Mark Thurman

Upon graduation from the Perkins School of Theology with a Master of Divinity, followed by ordination in the United Methodist Church in 1989, I served in the North Texas Conference before transferring in 2006 to the Yellowstone Conference (eventually merging with Rocky Mountain to become the Mountain Sky Conference).

My wife, Judy, is a Classical Chinese Medicine Qigong Practitioner, and a Licensed & Certified Sound Therapy Practitioner. We have two grown children, Madison and Joshua, as well as two small, spoiled dogs, Marbles and Boo.

I was a teenager when my family moved from Houston, Texas to Aspen, Colorado, where I graduated high school. During this time, I developed a love for the outdoor activities associated with the Rocky Mountains. I have also been a professional musician for most of my life- vocals, with accompanying piano and guitar. I enjoy virtually everything from Beethoven to the Beatles to Black Flag. And, I practice Sahaja Yoga meditation twice daily.

I continue to ponder a wood carving a member of a past congregation made for me which reads, “Faith (trust) believes the incredible, sees the invisible, and receives the impossible.” And, one of my scriptural favorites is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter four: “Rejoice in the Lord, always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”