Mark Driscoll is an American evangelical pastor and author. He founded and primarily contributes to RealFaith ministries. He is also the senior and founding pastor of Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, established in 2016.
Early Life
Mark Driscoll was born on October 11, 1970, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He’s the oldest of five children and the son of a union drywaller. Growing up, he was a Roman Catholic in the Riverton Heights neighborhood of SeaTac, Washington.
He graduated from Highline High School in Burien, Washington, in 1989, where he was active as the student body president, baseball team captain, newspaper editor, and voted “most likely to succeed” in his graduating class. It was during high school that he first met Grace Martin, who would later become his wife. Grace’s father, Gib Martin, is an evangelical pastor.
At the age of 19, while in college, Mark converted to Christianity. He earned a Master of Arts in exegetical theology from Western Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in communication with a minor in philosophy from Washington State University.
After graduation, Mark and Grace moved to Seattle, where they volunteered with the college ministry of Antioch Bible Church and attended services there. Mark eventually became an intern at the church, and during this time, he connected with Lief Moi, a radio broadcaster, and Mike Gunn, who worked for an Athletes in Action ministry at the University of Washington. They discussed the idea of starting an “urban, postmodern” church in Seattle. Greg Kappas, the pastor overseeing Antioch Bible Church’s church planting program, guided and assisted them in creating their plans.
Family
Mark Driscoll is married to Grace Driscoll, his high school sweetheart. They have five children together.
Ministry
In 1996, Driscoll helped start Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. By March 2014, it had grown to 14,000 members across five states and fifteen locations. Driscoll also founded The Resurgence (a theological cooperative) and co-founded other organizations like Acts 29 Network, Churches Helping Churches, and The Gospel Coalition.
He wrote for sections like “Faith and Values” in The Seattle Times, OnFaith, and the Fox News website. Driscoll authored various Christian books, including A Call to Resurgence.
Controversies arose regarding his teachings on gender roles, alleged plagiarism, and a culture of fear and abuse at Mars Hill. In 2014, public criticism and complaints led to Driscoll’s resignation from Mars Hill Church. Acts 29 Network removed him, and Mars Hill Church dissolved within three months.
In 2021, a podcast called The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill discussed Driscoll’s history. He later apologized in a 2,000-word letter, posted in his church’s private online community and elsewhere, acknowledging his mistakes and pledging to avoid social media.
Acts 29 Network
In 1998, Driscoll and David Nicholas created Acts 29 Network with a goal to establish 1000 new churches globally. It started with 11 churches and grew rapidly, reaching 50 by 2006 and 410 by 2011, including 38 in 16 other countries.
In 2006, Driscoll founded The Resurgence, a theological cooperative supporting Acts 29 and Mars Hill Church. Its aim was to train church leaders in conservative reformed theology.
However, in 2014, the Acts 29 church-planting network, which Driscoll founded, removed him and his Mars Hill Church from membership. This decision was due to complaints from other network pastors about Driscoll’s divisive behavior.
Resignation from Mars Hill Church
In 2014, an investigation looked into accusations of bullying and intimidating behavior by Mark Driscoll, involving him and 21 former church elders. The investigation included 1,000 hours of research, interviews, and 200 pages of information. The report concluded that Driscoll was never charged with immorality, illegality, or heresy. Many charges had been addressed, according to Mark. He insisted he hadn’t disqualified himself from ministry.
Despite a proposed “restoration” plan from church leadership, Driscoll declined. He resigned on October 14, 2014, citing health and safety concerns. Importantly, the church’s Board of Overseers hadn’t asked for his resignation.
Net Worth
We don’t know how much Mark Driscoll is worth because there is no public information on his income.
Social Media
You can find Mark Driscoll on the following social media platforms:
- Instagram; @markdriscoll
- X: @PastorMark
- YouTube: RealFaith by Mark Driscoll
Frequently Asked Questions
In this blog post section, I would provide you with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers on Mark Driscoll Biography.
1. When and where was Mark Driscoll born?
Mark Driscoll was born on October 11, 1970, in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
2. What is Mark Driscoll’s educational background?
He graduated from Highline High School in Burien, Washington, in 1989. He later earned a Master of Arts in exegetical theology from Western Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in communication with a minor in philosophy from Washington State University.
3. How did Mark Driscoll start his career in ministry?
In 1996, Mark Driscoll co-founded Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington.
4. What organizations did Mark Driscoll establish?
Mark Driscoll co-founded Acts 29 Network in 1998 and The Resurgence in 2006. He also founded RealFaith ministries and Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2016.
5. What controversies surround Mark Driscoll’s ministry?
Controversies include allegations of bullying, accusations of plagiarism, and concerns about the culture of fear and abuse during his tenure at Mars Hill Church.
6. When did Mark Driscoll resign from Mars Hill Church?
Mark Driscoll resigned from Mars Hill Church on October 14, 2014.
7. What was the outcome of the investigation into accusations against Mark Driscoll?
The investigation concluded that Driscoll had not been charged with immorality, illegality, or heresy. He maintained that he had not disqualified himself from ministry.
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