The clergy and people of the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross have a busy week ahead mapped out for a special guest: Mark Russell, CEO of Church Army.  Mark will address the annual clergy conference which meets in Ballylickey, Co. Cork from Wednesday 16th until Friday 18th October.  The overall theme of the week is ‘A Time for Confidence.’

On Saturday, 19th October Mark will speak at two events.  First, the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, is hosting a breakfast for leaders of the future in the Diocese.  Having spoken at it, Mark Russell will the be the speaker at a Celebration of Lay Ministry in the Diocese in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork at 12 noon.  All are welcome to attend that Service along with many of the lay church workers in the Diocese.

Mark Russell

Mark Russell was appointed as Chief Executive of Church Army at the age of 31 in 2006. In this role he leads a society of over 300 full-time Evangelists and is an advocate for evangelism in the wider church. He is a sought-after conference speaker for events such as New Wine, Alpha Home Focus, Soul Survivor and other national conferences. He has been a contributor on the BBC’s Heaven and Earth Show, Sky News, BBC Radio 4’s PM and various BBC regional radio shows. Mark is a natural evangelist and has led missions in many countries around the world such as China, Finland, Australia, USA and Sweden.

Mark is a member of the Archbishops’ College of Evangelists, a Reader in the Church of England, a member of the Council of Reference for Youth for Christ, and for Fusion student ministry.  Mark is also an Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral.

Mark grew up in Northern Ireland and read Law at Queens’ University in Belfast. At 21 he was one of the youngest licensed local preachers in the Methodist Church in Ireland. After two years of trouble shooting management in industry he served for three years as Youth Pastor of Lurgan Methodist Church in Northern Ireland. Mark developed a creative schools ministry, and became chaplain to a high school. He was a member of the Methodist Conference.

In 1998 he helped develop ONEder, an ecumenical youth congregation. In 1999 Mark was awarded the British Gas Tomorrow’s People Award for his cross-community work bringing Catholic and Protestant young people together across Northern Ireland. In 2000 Mark was appointed as Youth Minister of Christ Church Chorleywood and helped grow an exciting and dynamic youth ministry.

In 2004 he was appointed as the youngest member of the Archbishops’ Council, the senior strategic body of the Church of England. Alongside this he was a member of the General Synod, and became one of the best known speakers, know for his passionate commitment to mission, particularly with younger people.  His term of office on both bodies ended in 2011.