Mark Heffner

• Lived and served in Taiwan from 1992-2019. My wife and I met while both serving in Taiwan and were married in 1993. Over the 3 decades in Taiwan, we served in a number of different roles and developed a number of different ministries and outreaches.
• Prepared and delivered mission-related presentations to church and community groups.
• Built lasting relationships with community members through genuine empathy, compassion, active listening skills.
• Developed effective communication skills by interacting with diverse populations in various settings.
• Established trust within the community through regular engagement and consistent support.
• Trained numerous new missionaries on effectively sharing the love of Christ within the Taiwanese community.
• Built relationships with local and international mission organizations for successful partnerships.
• Fostered an inclusive atmosphere where individuals from different backgrounds could come together to form a united community.
• Organized and led dozens of customized mission experiences for both adult and youth teams.
• Strengthened community relations by organizing and participating in outreach programs. Worked in local schools and universities teaching English. Organized and led sports outreach ministries. Established a Christian band, "Feeder" , that shared the Gospel thru music in public schools. Supported my wife's equine outreach ministry in public schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and parks.
• Enhanced cultural understanding by learning local customs and incorporating them into daily interactions.

Established a fellowship for the Taiwanese population that has moved to Phoenix to work for TSMC (Taiwan Semi-conductor Manufacturing Company) by implementing creative outreach strategies and community events. These included weekly ESL classes, Taiwanese holiday celebrations, community meals, and interest clubs such as hiking and basketball. As people showed interest in the Gospel, a fellowship group developed to meet weekly for dinner, fellowship, and bible study. Volunteers were developed to teach classes and lead groups. A core team of co-workers was established to lead the weekly fellowships. The classes and fellowship group are ongoing and continue to meet regularly.

Our prior experience as missionaries in Taiwan proved vital to this ministry as we speak the language and understand the culture of the Taiwanese moving to this area. Deep relational skills were critical in establishing the relationships and developing the trust needed to effectively share the gospel with this population.

• Taught all freshmen at SCS. The course focused on applying biblical knowledge a principles to different areas of life including, but not limited to, relationships, ethical issues, family dynamics, and decision making.
• Provided individualized support to struggling students, addressing their unique learning needs and helping them achieve academic success.
• Strengthened student knowledge of biblical history by integrating multimedia presentations and interactive activities into lesson plans.
• Continuously updated personal knowledge of biblical scholarship by attending conferences, participating in professional development programs, and continuing individual personal study of the Bible.
• Encouraged parental involvement in their child''s education by maintaining open lines of communication.
• Promoted spiritual growth among students through the incorporation of prayer, reflection, and service opportunities within the classroom setting.
• Developed an awareness of global Christianity thru the regular sharing of life stories from believers around the world and from my own personal experiences

My wife and I served in Taichung, Taiwan with MUP for many years until their restructuring in 2012. During these years, we were primarily "tent making" missionaries and held a number of different employment positions alongside our ministry efforts including high school Bible teacher at Morrison Christian Academy, magazine editor, ESL teacher in numerous schools and universities, and lead curriculum developer for a language school,

• Built lasting relationships with youth and parents or guardians. These families are still involved with our ministry 25 years later.
• Collaborated with church leadership to develop strategies for growing the congregation's youth ministry program. The program went from 9 students to over 80.
• Utilized various teaching techniques to effectively communicate biblical truths to young people in an engaging and relevant manner.
• Ensured a safe environment for all participants during activities by adhering to strict safety guidelines and protocols.
• Increased youth group attendance by creating dynamic worship services tailored to engage a younger audience.
• Organized successful retreats that provided opportunities for spiritual reflection, personal growth, and fellowship among peers.
• Oversaw youth ministry budget and tracked all expenses.
• Revitalized youth ministry by developing engaging programs and activities focused on spiritual growth.
• Taught and counseled youth (freshman thru seniors years)
• Mentored young adults through one-on-one discipleship sessions, fostering personal development and spiritual growth. Provided pastoral care and counseling to youth dealing with personal challenges, offering guidance and support.
• Planned weekly groups as well as special events and overnight retreats.
• Created an inclusive atmosphere that welcomed individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and belonging within the youth group.
• Strengthened relationships between families and the church by hosting family-focused events and providing resources for parents.
• Collaborated with local organizations to provide community service opportunities for youth, fostering sense of social responsibility.
• Developed strong connections within the local community by partnering with schools, organizations, and other churches on various initiatives.
• Recruited volunteers from the congregation to assist in various aspects of the youth ministry program such as event planning or leading small groups during Bible studies or retreats.
• Engaged youth in outreach and mission activities, promoting service and compassion within the community.

• Live in counselor at this program for trouble boys.
• Assisted boys in setting realistic goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress towards achievement And independence rather than incarceration.
• Provided crisis intervention services to individuals experiencing acute distress or dangerous situations.
• Developed individualized counseling plans for clients to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
• Established trusting therapeutic alliances with clients through empathetic listening, validation, and unconditional positive regard.
• Developed and facilitated group therapy sessions for increased social support and skill-building opportunities