Hi. I’m Mark Bidlake, live in Plainfield Illinois, and am enrolled in the MAM program beginning with this August residential.
I was raised son and grandson of Methodist ministers (Mom and her dad), with a strong faith foundation as a child and young adult. I drifted away from the church for many years, but the core of my faith remained in my heart, dormant. Through life experiences and exposure to different faith practices around the world, that faith has been rekindled, renewed.
My Mom encouraged me “leave the world a better place than I found it”, and I have strived to do so in my professional and personal life. I’ve enrolled in the MAM program at Dubuque Seminary to help me be a better person, equip me to do more of God’s work in this life, and prepare me for a life everlasting, through God’s grace.
I have left the corporate world, and for the past three years have been ministering to couples seeking marriage. Often I can help couples make the Lord a part of their marriage, perhaps opening a door to their faith journey. Over the next year I hope to discern my future vocation.
I look forward to the interactions and relationships with faculty and fellow students, as we build community, supporting and learning from each other. Ministry is how I choose to live, 24/7/365 seeking to live more like Jesus.