The Reverend Dr. Mark Salmon, officially began his full duties with Christmas Eve service on December 24, 2019, literally weeks before a global pandemic swept through our community. It was truly fortunate for us that Mark, who has travelled the globe as a minister, and his wife Dee decided to move north to be close to their daughter Marlana, then on the faculty of Columbia University’s Teachers College, and her husband Matias, a professional illusionist. Mark’s love of the New York Yankees was also a factor in the move. They have since been blessed by the birth of their first grandson, Zayn.
Under Mark’s leadership, SSPC became one of the first churches to stream services as a means of bringing their congregations together during a time of profound isolation. Mark also put together a “friends of SSPC” group that drew to our church many members of his past congregations seeking the sense of religious community brought by weekly services, and many generously contributed financial support as well. Encouraging those watching to send in photos of themselves and their families to share, Mark soon filled the pews with a reassuring sea of those images.
Dr. Salmon is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a BA in Political Science. He received his Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1982, and his Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary in 1984. He previously served several churches in Texas, including Grace Presbyterian in urban Corpus Christi, and First Presbyterian Churches in the small towns of Denison and Belton. He most recently served as pastor and the Head of Staff at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sun City Center, Florida.
Mark has led numerous mission trips to such places as Mexico and Guatemala, among others. He hosts a show on WRMI (Radio Miami International), “The Hammer that Changed the World,” a program on Reformed Theology, available throughout the world and in rural areas via shortwave.
Mark brings an eclectic set of skills to his ministry. He is a Certified Master Hypnotherapist, a Member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, and practices puppetry and clowning. He has also served various contingencies beyond formal congregations, including ministering to the homeless, to prisoners, to those with HIV/AIDS, to orphans, as well as to professional baseball players.
