Mark Atherton is the founder of LifeWords. After 11 years in the pastorate, Mark turned a new page in his ministry. His desire to preach and teach has prompted him to focus on these gifts more fully.  

Mark has been married for 15 years to the former Sue Ewing of Platteville, Wisconsin. Sue is a stay-at-home mom who taught high school mathematics for 12 years. She is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University. They have two sons, Christopher, who is 7 years old and Levi, who is 5.  They are also blessed to have foster children in thier home from time to time.

Mark is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and Asbury Theological Seminary. For 14 years he was a high school and college basketball coach. At the age of 34, he became a Christian and two years later answered God's call to full-time ministry. 

Mark has pastored churches in Kentucky, Georgia and Ohio.  He has planted two churches and is presently assistant district superintendent for the Southwestern Ohio District of the Church of the Nazarene.