Former Pastor with EMMC Retires After 50 Years of Ministry

Receiving information and requests from individuals who have had connections with EMMC over the years comes at different times for various reasons. A recent email from James Smith advised EMMC of the upcoming retirement of his dad, Mark C. Smith. With that information came the invitation for letters of congratulations and encouragement to be sent for the celebration.

Altona EMMC had the privilege of having Mark and Maisie Smith as part of their congregation in the early 1980s. The Smiths were involved in various areas, demonstrating their love for God and people through camp and youth work, Christian Service Brigade and in Bible study ministries.

In July 1982, Mark resigned from promising gainful employment at D.W. Friesen Printing in Altona to go into full-time ministry. The EMMC Board of Missions and Service assigned them to the Lakeside Gospel Chapel in St. Laurent MB. They began ministry there on September 1, 1982.

Mark took time away from pastoring to go for additional training at Briercrest College in Caronport SK. He returned to pastoring at St. Thomas Gospel Church, Ontario. He resigned from that position in December 1989 leading to their move to New Brunswick. From there he would serve with other churches before moving overseas to his final role as a pastor of Thurso Baptist Church in Scotland until the present.

As Mark Clinton Smith retires after 50 years of faithful service, we pray God’s blessing on him and his ministry.

May God keep you and guide you.

Written by Lil Goertzen with additional information from the Smith family