Check Out Our Speakers!
Mark Goins & Ben Woods
This year AgapeFest is fortunate to land two of the best speakers in the area to come speak. On Friday night everyone will get to hear from Mark David Goins. Mark is best known as the front man for the band Mark David and Surface Deep. His band will be kicking off the festival on Friday night. Then on Saturday we are extremely happy to bring back Ben Woods. A lot of you know Ben for his work in the band Slingshot57. Ben spoke on our second stage last year, and we knew we had to bring him back to speak on the main stage! Both are phenomenal speakers, and they are definitely worth listening to. For more info about each of our speakers keep on reading.
Meet Mark Goins.
Rev. Mark David Goins, 25, was born in 1985 to Rev. David & Sheila Goins of Alton, Il. His family resided in a community which exposed Mark to a variety of different cultures including people, churches, and a diverse selection of music venues.
Mark attended the public school system in Alton, Il., and graduated from Alton Sr. High in 2003. After high school Mark went on to Greenville College, where he accepted The Call to Ministry in 2004.
Mark began to lead bible studies on campus and at church on a weekly basis. Also, he founded the first all men Midnight Prayer Group for Greenville College. As a member of his college town worship team, he played the drums and worked closely with the music coordinator on the music arrangements for each service. In addition, Mark began writing and co-writing worship songs. Then in 2007, Mark graduated from Greenville College with a double BA in Sociology and Psychology.
Mark has been ministering in word and song at various venues throughout Illinois and the surrounding area. He has a sincere desire to minister and reach the hearts of those who are lost and dying spiritually. Mark founded the band, Mark David and Surface Deep, which recorded and released their first CD demo in 2009.
The Lord’s favor continued to shine on his life as he wasmarried on August 29th, 2009 to his lovely wife, Marqueta
Stewart-Goins. Mark is known by his peers to be a very kind, passionate, likable, and professional Man of God.
Meet Ben Woods.
What led you to begin speaking to youth groups? How long have you been doing this, and what drives you?
I have a passion to help people to know that they are loved. I toured nationally as the front man of a rock band called Slingshot57 for over 8 years, performed over 800 dates and have spoken that message to thousands of people. I want to inspire people to do something that matters with their life…I want to see people use their God-given gifts and God-given passions to expand His kingdom through the opportunities that He sets before them.
How would you describe your journey of faith thus far? Do you think that that’s something that’s helped you connect with the youth?
I grew up in a strong Christian home where I was encouraged to dream. That’s shaped so much of who I am today. I’m not a go-with-the-flow kind of guy…I’m just unconventional. I believe wholeheartedly that God equips us to be creative and to serve Him with our gifts and passions. That can and will look entirely different for everyone. My ministry today looks entirely different from what it did a year ago, but my message is the same…do something that matters. For me, whether I was touring and performing or hanging out with college students I was encouraging them, “God desires to use you…let Him take you into the unknown” while trying to live that out in my own experiences. My story is, like everyone else, God has made me unique… with a unique part to play in His purpose. And His faithfulness is way bigger than my brokenness so He can still use me in creative ways to impact my world.
What sorts of things have you chosen to discuss Saturday afternoon, and why do you think those are important issues?
I want to challenge the complacency and jadedness of this generation. I want to encourage them to find the place where their gifts and passions collide for the Kingdom…no matter what it costs.
Do you see yourself doing this for the next ten years?
I’m just trying to be obedient to what God has called me to…to respond to the opportunities He places before me and serve Him humbly. Currently, I’m a campus minister at the University of Illinois where I have the freedom to teach, preach, disciple, mentor, lead worship, be involved with foreign missions and interact with people of all walks of life. And I’m loving it, but my hope is that I’ll always go where He sends, trusting He’ll equip me with what it takes.
Just for kicks, who’s your favorite musical artist? Favorite tv show? Favorite food?
Artist… that list is long… but at the top are Foo Fighters and Bleach. For TV shows 24, LOST, Arrested Development, and Scrubs. When it come to food, well, festival food is pretty hard to beat… those sweet action curly fries and strawberry shake-ups are particular favorites.
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