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Mark Gornik

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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

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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, praxis, and writing has focused on both urban ministry and global Christianity, with an emphasis on African immigrant churches in New York City.[1]

Ministry and work in Sandtown, Baltimore

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Gornik co-founded New Song Community Church in the Sandtown neighborhood of Baltimore in 1986, alongside Susan and Allan Tibbells. Inspired by the community development work of John Perkins, Gornik and his colleagues sought to revitalize a 12-block area in one of Baltimore's most neglected inner-city neighborhoods.[2][3][4][5]

Under Gornik's leadership, New Song evolved beyond a traditional church setting. The community-based ministry established a health center, a school, the economic development programs, and a housing organization affiliated with Habitat for Humanity. This holistic approach aimed to bring lasting transformation to Sandtown. Reflecting on his time there, Gornik has described the experience as formative, shaping both his faith and his understanding of urban ministry.[6][3][7][8][5]

Founding of City Seminary of New York

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Gornik moved to New York City in 1998 to help establish New Song Community Church in Harlem. While working on this church plant and associated community development projects, including affordable housing initiatives, he became increasingly aware of the shifting landscape of global Christianity within the city. He observed a high number of pastors and ministry leaders, particularly from immigrant communities, who had not attended traditional seminaries. This realization led him to explore new models of grassroots theological education.[1][9][10][11]

In 2003, Gornik founded City Seminary of New York, an institution dedicated to training leaders for ministry in urban and immigrant contexts. The seminary focuses on theological education within the city itself, engaging with the diverse religious landscape of New York. Gornik has emphasized the importance of grassroots ministry and peacemaking as core principles of theological training. His work at City Seminary builds upon his earlier experiences in Baltimore, particularly the need to recognize and nurture leadership within communities rather than imposing external structures.[1][9][10][11]

Research on global Christianity

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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 explored the migration patterns of African Christians and their establishment of vibrant church communities in the city. His findings highlighted the intersection of globalization, faith, and urban life. According to Gornik, studying African churches in New York allowed him to understand the broader dynamics of migration, labor markets, and transnational religious networks.[1]

His 2011 book, Word Made Global: African Christianity in Motion, further explores these themes, offering insights into the ways African churches navigate faith and ministry in a globalized world.[1] This book won a 2012 Christianity Today Book of the Year Award.[12][10]

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.

Philosophy of ministry and theological education

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Gornik has consistently emphasized the role of institutions in fostering leadership and community development. He views institutions as intermediary structures that enable individuals to thrive within broader social and economic forces. His approach to theological education is deeply contextual, prioritizing learning within the lived experiences of urban ministry. He has stated that effective leadership formation is not about merely training leaders but about creating space for leadership to emerge and flourish. His ministry model was inspired by his seminary professors Harvie Conn and Tim Keller.[1][9][10][13]

Personal life

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Gornik is married to Rita Aszalos, a physician, and they have two children.[1] He is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America.[10]

Publications

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  • To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City. Eerdmans, 2002.[14][15]
  • Understanding World Christianity: The Vision and Work of Andrew F. Walls. Orbis Books, 2011. (with William R. Burrows and Janice A. McLean).[16][17]
  • Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York. Eerdmans, 2011.[18][19]
  • Stay in the City : How Christian Faith is Flourishing in an Urban World. Eerdmans, 2017. (with Maria Liu Wong).[20][21][22]
  • Sharing the Crust : A Communion of Saints in a Baltimore Neighborhood. Cascade Books, 2024.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c d e Meehan, Chris (December 14, 2016). "A Seminary in the City". Christian Reformed Church News. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  11. ^ a b 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. ^ "Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City". Christian Century. 128 (21): 23. October 2011.
  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.
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