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ST. MARK LUTHERAN CHURCH the welcome place 436 NORTH OAK AVENUE, CLIFTON HEIGHTS, PA. 19018 610-626-5295

Pastor Christopher J. Franz (“Pastor Chris”) has served at St. Mark since 1995. He graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from The Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, in 1995. His Clinical Pastoral Education was at St. Mary Hospital, Langhorne, PA. He graduated with a dual B.S. Degree (in Finance and Economics), Cum Laude, from Drexel University, Philadelphia, in 1991 and from Sun Valley High School, Aston, PA in 1986. During 2006, Pastor Chris and the St. Mark congregation will be celebrating the partnership that has existed between them for the past ten years. The celebrations began with a special potluck lunch held on Sunday, December 18, 2005 to honor his ordination on December 16, 1995.     Pastor Chris is single. His parents, John and Elfriede Franz, reside in Brookhaven, PA. As an only child, he enjoys having countless “brothers and sisters in Christ”. His goals are as follows:

To lead the continued growth of St. Mark’s mission to proclaim the Good News of Jesus through Word and action.

To inspire the faith of people, in all walks of life and in all age groups, through preaching, teaching and commitment to providing conscientious pastoral care.

To expand St. Mark’s presence in the community by adding to its many ministries which include: our Christian School (Mom’s Morning Out, Nursery School and All-Day Kindergarten), KidsTime, our before and after-school program, Kids Closet, our children's thrift shop, Volunteer Tutoring at Westbrook Park Elementary School, our Faith in Action ministry which includes two ministries serving our homeless brothers and sisters, Aid for Friends, support for a missionary and his wife, and a number of other activities, Youth Community Service and hosting Alcoholics Anonymous, Scouts and The Act One! School of the Performing Arts.

    When asked why he became a clergyman, Pastor Chris says: "I sensed a call to serve as an ordained pastor because of the gifts and abilities God has given me, especially the gift to relate to people of all ages. I wanted to use those gifts to make Christ known. I enjoy having an occupation that adds a clear sense of meaning and purpose to my life."
 

Pastor Chris baptizing a baby