The Singer

Growing up in a single parent home in inner-city Dallas, Mark Marquez had a dream to use his gift of music to impact people. Learning the hard lessons that came from growing up on the streets, he longed for something more fulfilling out of life.

As the years passed and Mark grew up, he found a moderate degree of musical success singing in regional Tejano bands, yet the recognition and lifestyle that went with it still seemed to leave him empty.

Leaving music behind and finding career success in the Health Club industry ultimately brought Mark and his young wife Lacie to Corpus Christi, TX in 2003, where he managed a national fitness club for a season. Even though he had the outside appearance of happiness and health, his life was on a downward spiral.

The Visionary

In 1997 a young seminary graduate named Bil Cornelius moved to Corpus Christi, TX with a dream to start a church that would use modern methodology to communicate God’s timeless truth to a new generation of people who did not attend church.

Armed with very little in the way of resources, but possessing strong determination and faith, Pastor Bil and Jessica gave birth to Bay Area Fellowship. With unwavering perseverance, a small core group of people stayed true to the vision and BAF began to grow exponentially. Starting with literally 5-10 people in late 1997, the church was running 1,000 people in regular attendance by 2001 and over 2,000 people by 2003 when Mark moved to Corpus Christi.

Destiny Prevails

Growing up without a male role model, Mark had a hard time making the choices conducive to having a healthy marriage and spiritual life. Searching for guidance, he felt led to visit the “crazy church” that just happened to be across the street from his apartment. The decision to follow through and actually attend services would end up changing his life forever…

“I came to church, desperate, broken, in need of truth and help, and to be quite honest, counsel. I sat in this church and had never really gone to church before. I had encountered God as a young boy, but never understood Him. As I sat, I heard some amazing music, and having been involved in music, I knew this was great! I watched the drummer (Paul Schulz) and he had something special–something I needed. Then Pastor Bil began to speak, and I felt as if there was no one else in the room. His message challenged and inspired me. Since that point, my marriage, my life and my heart have and are being restored! I cannot see myself ever doing anything else than reaching the lost through music.” Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.