cry on. She also takes on some of the admin work for the church.

Mark and Sarah have big hearts for doing God's work amongst children and young people. With the support of their local church, Mark and Sarah run an after school group for 5 to 11 year olds, as well as Sunday school at their church. Sarah (now with Mark's help) also runs a parent and child group called 'Little Nippers' along with some members of the church. They also run a week long holiday club each summer, with nearly everyone in the church getting involved. Over recent years Mark and Sarah have been invited to church fun days to present God's word to children and their parents. They work with another local church and help them to run a holiday club in the summer and various other events during the year.

Following Mark's redundancy in 2009 from his full time job. He was then taken back on a part time basis. This opened up the way for Mark and Sarah to go into schools with the gospel message. They started in September 2009 and regularly went into 3 local schools last year, however this year they have increased that to 6 schools with the possibility of more. The privilege of going into schools has fulfilled an ambition in both Mark and Sarah's ministry. God has truly blessed them in this work and they both feel they could do more with the schools. The ending of Mark's part-time contract at the end of August 2010 has led them to explore God's calling on their lives and it may be the opportunity God has been waiting for to lead them into more full time ministry. Mark and Sarah have lots and lots of great ideas and they are praying into them and seeking God at every turn. They see their work moving into the market place, the summer fayre and car boot sales etc.

2011 has been so far a busy year for both Mark and Sarah as they have done several fun days both at schools and with church's, Mark trained to become a Bible Explorer instructor and was able to present 'Walk Through the Bible' - Bible Explorer to a year 5 class at one of the local schools in May and June. Also Mark was involved with the Bibleworld event that took place in Ulverston for 1 week in June. They have also completed 3 bible holiday clubs; one in May at Mark's parents church, one at the beginning of the summer holidays for Croftlands Community Church and one mid-way through the holidays with Urswick Church. They have also started to take advance bookings for events next year. At the start of a new school year their schools ministry will be starting back up again as schools start to book their assembly times. Both Mark and Sarah are excited for the coming school year.

They are always open to new challenges and would love to expand their ministry further. Don't hesitate to book them for an event.

Please pray for Mark and Sarah so that God will continue to confirm in a very real way His vision for this Ministry.

Updated September 2011