Who is Mark Sommers?

Growing up in Flint, I often came to Wilderness State Park with my family to camp and fish, and it was at that point in time that I fell in love with this special part of Emmet County. Throughout my adult years I continued our family tradition of bringing my family to Wilderness State Park.

In 2012 my wife Kathlyne and I were fortunate enough to find a home near Wilderness State Park, and when I retired in 2021 we made the First District of Emmet County our home.

Family

• My grandfather was part of the famous Sit Down Strike that created the UAW.

• My father was a Flint Cop who retired as a Chief.

• My mother was the first female department head at what is now known as Consumer’s Energy.

Education

• While attending college, I served as youth director at a local church and sensed that Christian ministry was my life’s calling.

• After college, I graduated from seminary and for the next 35 years served three different mainline congregations as Senior Minister.

• As I learned through doing, I also learned in the classroom, where I gained a Bachelors Degree in Education and Psychology, a Master’s of Divinity and a Doctorate in Organizational Renewal.

Vocation

• At each congregation I served, income and participation increased significantly, and buildings were expanded and renovated.

• In each of these settings, I led the congregation in considerable involvement in the local community. From supporting veterans and their families, providing college scholarships to local students, to helping homeless families find employment and housing, we became known as people who put their faith into action.

• In 2021, I retired as Senior Minister Emeritus from a 1,800 member congregation that was one of the founders of Syracuse University.

• My focus during those 35 years was on turning troubled congregations around and helping them to thrive.