Pastor Mark McElreath is a fourth generation Atlanta native with a call to reach our city for Christ. He was led to Christ as a six-year-old boy by his father, Mark McElreath Sr., and was baptized at Lake City Baptist Tabernacle by Dr. James Rushing. Pastor McElreath surrendered to full-time Christian service at Venture of Faith Christian Camp in Lake Park, Georgia.

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Our pastor prepared for ministry at The Crown College in Powell, Tennessee where he earned a Bachelors in Music Ministry, a Masters in Missiology, a Master of Biblical Studies, and a Master of Divinity. He recently completed a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary. While at Crown, he worked closely with Pastor Clarence Sexton at Temple Baptist Church and drew much of his ministry philosophy from Pastor Sexton’s influence. It was also there he met his wife, Katie, and felt the Lord drawing him to the work of world evangelism.

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The Lord has prepared Pastor McElreath for this moment. As a missionary in Ethiopia, he was convinced of the power of the gospel not only to change lives, but also to change a community. As a Bible professor at Crown College, he learned not just to teach through a portion of Scripture, but to equip Bible students to study that portion of Scripture for themselves. As the Dean of the School of Ministry and program director for Crown Seminary, he learned how to give Bible answers to young people struggling with serious faith questions or seeking the next step in their Christian life. As a music director, he witnessed the power of doctrinally sound, Christ-honoring music. As a guest preacher for camps and conferences, he has seen how God changes lives through preaching that stays true to the Bible text.

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Pastor and Mrs. McElreath were married in 2009 and have five children: Macy, Mackenna, Max, Madison and Malia. They are excited to see all God will do at City Baptist Church in Atlanta.