Mark Lee Marchak

Mark Lee Marchak was born in Passaic, NJ on September 29, 1950. He is the son of second-generation parents with roots in Russia and Slovakia. His father, John Marchak, was a professional boxer, a chemical engineer, and later in life he was the pastor of a Russian/English Baptist church. His mother, Ruth Cilo, was a phone operator who later became a banker. Mark had one younger brother, John. The family moved to numerous places during Mark’s childhood: Garfield, NJ, Kansas City, MO, Hackettstown, NJ, and finally Montclair NJ.

Mark always had a calling to ministry and chose to study Theology at Taylor University in Indiana, where he also wrestled and played football. Afterwards he would get his Master’s Degree in Theology at Denver Seminary in Colorado. He was hired by Missions door in 1975 and would continue to work with them for 45 years before retiring, first as Team Leader in New York City and then as the mission's Director of City Ministry. While raising support in Rumney, New Hampshire in 1976, Mark met his future wife, Karen Bixler. The following year they were married and moved together to New York City where they lived in Greenpoint, Brooklyn for 25 years, followed by Staten Island for 22 more. Mark and Karen had two children, Alena (1981) and Aron (1983).

Mark’s achievements with Missions Door are numerous, but he was most proud of the role he played in helping to foster the growth of cultural diversity within the Missions Door team, and in his direct engagement with urban and immigrant communities to spread the word of God. Mark also found great joy in teaching and interacting with students. For over 20 years he taught Urbacad, even contributing his distinct computer line drawings for the artwork in the workbooks. After retirement he wrote a book entitled “Releasing What is Not Ours to Hold: White Evangelicals in Non-White America.”

In addition to his missions work, Mark was an avid art lover and painter, and a huge NY sports fan – his favorite team was the Yankees. Mark was also a fervent collector of old 1930s/40s monster movie memorabilia, particularly anything involving his favorite actor Bela Lugosi.

He is survived by his wife Karen, and his two children Alena and Aron. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.