Mark Gornik

Mark R. Gornik
Born1961 (1961)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
EducationCovenant College (B.A., 1983); Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1986); University of Edinburgh (Ph.D., 2008)
OccupationTheologian · Missiologist · Pastor · Author
Years active1986–present
OrganizationsCity Seminary of New York; New Song Community Church (Baltimore); Christian Reformed Church in North America
Known forFounder and director of City Seminary of New York; studies of African immigrant churches; urban ministry praxis
Notable workTo Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City (2002); Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City (2011)
SpouseRita Aszalos
Children2

Mark R. Gornik (born 1961) is an American theologian, missiologist, author, pastor, and director of City Seminary of New York. He has researched and written about urban ministry, community development, theological education, and the study of global Christianity, particularly African Christianity in New York City.

Early life and education

Gornik grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He earned a B.A. from Covenant College (1983), an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary (1986), and a Ph.D. from the Centre for the Study of World Christianity at the University of Edinburgh (2008) studying under Andrew Walls. His research, ministry, and writing has focused on both urban ministry and global Christianity, with an emphasis on African immigrant churches in New York City.

Ministry and work in Sandtown, Baltimore

Gornik co-founded New Song Community Church in the Sandtown neighborhood of Baltimore in 1986, alongside Susan and Allan Tibbells. Gornik and his colleagues drew on the community development work of John M. Perkins in establishing programs in a 12-block area of Baltimore.

New Song later established a health center, a school, economic-development programs, and a housing organization affiliated with Habitat for Humanity. Gornik later said that his work in Sandtown influenced his views of faith and urban ministry.

Founding of City Seminary of New York

Gornik moved to New York City in 1998 to help establish New Song Community Church in Harlem. He observed a large number of pastors and ministry leaders, particularly from immigrant communities, who had not attended traditional seminaries. Gornik later developed a model of theological education aimed at pastors and ministry leaders who had not attended traditional seminaries.

In 2003, Gornik founded City Seminary of New York, an institution dedicated to training leaders for ministry in urban and immigrant contexts. Gornik has focused on the importance of grassroots ministry and peacemaking as core principles of theological training. Gornik has said that his experience in Baltimore influenced his approach at City Seminary, particularly his emphasis on developing leadership within local communities.

Research on global Christianity

Gornik's doctoral research, conducted under Andrew Walls at the University of Edinburgh, examined the role of African congregations in New York City. Through years of ethnographic study, he researched the migration patterns of African Christians and their establishment of church communities in the city.

His 2011 book, Word Made Global: African Christianity in Motion, examines African churches in New York and their connections to migration, ministry, and transnational Christianity. This book won a 2012 Christianity Today Book of the Year Award.

Along with several full-length books that he has written or edited, Gornik has also published dozens of journal articles and reviews, almost all dealing with urban ministry or global Christianity.

Views on ministry and theological education

Gornik has argued that theological education should be rooted in the communities where ministry takes place. He has also emphasized the role of local institutions in developing leadership and responding to social and economic conditions. Gornik has said that his ministry model was inspired by his seminary professors Harvie Conn and Tim Keller.

Personal life

Gornik is married to Rita Aszalos, a physician, and they have two children. He is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America.

Selected publications

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Mark Gornik: I'm a Believer in Institutions". Faith & Leadership. Duke Divinity School. December 7, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ DeParle, Jason (26 December 2010). "Allan Tibbels: ... Missionary". The New York Times. p. 3. ProQuest 1461224546. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  3. 1 2 Young, Neil R. G. (August 8, 2003). "Social Entrepreneurs Establish Baltimore-Based New Song Urban Ministries". The Daily Record. Baltimore. ProQuest 389959950. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  4. ↑ Khalid, S. M. (12 November 1990). "Neighborhood Celebrates New Use for Old Convent". The Sun. Baltimore. ProQuest 407095072. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  5. 1 2 Gornik, Mark R. (December 1994). "Between Resurrection and Reconciliation: The Story of New Song Community Church". Urban Mission. 12: 52–60.
  6. ↑ Tarbert, Colin D. (2004). Sandtown: Rebuilding a Community (PhD dissertation). University of Maryland, College Park. ProQuest 305175760. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  7. ↑ Bock, James (17 November 1994). "People Find a Voice with New Song". The Sun. p. 1B. ProQuest 40688199. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  8. ↑ Gornik, Mark (2023). "Allan M. Tibbels". In Slade, Peter; Tuttle, Shea; Bussie, Jacqueline (eds.). People Get Ready: Twelve Jesus-Haunted Misfits, Malcontents, and Dreamers in Pursuit of Justice. Eerdmans. ISBN 9780802879042. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 Gornik, Mark R.; Liu Wong, Maria (2015). "A Seminary at the Urban Crossroads: A Case Study of City Seminary of New York". In Bevans, Stephen (ed.). Reflecting on and Equipping for Christian Mission. Augsburg Fortress. pp. 349–361.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Meehan, Chris (December 14, 2016). "A Seminary in the City". Christian Reformed Church News. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Wells, Bob (December 7, 2009). "The Wonder of it All". Faith & Leadership. Duke Divinity School. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Profiles: Mark Gornik". Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Calvin University.
  13. ↑ Gornik, Mark R. (May 25, 2023). "Tim Keller's Final Seminar". Thriving Congregations Coordination Program. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  14. ↑ Volf, Miroslav (July 2002). "The Three R's of Urban Mission". Christian Century. 119 (16): 35.
  15. ↑ Dahlburg, Andrew (Fall 2003). "To Live in Peace". Social Work & Christianity. 30 (3): 301–303.
  16. ↑ Flett, John G. (April 2013). "Understanding World Christianity: The Vision and Work of Andrew F. Walls". Mission Studies: Journal of the International Association for Mission Studies. 30 (1): 109–110.
  17. ↑ Wild-Wood, Emma (December 2012). "Understanding World Christianity: The Vision and Work of Andrew F Walls". Studies in World Christianity. 18 (3): 313–14.
  18. ↑ Biney, Moses O. (April 2012). "Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City". Christian Century. 129 (7): 42–45.
  19. ↑ Williams, Eric Lewis (December 2013). "Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City". Studies in World Christianity. 19 (3): 289–291.
  20. ↑ Jørgensen, Knud (May 2018). "Stay in the City: How Christian Faith Is Flourishing in an Urban World, Written by Mark R. Gornik & Maria Liu Wong". Mission Studies: Journal of the International Association for Mission Studies. 35 (2): 309.
  21. ↑ Rollefson, John (2021). "Stay in the City: How Christian Faith Is Flourishing in an Urban World". Currents in Theology and Mission. 48 (1): 76.
  22. ↑ Lenocker, Tyler (March 2020). "Stay in the City: How Christian Faith Is Flourishing in an Urban World". Religious Studies Review. 46 (1): 70.
  23. ↑ Walsh, Brian (November 8, 2025). "Communion Is Everything". Reformed Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2025.