San Tan Valley - Queen Creek, Arizona

Role: Lead Pastor

Email Mark: mark@discoverONE.net

Bio:

1. Born In: Germany (Oct. 15)
2. Lived In: Germany, Switzerland, Michigan, Indiana
3. Family: My wife Shannon (married 1999), and three cute daughters: Miana ('05), Keira ('06), and Anika ('09)
4. CDs in car: Can't play any, daughter stuck quarters into the "piggy bank" a.k.a. CD slot.
5. For fun: Sports (soccer, snowboard, volleyball, roller hockey, mountain bike), play with my girls, walks with my wife, travel, coffee with friends
6. Cartoon character most like: Fred from Scooby Doo
7. Favorite movie: Meet the Parents
8. Best snack in the world: Lindt Swiss Chocolate and Pringles – but not together.
9. If you had two grand to blow what would you do? Go to a race driving school – I mean, give my wife a shopping spree.

Mark Krenz - a little more of the story...

For those of you who just need to know more than some little fun facts about this younger-looking guy leading this new church, here ya go...

I was born in Germany when it was still West Germany. Without me knowing a lick of English we moved to the U.S. in 1978 – I was six then (quick, do the math to figure out how old I am). I’m sure the kids at school meant well when they called me “German boy”.

Fast Forward... I graduated Wayne State University in Detroit in 1994 with a Bachelors degree. My mostly useless major was Political Science/Pre-law (although, I was a juvenile probation officer for two years). In 1994, the year before starting Law School I spent a year in Europe where I attended a small Bible School - only 11 students. Did I say small? I learned some good things and thoroughly enjoyed seeing Europe. During this time I strongly felt God leading me to change my vocational path from law to ministry. Talk about a fork in the road!

After much wrestling, I was off to seminary. I decided to go to a bigger school. From 1995-1999 I went Anderson University School of Theology in Indiana where I first earned my Masters of Divinity degree (don’t worry... you don’t have to call me divine master). In 2003 I finished my dissertation (and my 12th year of studies after high school!) and received my Doctor of Ministry degree. I really should be a lot smarter. Don’t worry... you don’t have to call me Rev. Dr. Mark Krenz. My mom named me Mark, and that seems good to me.

Very important quick rewind...In 1997 I met my wife Shannon on a missions trip to the tropical forests of Costa Rica. Then, in 1998 I proposed to her on a Gondola over the snow-covered Swiss Alps. How could she say no? In 1999 we married in Indiana. Okay, so two out of three exotic locations isn’t bad. Shannon graduated from AU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Science and a Master’s degree in Theological Studies.

For nine years my wife and I lead the student ministry at South Meridian Church of God in Anderson, IN. During our time there the youth ministry grew from about 20 kids to well over 100 with over 50 students being baptized. These years developed in us a passion to see this generation turn their hearts to God. We ate a lot of pizza too.

For many years an itch in my heart to start a new church kept getting itchier. On January 21, 2007 we started ONE Community Church. What an awesome ride we’re on! The top is down. The sun is shining. Hop in. Let’s go!