Originally from Glendale Heights IL, Mark has been married to his college sweetheart, Kelle, for 20 years and they have four children from elementary to teen years: Caleb, Caysie, Josiah and Haiven. He loves to play with his kids, watch sci-fi movies, bike for long distances, golf poorly, barbecue and paint. He is a proficient juggler who loves Portillo's Hot Dogs, Hu Hot Mongolian Grill and Giordano's Pizza.

Mark Ashton serves as the Lead Pastor of Christ Community Church, a Christian and Missionary Alliance church in Omaha, Nebraska with over 4,000 in weekly attendance. Mark began at CCC on April 1, 2006 teaching in a multi-venue environment and providing leadership and direction to a staff of 50. His 20 years of ministry experience include serving as the Pastor of Spiritual Discovery at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL and as an Evangelism Specialist for InterVarsity Fellowship in Champaign, IL. Mark holds two Bachelor of Science degrees - in economics and marketing from the University of Illinois and has completed graduate work at Lincoln Christian Seminary, Grace University and Crown College.

Mark has spoken at Universities, Churches and conferences all over the United States, helping students, professors, families and professionals discover the powerful love and truth of Jesus. He has taught leaders and led Missons trips in 14 countries on 6 continents. The international project closest to his heart is the Hospital for Women and Children in Mali, Africa, where over 7000 babies have been safely born in the past five years. Mark led the charge for CCC to raise over 1.3 million dollars to invest in the health of the 4th poorest nation in the world in the form of Women and Children's care. In addition to ministries of compassion, Mark is considered a worldwide expert on subjects like introducing people to Jesus, helping churches to become outward focused, and leading Seeker Small Groups. His messages are downloaded over 100,000 times per year in 104 countries.