John Markum

Tag: old

Looking Back – Moving Forward

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Forward

“This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls…” Jeremiah 6:16

Happy New Year! 2014 is officially upon us. I don’t know about you, but 2013 was one of the best years of my life.

– I said goodbye to the best sending church in the world.
– I made the biggest, most anticipated move in my life.
– My family was joined by 6 other friends and fellow ministry partners.
– We began the groundwork of launching a new church in the San Jose, CA area. Continue reading “Looking Back – Moving Forward”

30 Favorite Memories

Posted on by johnmarkum


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.

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

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