Meet Our Pastors/Leaders
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Mark Marshall was ordained into ministry in 1984 and has served as pastor at Vashti Baptist Church in Vashti, Texas and Calvary Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. Mark holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas and a bachelor of science degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta. After pastoring for twelve years Mark served ten years in a national role training pastors and leading a team of 100+ employees at LifeWay where he was the Director of Leadership Training and Enrichment Events. Mark returned to the local church on May 1, 2007 as Senior Pastor of ClearView Baptist Church.
Mark is married to the former Leigh Ann Sessoms. They have two daughters, Tiffany and Brittany.
Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!”
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It is short bursts of completed work that make my day a success. Being tied to a desk for a lengthy period of time is torture, really. In those weeks where I feel the pressure of a project or too many blank pages that need to be filled and the only way to do so is to lock myself up behind my desk…torture.
I guess that is why God has allowed me to be connected with a variety of ministries and ministry leaders, giving me an excuse to work in short bursts. I guess the work process has worked, I have had the same job description for 29 years the last 14 of which have been at ClearView.
As much as I feel connected and have hands-on responsibilities for a number of ministries on our campus there is one that takes precedent, worship. The responsibility is to give direction to all of our worship services each Sunday, whether I am leading those or another team member is doing so.
One of the core values of ClearView is ‘passionate worship.’ This is evident by a lifestyle that is committed and submitted to God and that relationship is celebrated each week in a corporate gathering. I am passionate about my relationship with God and I want that passion to be evident in how I plan services, lead services and lead teams.
On a more personal note I am blessed to live with three people who are also passionate about God: my wife of 30 years Melissa, a school psychologist for Williamson County Schools; my daughter Meagan, who is a graduate of Lee University and my son, Spencer, a junior in high school who is active in the worship bands on our campus.
If you call me some day and don’t find me at my desk know that I was there recently but have moved on to something else, I will be back soon…but not for long.
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I am so grateful that God called me to serve His people at ClearView. ClearView is the type of church that has allowed my whole family to be themselves and grow spiritually. My wife, Anne, has been by my side for over 18 years and is the love of my life. Without her I would be….(I’ll let you fill-in the blanks). Our three children have pulled out most of my hair, but I love them. Emily, our oldest, has started driving and I have noticed my prayer life increase. She and I talk about how to meet the needs of the world through the gospel – that’s awesome. Caroline has more energy and determination than I ever remember having – she is a sweet reflection of her mother. When she is not at play practice or studying she is fighting me for the remote (yes, we have a TV). Ben is ten. Ben likes to play baseball, basketball, football…ball. Ben and I like to golf, play driveway basketball (I’m still undefeated – not for long). Anne and I are so thankful that all three truly know Jesus as their Savior and live out His promises!
I’ve served churches in Texas, Florida and Tennessee. We love Williamson County and the opportunities it provides for sharing the gospel and seeing believers become true disciples of the Lord. At ClearView we believe if a person is not reproducing themselves in others they cannot call themselves a disciple. This is the entire meaning of the Great Commission. With those words we build our ministries from Adult Bible Study, Men's Ministry, Women's Ministry, Deacons - the whole of how we minister. The value we place on God's word is our core for genuine Bible study - His word is true and daily impacts the lives of those who engage in it's truth. As we study His word in small groups we exchange truth along with developing spiritual relationships for accountability and growth. I have said it many times over these 7 plus years - ClearView is a healthy church that seeks to bring glory to God.
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A day in the life of Mr. Shane
Wake up, quiet time, update face book, check some emails, feed my 6 dogs Raleigh, Savannah, Piper, Madison, Gracie, & Franklin and then watch them all jump on the bed to wake up my wife Heather.
Do some pushups and pull ups before my shower, get cleaned up and grab some yogurt, oh don't forget to share the last few bites with Madison who is sitting there so patiently waiting for her taste.
Hopefully it is sunny so I can go to my favorite hangout, my workshop, and saddle up on my motorcycle. The drive includes, music, watching for the deer, and some good turns the full 2.5 miles to work.
