The children at St. Mark Community Preschool love walking down to the Church Sanctuary once a month to join Pastor Mark for their monthly chapel. Each month Pastor Mark enjoys sharing stories, songs, and prayers with all our classrooms. Pastor Mark also participates in various events during the school year where all families are invited to join us for our Chapel time.
Mark Davis was raised in Hampton, VA, attending and being educated for ministry in the Pentecostal Holiness Church. After college he attended Union Presbyterian Seminary in VA, and shortly after began the journey of becoming a Presbyterian pastor.
In January, 2014, Mark accepted a call to serve as the pastor of St. Mark Presbyterian Church, a vital, socially active congregation in Newport Beach. Mark is also active in the Presbytery of Los Ranchos, moderating the Generative Catalyst Team, which is responsible for cultivating a spirit of innovation and faithful responses to what God is doing in the world. Mark has also been a featured speaker at conferences, workshops, and retreats on theology, biblical studies, and worship.
Ordained in 1996, Mark holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology, Ethics and Culture from the University of Iowa and a Doctor of Ministry from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Virginia. He is the author of two books: Talking About Evangelism, (May 2006), and Left Behind and Loving It (Fall 2011), as well as numerous articles, book reviews, and essays. In addition, Mark blogs intensive Bible studies regularly at Left Behind and Loving It and occasionally at Mark of St. Mark.
Mark is a music lover who writes, sings, and plays the saxophone, particularly with St. Mark’s Synerjazz Trio. Mark and his wife, Chris, have four delightful children ranging in age from 15 to 26 and a shy rabbit named George.
Ms. J visits SMCP monthly in order to provide all of our classrooms an enriching learning program involving music and movement. Ms. J has a beautiful singing voice and the children love enjoying her music classes as they learn about music in a fun and interactive way!
Ms. Jarjour is the founder of Musika studio, voice Faculty at Vanguard University, and the director of her own world music ensemble, Zetune. She started her musical training at age five by taking piano lessons and singing in her church choir. With the support and encouragement of her parents and grandfather, she decided to pursue a music career as a singer at age 15 when she began her classical vocal training.
After high school, she moved to the United States and went on to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Arts from Cal State Fullerton School of Music. While at Fullerton, she enjoyed singing opera, traveling to Europe with the choir, and collaborating with her fellow musicians.
During this time Saousan also began teaching at local studios around Orange County. This new experience introduced her to a different side of music: learning and giving. She became interested in Early Childhood Music and Elementary programs in which she received certificates for Early Childhood training programs.
While gaining experience as a teacher, Saousan continued her own education at USC Thornton School of Music, where she obtained her Master’s Degree. This cultivated her love for teaching further by introducing her to new classes on Education, performing, and management.
While at USC, Saousan started Musika Studio. This became a door to opening new friendships while witnessing the journey and transformation of students over the years. Through teaching music, Saousan finds it rewarding to help children and adults feel better, confident and happy with who they are, to discover new skills, and overcome challenges.
She loves finding and discovering different styles and tools that fit with each student needs. In addition, Saousan enjoys working with children who have Autism and other behavioral disorders. Her core belief is that everyone should experience music, and each experience is unique.
