Mark Piester
Mark grew up in a close-knit, Christian home in a picturesque community on the central coast of California. He is the third of six children, and the family attended church regularly throughout his childhood. It wasn’t until Mark was in college that his youngest sister (a new Christian) shared Christ’s plan of salvation with him and he yielded his life to Him.
While attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Mark attended a lecture by Richard Wurmbrand, speaking on the persecuted church. Mark’s heart was broken for the believers of the persecuted church and he started praying for them.
After graduating from university with a B.S. degree in Horticulture, Mark began his career in this field. It wasn’t long before he sensed a deeper calling from the Lord. During the summer of 1985 he took a short-term missions trip to Eastern Europe, which involved smuggling Bibles and Christian literature into countries where God was outlawed. He witnessed a great spiritual hunger among the people for God’s Word. His desire to serve was confirmed upon meeting many loving and steadfast Christians who were persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Mark did not return to his job in the states and his “short-term” missions trip turned into what is now over 20 years of serving the Lord in Eastern Europe and Russia. Answering God’s call to his life, he stayed in the Netherlands to work with a Christian organization that ministered to people behind the iron curtain. The work changed drastically in 1989 and 90 with the fall of the former Communist countries. They could now bring Bibles and Christian literature to the people openly!
Since March of 1994, the Lord has focused Mark’s ministry in Russia, working on special projects. They encompass the purchase and distribution of Christian literature in partnership with local churches, as well as ministering to children in orphanages, youth prisons and churches. Other projects include annual summer and winter children’s camps, Christmas gift parcels to orphans and Sunday school children and pastor and missionary support of Russian nationals.
Mark is enthusiastic about the continuing work the Lord has in store; to respond, share and disciple the spiritually hungry with the hope of Jesus Christ.
Favorite Scripture: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV