Rev. Mark Reynolds is a native of Lakeland, FL. He graduated from the Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in 1992 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts from Florida Southern College (Religion and Sociology 1996), Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University (1999), and Master of Arts in Religion at Vanderbilt University (2007) while pursuing a PhD in Systematic Theology.  After serving in various ministries beginning in 1994, he was ordained in the United Methodist Church as an Elder in Full Connection in June 2010. In addition to being a full-time minister, Pastor Mark is also a writer and teacher. Having served nine years as an Adjunct Professor in the Religion and Philosophy Department at Florida Southern College, he is currently a Professor in the Course of Study at Emory University and the License to Preach School for the Florida Annual Conference. He also serves on the theology team for the Atlantic Central District Committee. As an avid surfer, he is the co-founder of Surfer’s Helping Kids: Agape in Action (SHaKa), a 501c3 that organizes members of the surfing community for humanitarian work at home and abroad through “Surf and Serve” projects that focus on impoverished children and families.

He is passionate about critiquing religious fundamentalism and presenting fresh interpretations of Christianity that are (1) intellectually honest in a postmodern context and (2) healing to those who have been wounded or oppressed by the institutional church.

Pastor Mark and his wife, Emma, have four children, and on days off he enjoys surfing, reading, and writing theology and social commentary. He is currently serving as Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church (Cocoa Beach, FL).

Some Favorite Books: Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation; Henri Nouwen, The Inner Voice of Love and Can You Drink the Cup; Richard Rohr, Everything Belongs; Kurtz and Ketcham, The Spirituality of Imperfection; Carl McColman, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism; Roberta Bondi, To Love as God Loves; Miroslav Volf, Free of Charge and Exclusion and Embrace; Jürgen Moltmann, The Crucified God; David Richo, When Love Meets Fear and How to Be and Adult; Henry Cloud, Necessary Endings; Alexander John Shaia, Heart and Mind; Peter Rollins, The Idolatry of God; Rob Bell, What Is the Bible; Heifetz and Linsky, Leadership on the Line.

Sermons and teachings can be accessed on YouTube and iTunes.

Order Pastor Mark’s booklet,  New Life in Christ: Understanding Your Decision to Follow Jesus and Finding Your Next Steps.