A Passion for Mentoring and Equipping
Dr. Berry’s family history began in Virginia. He spent the majority of his childhood in Delaware and most of his adult life in Pennsylvania. He attended United Wesleyan College in Allentown, PA, receiving a B.S. in Pastoral Ministry and Christian Education, did partial master’s work in Professional Counseling at Liberty University, completed a master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling at Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, IL, and earned a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership with a minor in Conflict Management from NOVA Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Education has always been an important part of his life. This was instilled into him by a father, who only had an 8th grade education, who desired that his four boys achieve more than he did. Thus, three of the four Berry siblings eventually earned doctorates.
For the past 12 years, Dr. Berry has been district superintendent of the Alabama South District Church of the Nazarene and has served the denomination in various leadership roles. He previously served as lead pastor for 25 years in New York, Pennsylvania and Alabama, totaling 37 years of ministry in the Church of the Nazarene as an ordained elder.
He currently serves as adjunct professor for Nazarene Bible College, Indiana Wesleyan University and Trevecca Nazarene University.
Prior to his current teaching roles and profession, Dr. Berry taught for Northwest Nazarene University of Nampa, ID in their online module program and Mid America Christian University. He taught classes for Alabama School of Ministry and Mid-Atlantic District School of Ministry. He was assigned as Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR) training coordinator for the denomination. He wrote training materials for Emergency Disaster Response and brought together a team of individuals to write two additional manuals for NDR training. He, also, has served as chaplain for Marketplace Ministries and Hospice.
He has written articles for “The Preachers Magazine”, “Holiness Today”, "Wheels of Grace" and "Compassion Magazine". Recently, he authored a devotional book, "Journey to Peace: 30 Days of Devotionals to Emotional and Spiritual Renewal" and co-authored “Fueling the Nazarene Movement with Love” written in conjunction with 80 Nazarene pastors and denominational leaders.
He resides in Prattville, AL with his wife, Debi, who serves as his administrative assistant. Dr. and Mrs. Berry have two children, Andrew and Jennifer, who both graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Both children are educators. He enjoys being a grandparent to his two grandchildren, Rosemary and Oliver.
He has a passion for mentoring young pastors and equipping leaders for vibrant, successful ministry. He considers his role as district superintendent to be a visionary, encourager and challenger of ministers. His focus is to be an equipper and motivator of pastors and lay leaders for service beyond the walls of the church to reach their communities for Christ with a focus on starting new churches.
Dr. Berry states, “The greatest blessing I have had as adjunct professor for NBC is being instrumental in seeing students enter full-time ministry after completing their education.” He shares, “Some of the best students I have taught over the past years in various universities have come from NBC. They are dedicated and hard workers.” Dr. Berry emphasizes as a word of wisdom for ministry, “Keep God first in your life, your family second, and your ministry third. Keeping this as your priority will help you to be at your best for ministry. Ministry is about loving God with all your heart and authentically loving the people that God entrusts to you.”
Dr. Mark Berry has been an Adjunct Professor at NBC since 2007 and also serves as district superintendent of the Alabama South District Church of the Nazarene.
Published: 04/27/2020
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