College of Bible and Ministry Alumnus of the Year 2026 — Mark Finn (’82)

Mark Finn earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible from Harding, a Master of Divinity from Harding School of Theology and a Master of Education in counseling from Temple University in Philadelphia. He currently serves as minister for the Collingswood Church of Christ in Collingswood, New Jersey. He received the Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Sabbatical in 2003 and also serves as chaplain for Collingswood Police and Fire Departments and leads preachers’ meetings at Delaware Valley Church of Christ. He and his wife, Rebecca Ganus (‘’82), have three children, Kevin (’08), Stephen and Katherine (’13).

Who were your major influences during your time at Harding?

Faculty that influenced me include: Neale Pryor, Jimmy Allen, Jerry Jones, Don Shackelford and Harold Hazelip. Classmates that influenced me are Fred Strasser and Byron Fike. Alumni that influenced me include: Owen Olbricht, Jim Woodruff and Landon Saunders.

How are you living your Inspired Purpose?

By God's grace, I'm living my purpose by planting myself and my family in the field God assigned to us. I’m building for the future at one church, in one place, continually mentoring younger leaders for the past 39 years.

What makes your field rewarding?

Longterm local full-time ministry doesn't bring many earthly rewards or recognition but certainly passes the "It's a Wonderful Life" test, recalling that classic 1949 Jimmy Stewart movie. The realization that many people's lives and your community are different because you have been serving there. Once you get over your youthful ambition and comparing yourself to others, that awareness of having made a difference is very rewarding.

How do you get to serve God and others through the work that you do?

You are there for all the ups and downs of people's lives: weddings and funerals, graduations, crises, births and baptisms. Week after week you are proclaiming the Word of God, teaching, writing, planning outreach events, fundraising, counseling and maintaining a daily online presence. The opportunities are so endless that you must wisely choose where to focus your energies. You regularly run up against your limits. My dear wife has been a wise voice of reason to save me from toxic good intentions and overcommitment. She has been a ready, faithful partner in all aspects of our ministry. My work would not be possible without her.

What else should we know about you?

My personal interests, when time allows, are writing, photography, home repair, guitar, the great outdoors, old movies and all genres of music.