Alumni Spotlight
Mark and Stacey Miller
Majors: Mark (Biblical Studies, 1991) Stacey (English, 1992)
Occupation (Mark): Executive Pastor, NewSong Church (Cleveland, Ohio); Author
Occupation (Stacey): Homemaker and ardent Ebayer, with side jobs of grant writing
and editing
Mark and Stacey have been at NewSong Church since September 1995, and he has pioneered several ministries, including two aimed at the 20-somethings and one youth ministry. He is also the creator of The Jesus Journey, an experiential retreat aimed at postmoderns that immerses participants in the story of Jesus. This year he released his first book, titled Experiential Storytelling: (Re) Discovering Narrative to Communicate God’s Word, published by Zondervan and Emergent YS, February 2004. He is also a speaker and consultant on emerging culture.
Stacey has been busy as a wife and a mother of two beautiful children.
Raegan, is 10; and Ramsay, who they adopted from Vietnam last year,
is one and a half. Stacey has also found time to put her education
to work. She has written a successful grant, has edited manuscripts
(including Mark’s initial book proposal), enjoys selling on Ebay
and is currently working on a manuscript about her seven years of secondary
infertility.
Mark and Stacey owe a lot to Evangel. He believes that Evangel prepared him for the challenges found in communicating in today’s changing culture. Mark says, “My Biblical Studies professors were stretching me, challenging me to think for myself. This helped me in what I am passionate about today — stirring the creative spirit within the Church to communicate the timeless message of Jesus.” Stacey knows that her English degree from Evangel has been put to good use. Her experience at the school gave her the confidence to step into many new endeavors.
During the six years Mark served on the Alumni Board, he would often bring prospective students with him to visit the campus when he came for board meetings. “I had such a great total experience at Evangel that I wanted the young people I was mentoring to experience what I did.”
Mark and Stacey both have great memories from the past:
- Of course, the barracks and long hallways will always be in their minds. Mark particularly liked the story of how his Essential Christianity class was in the former operating room of the hospital. “You don’t get that story from alumni from other campuses.”
- The fun of Spring Flings and Harvest Fests . . . Mark enjoyed the tradition of the girls asking the guys out, and Stacey loved the student-created entertainment of the evening.
- The phrase “integration of faith and learning” being riveted into their brains. It’s still in there as they both still enjoy learning.
- They remember a lot of the casual conversations with professors. Mark said, “I still can recall several of those conversations outside of class. Each professor was extremely approachable, and they modeled leadership as well as great teaching”
- The great relationships that were formed continue to be some of the best memories. “We are still in touch with many of our friends from Evangel. The great people — from students to professors — are what made the difference.”
Evangel definitely made an indelible mark on Mark and Stacey’s lives. It played a big role in equipping them for life, and they both look forward to what God has in store for them and their family.