LEADERSHIP
TRANSITION
SETTING YOU UP FOR SUCCESS
OUR STORY
In 2017 Mark began to work with his Board at King of Kings on a succession plan and leadership transition, knowing that he planned on retiring in 2022. In January of 2020, Mark passed the baton of Lead Pastor to his successor, Pastor Greg Griffith. Going into all of this Mark and his Board were well aware of
the fact that a large majority of churches do not fare well in this regard. With this in mind, Mark and his team committed themselves to constant prayer while Mark conducted dozens of interviews, listened to podcasts, read books, and in general, learned all that he could about leadership transitions.
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King of Kings has experienced the blessing of God in all of this and has not only survived this leadership transition but is thriving more than two years later. All of this has prepared Mark for his new ministry to pastors, boards, staffs, and churches that has led him to create Always Forward Ministries.
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During Mark’s 40+ years as a pastor, he has certainly experienced a wide variety of churches. Mark has commented on many occasions that he understands what it’s like to be a pastor of a church of 4 or 4,000. He has served at three very different kinds of churches:
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Small, traditional, country church, Zion, Ulm, AR
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Brand new mission plant that was one of the fastest growing congregations in his denomination, Faith, Collierville, TN
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Large, complex, 100+ staff, $5 million budget, 4,000 members, King of Kings, Omaha, NE
TESTIMONIALS
Mark Zehnder combines professional wisdom with a pastor’s heart, helping leaders look and lead more like Jesus.
At Hales Corners Lutheran, we began working with Mark as we prepared for pastoral succession planning. What we anticipated and what unfolded were two very different realities. Our succession happened in a different way and for different reasons than we first imagined. Through it all, Mark pivoted with us. He walked alongside us - not just as a consultant, but as a shepherding presence - providing support, encouragement, and a steady voice of hope in the midst of unexpected change.
Mark offered counsel and Godly wisdom to our lead staff, guided our Board of Directors with clarity, and lifted us with prayer-focused encouragement. His presence anchored us in Christ’s promises while we navigated uncertainty.
Out of that season, I personally asked Mark to consider becoming a coach as I stepped into the Executive Lead Pastor role. He agreed, and what followed was a deeply formative journey. Month after month, Mark provided a confidential listening ear, prayerful intercession, and thoughtful counsel. His greatest desire in all of it was clear: to help me, and all those he mentors, look and lead more like Jesus.
Mark brought not only a deep knowledge base and professional approach in all these interactions, but also the heart of a man who loves the Lord and invests in others with wisdom, discernment, encouragement, and prayer. HCL, and I personally, have been profoundly blessed by Mark’s presence and guidance.
Executive Lead Pastor at Hales Corners Lutheran Church - Hales Corners, WI (incoming pastor)
Rev. Leon Jameson
Rev. Greg Griffith
Lead Pastor at King of Kings - Omaha, NE (incoming pastor)
We are now in our sixth year since the leadership transition from Mark to me as Lead Pastor of King of Kings. From the very beginning, our shared goal was clear: keep the congregation moving forward, protect our DNA, and be each other’s biggest cheerleaders and advocates. Since then, King of Kings has grown from one campus to three.
Our people still carry a deep zeal for innovation and for reaching those outside the kingdom. And Mark and I are not just cheerleaders for one another - we’ve truly become part of each other’s families. Mark’s leadership, mentorship, and friendship have been invaluable. Our lines of communication remain wide open, and we’ve committed to an “honor code” of sharing important realities with one another before they go public. No surprises. Mutual respect and ongoing conversation have allowed us to maintain a deep and healthy relationship.
Looking back, I can honestly say that with the guidance of Always Forward Ministries and Mark’s personal mentorship, this has been one of the smoothest leadership transitions I’ve ever experienced.
I have been privileged to work closely with Mark for the past four years as the Executive Director at King of Kings Church and have had a front seat to his senior leadership baton pass. At this critical juncture in our church’s history, Mark led with discernment, humility, grace, and a positivity that brought both our staff and congregation closer together. His servant leadership created space for our new lead pastor to start strong and for the mission of our church to continue without missing a beat.
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Mark’s heart for Jesus and His church is evident in all that he does and it is a delight for me to say that the guidance he shares with others has been lived out with great effectiveness here at King of Kings. I’m so pleased to endorse his Always Forward ministry and pray that the experience and talents he brings to the table will enrich your church as it moves into its next chapter.
Executive Director at King of Kings - Omaha, NE (staff)
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Julie Eesley
Rev. Kent R. Hunter
Founder, Church Doctor Ministries
www.churchdoctor.org
I’m honored and pleased to endorse Mark Zehnder’s Always Forward Ministries. Mark and I have trained thousands of pastors on several continents. His ministry record as a pastor and leader is amazing! Mark has developed a ministry that is greatly needed: Guidance for pastoral leadership transitions. Mark is a skilled diagnostician, coupled with his pastoral heart, love for Jesus, and relational strengths. His wisdom, experience, and deep love for God and the Body of Christ is paralleled to his care for pastors, church staff, and Christians everywhere who want God’s best for their congregations.
Many pastoral transitions end up as a train wreck. Denominational leaders do their best to pair pastors to churches, but do not have the time to examine the uniqueness of each local Body of Christ, your local church. Pastoral leadership is always one of the most important decisions a church can make. Mark knows the biblical importance of spiritual Gifts and leadership development. His help for your church will be so valuable!
Mark Zehnder is an accomplished preacher and teacher. He is a down-to-Earth servant whose love for the church is obvious. Beyond his skills, Mark, above all, is a genuine person whose love and encouragement for others is obvious. For all these reasons, and many more, I unconditionally recommend Mark Zehnder to help your church move effectively forward through pastoral and other church staff transitions.
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mark@alwaysforwardministries.com
402-689-8425