Arrive at work, admire the latest modification to the motorcycle, and head into the office. Almost every day I am greeted by Jennie Ross with a very cherry "Good morning Sir". From there, it could be returning phone calls, emails, staff meetings, and sorting out the piles of paper on my desk. Then lunch! Hopefully it is with our staff or some of our volunteers or parents. Time to just listen to people share what's going on in their life and enjoy some good food, especially if we go to The Daily Dish!
Back to work, maybe another planning meeting or time to catch up on communication with the church. Hopefully there will be a 4:00 meeting with a child who wants to be baptized soon. A little more work, and if I am lucky, it might involve some tools.
Head home, dinner with Heather, and some days we go to the Y for Yoga class. With the time left in the night, we may study together or discuss what we have learned today, people we met with or call our family. From there, it could be a late night run to Wal-Mart or the grocery store. Then it’s time to put the dogs away and head to bed.
This would be a good day in the life of Mr. Shane.
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A high school teacher who invested in me as a student told me you should be involved with preschoolers in some way some day. I heard her words, but had no idea that God had this in His plans for my life…
In 1994 I began serving on staff at First Nashville and in 1999 went fulltime as Minister to Children. In the fall of 2007 I felt the call to leave and in January 2008 I started my service to ClearView Baptist as Minister to Preschool. It was like coming home as in 1986 I thought we would be joining ClearView as members, but God said no. Of course looking back He had a plan in mind that I would get here eventually!
When not at ClearView I enjoy my home that I share with my husband Deane, 32 years together, our daughter Emily who is beginning her high school experience, Bryan a sophomore at WKU and we enjoy the company of our married daughter Amanda and her husband Kyle when they visit. We also share our home with my mom and 3 tabbies Sunny, Sunshine and Stormy.
I am so grateful to be able to serve in this place and with the littlest of God’s creation.
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“I’ve seen your name” is a comment I hear frequently. I am Alisa Davis, ClearView’s Financial Officer. I was raised in Grenada, Mississippi, about 300 miles from here. I graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in accounting. I was not the typical certified public accountant sort and not really sure how to use my degree. A traveling auditor position led me to a permanent job in Montgomery, Alabama. I attended school at night and earned a Master of Business Administration. Our family grew with the addition of two sweet babies and life was good, as they say in Alabama.
After my family moved to Franklin, Tennessee in 1999, we soon found a community of believers at ClearView that we loved. Some years later, God created a stirring in my heart and opened a door for me to serve at ClearView in the Finance Office.
Giving has a way of “Transforming Lives” like no other behavior, for giving is a reflection of the heart. As the Church’s Financial Officer, God has allowed me a glimpse into the hearts of His people and shown me that He is at work right here where we live and work and all across the world.
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If there’s coffee brewing, I’ll find it. I go through my days and nights with a craving for creativity and coffee. I enjoy looking at a problem from all sides with a warm mug of “Joe” in hand and exploring all the possible solutions. The blank page is a constant companion, begging to be filled with thoughts turned to words, music and of course coffee stains. Did you know if you stare long enough into a mug of hot coffee that more times than not you’ll see your inner thoughts and dreams reflected back at you. Some people have said that a cup of clear hot water would give the same effect. I think not, it is entirely too clear to allow one to discover the hidden secrets in the darkness of an extra bold, steaming cup of contemplation.
The Worship band is guided by these core values:
- God’s Word – That everything we play, sing and our daily walk is guided by God’s Word.
- Passionate Worship – We are called to worship, but not just worship – passionate worship from the depth of our hearts, holding nothing back.
- Prayer – That everything we do is bathed in prayer, so that we can be guided by the Holy Spirit.
- Missions – That we reach out with music to every person. To support those who believe and help God speak to those who are searching.
- Transform Lives – That through the act of passionate worship we can change lives for Christ and in doing so continue to change ours with growth in Christ.
