John Mark is a dreamer and a storyteller who feels deeply called to bring hope to our city through the local church. He loves movies, being outside, and sharing life with good friends and family. He loves to laugh and rarely takes himself too seriously.
John Mark joined the Coast Guard at 19 and served 8.5 years. During that time he got a Bachelor's in Religion and a Master's in Christian Ministry from Liberty Theological Seminary. Before moving to Asheville he worked as Student Director at Echo Church in San Jose, California. In 2013 he and his wife felt God calling them to plant a church. They spent the next two years building a team, planning, dreaming, and researching. In 2015 he and his family moved to Asheville to start the Gathering Church.
He married Rahel in 2010 and they have three children, Eleanor, Dagny and Elvira. Rahel is smart, funny, and detail oriented. She brings consistent wisdom and balance into their house.
Robert is a “creative” who loves production, technology, music and graphic art. He has a BA in Youth Ministry from Charleston Southern University. He is the type of guy that does a Google search on something as he feels as though a topic of conversation needs more information or a question answered. Social media, branding and marketing take a high priority when it comes to a business, organization or events. Prior to moving to the mountains of Asheville, Robert was a beach boy native of Charleston, SC.
He invested 17 years at Seacoast Church and served most recently as the worship and creative director for their student ministry, Custom Students. He and his wife, April, founded #scripturedoodle™, a creative movement of illustrating God’s Word as well as Well Crafted Retreats.
Brandon moved to Asheville with his wife, Ashley, and family to join the staff at The Gathering in 2023. Brandon and Ashley grew up in Charleston, SC and have been married since 2008 and before moving to Asheville, lived in Colorado and Nebraska. He has a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Ozark Christian College and loves reading, writing, Lego, and most recently, fishing.
Brandon’s has spent nearly two decades in full-time ministry. He loves to see kids and students discover who they are because of who Jesus is and to come alongside parents empowering them to be the primary drivers of discipleship in their homes. Brandon is the author of “Magic in the Mug,” a book all about discovering the purpose God has for you in your everyday moments.
Mark and his wife of 37 years, Mary, have been attending and serving at The Gathering since they emptied their nest in Cary, NC and moved to the area in 2019. Their four adult daughters live in NC and across the WNC area. Mark is an engineer and a business leader and currently also serves as CEO for a European software company. He has served in church leadership at his previous church in Cary and also led mission trips to Thailand, Haiti and Kenya. He serves The Gathering as an elder, on the Dream Team (Connection table with Mary), and also leads a Small Group affectionately known as "MBG"
Steven Mary is the Vice President of Presentation Impact and an accomplished International speaker with 500+ presentations on How to Present Yourself and your Ideas with Impact. He has trained and facilitated meetings for every organizational department including C-suite executives for main stage presentations at regional and national meetings. His clients include most well-known pharmaceutical companies.
As an adjunct instructor at the Law School at the University of Texas, he taught the benefit of advocacy skills for top law students preparing for mock trial competitions. As one of the top presentation coaches in the country, Steven maintains high scores and audience appreciation with techniques to enhance confidence, competence, and credibility. Steven is a coach at heart and is persuasive and passionate about helping you to look your best when it matters most.
Steven is originally from Pittsburgh, has lived in Las Vegas, Houston, and Dallas. He married Cassie in 2016 and together they lived in Austin for only one year then moved to Asheville in 2017. He spends his free time reading, exercising, or exploring coffee shops and local hiking trails with Cassie.
