Mark Werner

Founder and Ministry Director

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

About

With over three decades in parachurch and pastoral ministry, I know firsthand the challenges leaders face daily in tending to their own souls amid the pressures and demands of life and ministry. I believe that those in vocational ministry must rediscover the oft-forgotten disciplines of the interior spiritual life in order to sustain faithfulness for a lifetime! I did graduate work studying for M.Div. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I have held positions at all levels of church ministry, from youth ministry to adult spiritual formation, as well as Directing Operations and Management. I completed my training in Spiritual Direction at The Mercy Center in Colorado Springs, CO. Central to my own growth and development has been participation in the Transforming Center communities with author Dr. Ruth Haley Barton – having participated in both the “Transforming Community” and “Leading a Transforming Church." and having experienced while in ministry my own “dark night of the soul” crisis during my mid to late 40’s. Now, I love nothing more than companioning others in faithfulness through caring, compassionate soul care. I have been married to my wife Valerie for 32 years and have 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren. When not at work I love to tend to my garden, make pizza, and entertain family and friends with a wood-fired brick oven I built in my backyard. www.gracebridgealliance.org

Experience

  • Turas Spiritual Direction (Self-employed · 6 mos)
    • Founder and Ministry Director
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

      The ministry of spiritual direction listens and supports another in recognizing and following the inspirations of grace upon one's life, in order to arrive at the end to which is God is leading.

    • Founder
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

  • Co-founder at Gracebridge Alliance
    Jan 2015 - Feb 2026 · 11 yrs 2 mos

    Sustaining Faithfulness

  • Pastor at Meadowbrook Church
    Aug 1994 - 2014 · 19 yrs 6 mos

    Pastor - Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, Director of Operations

  • Campus Director at Cru
    1984 - 1994 · 10 yrs