About Mark

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Mark Soppitt was born and raised in the UK. While living in the UK, Mark served as a police officer for five years followed by seven years as a pastor.  In 2005, in response to a call to pastor a church in Niagara Falls, Mark, his wife Janet, and their five children emigrated to Canada.

Pastoring the church resulted in some good years of seeing growth and restoration within the church; however, Mark began to struggle with a severe medicine-resistant depression. Though he battled, the struggle became overwhelming and Mark was admitted to hospital for medical help. This resulted in a difficult, but necessary decision to step down from his role as pastor.

Unable to function well in any area of employment over these years, is described by Mark as a time when he walked into hell and could not find a way out. Throughout all of this, his wife, supportive friends and family, and a variety of health professionals provided much-needed support and prayer. While in this dark pit of suffering, Mark began to write songs of hope that focused on Jesus. In an almost unbelievable way, God used this time of anguish and disquiet to draw him closer and purify his faith.

As Mark began to deal with the traumas in his life, he found that writing songs continued to be a part of his healing journey. He began to experience the joy that came as his music offered healing and hope to others with wounded hearts.

It is out of this journey that the album, “Take My Life and Let It Be” was born.This album charts a path through the storms, the brokenness and despair to a life of renewed trust, surrender and worship. As Mark progresses in his personal journey to wholeness, his heart is to encourage people to find hope and comfort in God as they face the storms and traumas of life. His songs deliver peace and hope to those going through life’s struggles to the glory of their compassionate God.

As a pastor who has gone through the dark night of the soul and experienced pain at many levels, Mark has created a composition of music that offers solace, healing, and renewed strength serving as a guiding light during the darkest moments especially for the journey of pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders. We would encourage any ministry leader to soak in Marks music.

~ Larry and Lorrie Russell, Co-founders Shepherds Heart Ministry

Like jewels refined under pressure, this collection of sparkling praise and beautiful worship comes from the depths of Mark’s loving obedience through a period of significant suffering. It is both moving and uplifting.

~ Paul S Williams, CEO British and Foreign Bible Society and Author of Exiles on Mission: How Christians Can Thrive in a Post-Christian World

Mark has journeyed through deep suffering, and beautiful music straight from his heart is the fruit of this journey. The songs are pure gold refined in the fire. Filled with extraordinary hope, this album brings the treasures of darkness to light as a gift for others.

~ Dr Sarah C Williams, Research Professor in the History of Christianity, Regent College, and Author of Perfectly Human: Nine months with Cerian (Winner of Christianity Today Women’s Book award)

This recording is a collection of Mark’s personal worship and prayers. The simplicity and authenticity within these songs will steer the listener to deeply focus on the Lord. You will be blessed as you let the music saturate your prayer time and as you allow Mark to lead you to adore the Lord.

~ Matt Tapley, Lead Pastor, Lakemount Worship Centre, Grimsby

Mark Soppitt is a dear friend. He has always been one of my favorite worship leaders ever since I first met Mark at University. Mark’s worship leading was my first experience of fervent, radical, reckless love and devotion for Jesus and I was forever changed. Encountering the tangible Presence of God as Mark led us all, 300 of us, on fire passionate students, changed my life forever. As you join Mark as he leads you through each song of his latest album, “Take My Life and Let it Be”, my prayer is that you too experience the tangible, manifest Presence of Jesus and fall deeply in love with Him just as Mark so powerfully impacted me to that end many years ago.

~ Duncan Smith, President, Catch The Fire World, the international Movement of 200+ churches, ministries and missions, birthed in the Toronto Revival.

Releases

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Take My Life and Let It Be (2023)

Acknowledgements

Mark’s special appreciation goes to his wife Janet and their children who made it possible for him to record his first song shortly before this project began; to Amie Vandevrie and Ruth Teakle who saw how the songs could bring comfort and freedom to those with wounded hearts; and to Ken and Amie Vandevrie who turned the vision into reality through the the willing giving of their hearts, skills, resources and time. Gratitude also goes to Kurtis and Russel Vandevrie, Brandon Enns and Tony Lind for their talented musical and technical contributions. And last, but not least to God: the One who sees the end from the beginning and promises to complete the good work He began in our lives (Philippians 1:6).
Mark’s prayer is that his songs will sound the invitation of Jesus:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”

(Matthew 11:28-39).
And that out of this restful connection with Jesus would come a heart offering of our lives afresh to Him.

Contact

Have a question? Feel free to ask Mark using this form!