Rev. Dr. Mark Waterstone

Welcome Our Senior Minister Candidate

“In our church family, everyone will be Seen, Known, and Loved.”

— Rev. Dr. Mark Waterstone

About Mark

It is with great joy that the Search Committee introduces Mark Waterstone as our Senior Minister Candidate. Mark currently serves as Senior Pastor at Rose Park Church in Holland, Michigan, where he lives with his wife, Samantha, and their two children—Simon, age 7, and Winnie, age 5.

From our first conversations, it was clear that Mark brings both genuine warmth and a remarkable gift for connecting with people. His guiding vision—that in our church family, everyone will be Seen, Known, and Loved—resonated deeply with us. Early in the process, the Search Committee recognized Mark as the ideal person to carry forward SCC’s spiritual traditions, practices, and welcoming culture so lovingly built by Paul and Laura over the past 31 years.

Family Life

Mark’s preaching style is thoughtful, relatable, and grounded in story. One reference noted, “His faith shines through in his sermons and in his relationships with others.” He is deeply committed to compassionate pastoral care and believes the church’s reach should extend well beyond its walls and into the wider community. Like many of us, Mark considers music essential to worship and is dedicated to supporting youth in both their spiritual and personal growth, building on his earlier youth ministry experience.

Relationships are at the heart of Mark’s ministry. He values trust, mutual investment, and the joy of walking alongside others in faith. The importance of family has been a constant thread throughout his life. Mark and Samantha have been married for 11 years, and references describe them as a closely-knit, loving family who truly enjoy one another. Samantha, Simon, and Winnie are woven into Mark’s life as a pastor—and he into theirs as husband and father. Mark often speaks about their evening walks, a cherished ritual that keeps them grounded in the midst of a busy life.

Active & Adventurous

The Waterstones are also an active, athletic family. Both Mark and Samantha are accomplished runners; Simon loves baseball (with Mark as his Little League coach!); and Winnie loves to play soccer and basketball. Samantha works as a client service advisor in the financial industry, balancing her professional role with the heart and dedication she brings to their family.

Ministry & Calling

Mark earned his BA in Religion, with a minor in Ministry, from Hope College in 2011. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary in 2014, along with two prestigious awards, and was ordained that same year. In 2023, he completed his Doctorate of Divinity at Western Theological Seminary.

His path to ministry began early, inspired by his older brother’s journey through seminary—but also shaped by his desire to find his own spiritual calling. His early roles included serving as Youth Director at Rose Park Church (2011–2014) and completing Clinical Pastoral Education at Duke University Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where he served in a year-long chaplain residency.

In 2015, Mark began his first Senior Minister role at First Church in Sanborn, Iowa, where he helped increase attendance and membership. In 2019, he was called back to Rose Park Church, where he led financial stabilization and significant growth in numbers, love, spirituality, and acceptance.

Why SCC?

We are deeply grateful that Mark and Samantha are following a calling to SCC. During their visit, they felt the energy, kindness, and compassion of our congregation, and Mark recognized how our traditional worship aligns with his own ministerial heart. He is eager to immerse himself in our traditions, build strong relationships, and share his life, faith, and family with us.

Mark believes ministry begins with relationships. He looks forward to getting to know each of you—not only as members of the church, but as fellow travelers in faith and life. We believe you will find in him a compassionate, humble, and inspiring leader who will walk with us through both the joys and the challenges ahead.

This is a sacred moment for our church family. Together, we honor the legacy we have been given and step forward into what God has next for us—with hope, gratitude, and joy.