30 Favorite Memories

This week I reached a milestone: my 30th birthday. As I turn the corner on my 20’s, I couldn’t help but reminisce. Here are 30 of my favorite memories across 30 years of life.

Giving my life to Christ/Getting baptized. Age 7. Grace Baptist Church, Columbus, GA.
Fishing at “The Crappie Hole” with my Dad. Age 11. Ft. Benning, GA.
Hitting my first home run. Age 12. Post Team. Wahiawa, HI.
Preaching my first message (scared to death!). Age 14. Lanakila Baptist Church. Waipahu, HI.
The summer I spent with my cousins in OK. Age 15. Stillwater, OK.
Missions trip to Panama (life-defining!). Age 17. Panama City, Panama.
Arriving at Bible College alone (learning faith). Age 18. Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO.
Leading 30+ kids to Christ at the Boy’s and Girls Club with my best friend Lucas in one afternoon. Age 19. Springfield, MO.
Becoming a Resident Assistant (I learned a LOT!). Age 20. Springfield, MO.
Seeing Tiffany Pendley for the very first time. Age 21. Leesburg, FL.
My last “first kiss”. Age 21. Madiera Beach, FL.
Taking 2nd place in college-wide preaching tournament/1st place in Duet Acting (wrong career?). Age 22. BBC. Springfield, MO.
Asking Tiffany to marry me. Age 22. Springfield, MO.
Parents’ surprise arrival for my graduation. Age 22. Springfield, MO.
Walking the stage/receiving my degree. Age 22. Springfield, MO.
Watching Tiffany walk down the aisle to me. Age 22. St. Petersburg, FL.
Moving from Missouri to Virginia (Tiff slept the entire way there). Age 22.
Coming home to my wife for the first time. Age 22. Fairfax, VA.
Baby #1: Emilee. Age 23. Fairfax, VA.
My ordination. Age 24. Fairfax, VA.
Financial Hardship (Learned to trust God). Age 25. Springfield, MO.
Baby #2: Kaliana. Age 25. Springfield, MO.
Getting hired at Edgewood. Age 26. Rock Island, IL.
Starting The Awakening, our Saturday night service. Age 27. Rock Island, IL.
Baby #3: Josiah. Age 27. Moline, IL.
Preaching at Lucas’ Youth All-Nighter (LOTS of teens got saved). Age 28. Richmond, IN.
Anniversary trip to California with Tiffany (7 years married). Age 29. Santa Clara, CA.
Missions Trip to help start Audacity Church. Age 29. Wichita, KS.
Baby#4: Elijah. Age 29. Moline, IL.
Being blessed by so many people that God has placed in my life over 30 years.

It’s been amazing. I cant wait to see what God does next.

Blessings,

John

Leadership Podcast

6 Decisions BEFORE becoming a Lead Pastor

00:00 / 27:10

6 Decisions BEFORE becoming a Lead Pastor

Jan 13, 2017 • 27:10

Most of being a first-time lead pastor is learning as you go. While this was (and is) definitely true of me, there were six decisions I had made prior to stepping into this role, that I think other pastors and leaders could benefit from.
Creating Church Culture

Jan 19, 2017 • 25:36

In this podcast, John talks about branding, values, language, and celebrating as pieces to creating a healthy church culture.
Separation of Church and State

Feb 10, 2017 • 29:52

In this podcast, I talk about the Immigration Ban, and how the church should be approaching such issues regarding our response to government, and proclamation of the gospel.
Advice to those in Bible College

Feb 24, 2017 • 22:45

Here I give advice on what students preparing for vocational ministry should be doing now to get the most of what is waiting for them after graduation.
Christian Boycotts???

Mar 3, 2017 • 26:45

There’s always something to be upset about. Should Christians exert the energy and outrage in protesting the world and it’s values? Or rather in living differently, and loving the world creatively and compassionately towards Jesus? Hear me out… this isn’t talked about enough!
Live the Word

Mar 8, 2017 • 15:48

Not going to lie. I smell fake from a mile away. My guess is, you probably do to. And people who know the Bible, but don’t actually want to live it cuts me the deepest. In this podcast, I talk about the difference between knowing God’s Word and actually living…
Preaching, episode 1: What is Preaching

Aug 28, 2017 • 31:33

In this podcast, Pastor John unpacks the first of a handful of episodes intended to coach you in your growth as a preacher. Download the Handout for this episode.
Preaching, episode 2: Writing a sermon

Sep 2, 2017 • 17:50

How does one go about writing a sermon? In this podcast episode, Pastor John gets into the cadence of a good sermon, and how to lead people toward a compelling application. Click here for the outline
Preaching, episode 3: Sermon Delivery

Nov 29, 2017 • 41:45

In episode three, we look at HOW we preach and deliver our sermons. A “must listen” for the new preacher, and a great fresh perspective for the seasoned preaching veterans.
Bivocational Ministry

Jun 3, 2019 • 26:49

Bivocational Ministry is becoming more valuable than ever. Enjoy this episode as we been to discuss the needs, challenges, and advantages of being in bivocational ministry. To support this podcast and other resources from Pastor John, visit www.patreon.com/johnmarkum – thank you for your support.