About Mark 5 Ministries

Mark 5 Ministries (M5M) was founded in 2008 to meet the computing technology needs of Christians working outside the United States. M5M has helped more than 1,000 Christians around the globe by sending teams of volunteer computer technicians to conferences where these Christians gather for training and fellowship. At M5M we believe these Christians are most effective when using computing technology that is current, well managed, and professionally supported. These Christians often encounter technical problems that inhibit their effectiveness. Many of these Christians are ill-equipped to solve their computing technology problems and feel technologically stranded. The volunteers of M5M find great joy in serving God by serving others with our talents and skills. We deliver God’s grace in one of its various forms (1 Peter 4:10) – computing technology support.

Our Name

Mark 5 Ministries comes from the Bible passage Mark 5:1-20. Before I (Eric) tell you the story of Mark 5, let me tell you the story about when and where the Lord opened my eyes to this passage.

We were on our first mission trip to fix laptops at Greater Europe Missions annual conference in 2008. We spent a couple of days touring in Vienna, Austria before heading to the conference in Sopron, Hungary. Vienna is a very busy crowded tourist city, except in the early mornings. So, I enjoyed going out on the quiet streets and sitting at the base of the Dreifaltigkeitssäule (Trinity column) and having my devotions. The Trinity Column was erected in 1692 and pays tribute to “God the Father, Creator”, “God the Son, Redeemer”, and “God the Spirit, Sanctifier”. The quietness of the morning, the grandeur and significance of the Trinity Column, and the weight of our upcoming work combined to make my time with the Lord very special. As I read Mark 5, I realized that I (and our whole team) had many things in common with the demonic man.

In Mark 5:1-20 we find an amazing story. To fully appreciate this story, we must empathize with the demon possessed man, we must become emotionally involved in the story.
The demon possessed man lived a terrible tormented existence. Here is a picture of this man’s life (see Mark 5:3-5, Matthew 8:28, and Luke 8:27).

  • A wild man living among tombs (caves)
  • Screaming at all hours of the day and night
  • Naked
  • Scars, scabs, and fresh cuts from self-mutilation
  • Violent – actively violent to anyone who came close
  • Amazingly strong

How would you describe this kind of life? How would you describe this man’s pain? His suffering? Can you empathize with him?

Can you feel his pain? Can you love him? Empathy comes from love. What if he were your son? Brother? Father? You?

Imagine you are this man–tormented day and night. It is truly a terrible existence. But this is not the end of the story because Jesus steps into this man’s life and heals him (Mark 5:13). When we next see this man he is clothed, sitting quietly, and in his right mind (Mark 5:15)

Amazing!

What would be your reaction to this deliverance? What would be your reaction to your new life of peace and tranquility?
Joy! Happiness! A deep love for Jesus! A longing to be with Jesus. Maybe even a fear of leaving Jesus. After all, what if the demons should return?

This man begged to go with Jesus as Jesus was getting into the boat to leave (Mark 5:18). This man did not simply ask. He begged. Stop and reflect for a moment on the significance of the events that occurred and the power of this man’s pleading. From a terrible tormented life, to healing by Jesus, and then peace and tranquility. This man loved Jesus and desperately wanted to be with Jesus and go wherever Jesus would go.

Throughout the New Testament we see Jesus telling person after person, “Follow me. Leave your former life behind and follow me.” This time though Jesus did an amazing thing. Jesus told the formerly demon possessed man that he could not physically follow Jesus. Jesus said, “No” (Mark 5:19).

Why would Jesus tell this man, “No”?

Jesus told this man, “No”, because this man had been uniquely prepared to share the grace of God with others. Jesus called this man to abandon his own interest, his need to be with Jesus. Jesus called this man to do kingdom work, kingdom work based on the man’s life experience and God’s hand in his life.

“Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19).

This man was uniquely prepared to serve God. Uniquely prepared to do specific kingdom work. And, he was obedient to Jesus. He obeyed (Mark 5:20).

We each have unique experiences, unique preparation for specific kingdom work. For some it is because of tragedy in their lives, for others it is from success. Some have spent years studying music and musical instruments. Others have spent years studying technology.

God expects each one of us to abandon our own interests and do kingdom work. Mark 5 Ministries is a community of Christians uniquely prepared to solve computing technology problems. God has led us to do our kingdom work overseas in order to assist Christians in their work of building relationships, spreading the Gospel, and making disciples (Matthew 28:19).
Please email admin at mark5ministries.org if you would like to be a part of our community.