"To every

thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

Ecclesiastes 3:1.

I first met

Mark Johnson some 17 years ago when he was working at a local physical

fitness center and I was the new Assemblies of God pastor in the community.

He reminded me of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter. He was quiet, pleasant,

had short wavy hair and wore glasses just like the reporter for the Daily

Planet. But when Mark dressed out to lift weights, he reminded me of Clark's

other self, Kal-El from Krypton, known to earth dwellers as Superman.

The man was in excellent shape and strong as a horse. I liked him instantly.

Before long,

Mark was in attendance at our church and growing tremendously. He began

to date a beautiful girl named Natalie Eckhart, who also attended the

church. Natalie's father, Ken, a leader in the church, once said, prior

to their wedding, "If anything ever happens to me, I know that Natalie

will be cared for. Mark is one of the hardest working people I have ever

met."

Sadly, Ken

spoke prophetically. He would die unexpectedly not long after making that

observation, but he made a true statement. Mark would go to any lengths,

including working extra jobs, to provide for his wife and growing family,

which would eventually include three children.

Early on, Mark

demonstrated a call to the ministry. He also became a student of the scriptures

and was in church whenever the doors were open. Mark and his family moved

to Cleveland, Tenn., where he enrolled in Lee University to study for

the ministry.

Each and every

weekend, he would drive the five-hour round trip