Mark McCune

Admissions Counselor

B.A., Ohio State University; Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary, Current Student.

Worked in Admissions since: November 2007

Welcome to our team admissions website. The most encouraging thing I can tell you is that we have all been right where you are. We understand that you may be feeling like considering seminary at this stage in your life is equivalent to standing at the open door of a perfectly good airplane – and you’re getting ready to jump. When you got on the plane, jumping with a parachute sounded like a great idea. But now, before you leap, all you can think about is: Will this parachute really work? Is it packed properly? Will I scream like a little girl? Why does everything appear to be moving so fast and at this altitude why can’t I see my target? The best thing I can tell you is...relax, breathe and remember that you have bathed this decision in prayer. And although your senses are telling you “This is crazy!” and it makes no sense, trust in the One who purchased your ticket, packed your chute and is piloting the plane. You are not following selfish desires of personal glory and fame. You are submitting to your Savior and King. You are heeding his calling and receiving the necessary training to serve the living God and love his people well. Consider this passage from Jeremiah 17:7-8 as encouragement “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

I am in my third year here at Dallas Seminary pursuing a Th.M. in Bible Exposition and Pastoral Ministry. I came to DTS after several years as just “a regular guy” in the local church. I knew something was up when I was having a hard time working fulltime because my ministry involvement was getting in the way! I chose Dallas Seminary because all the best expositors and teachers of the Word I had met had received their training here. So I chose to be trained in the same way those men had been trained with the hope of being used in the lives of others the way they had been used in mine. Coming to DTS has been the greatest experience of my spiritual life. I have grown more, learned more and experienced more than you can possibly contain in a book or in a curriculum. I look forward to meeting you, praying with you and helping you in this very exciting journey. So go ahead and JUMP! God is waiting to blow you away with his faithfulness.

What are your hobbies or outside interests?
I love to fly fish, watch movies, take long drives with my wife, play with my girls, photography and walk my dog.

What made you decide to go to DTS?
I was attracted to the rich legacy and tradition that DTS has in training servant leaders for the purpose of teaching the Word of God. Having the opportunity to learn from those who have trained so many, so well, for so long, I desired the same training for myself.

What do you do on your day off?
Hang out with my girls (Wife: Michele; Daughters Kaitlin & Isabelle) playing cards (Nertz, Rummy & Uno), board games (Parcheesi, Catch Phrase, dominoes) watch movies, play the Wii.

What are your favorite foods?
Spicy food. I like to sweat when I eat.

What was your major in college?
Film

What is your favorite television show of all time?
Hawaii Five-O and Starsky & Hutch

What is the best part about working in the DTS admissions office?
I love meeting everyone who comes to campus investigating DTS. I am a people person and I love hearing their stories and what God is doing in their life. The absolute highlight is praying with them. If you come for a visit I’m gonna pray with you!

What is your favorite piece of literature?
Four Pillars of a Man’s Heart, by Stu Weber

What is your favorite quote?
“Let Greek have its effect on you.” Dr. Jay Smith, Professor of New Testament here at DTS.

What is your favorite musical artist/group/genre of music?
Third Day & The Beatles

Who is the person you admire most and why?
My wife. Because even though she is smart, incredibly talented and very beautiful she chose to marry me. A guy who was long on dreams and short on plans when she could have chosen any one who was smarter and better prepared for life with an actual plan and solid potential success in life. To her credit she has trusted God and followed me across the country pursuing my dreams and to this day supports me fully as we are both preparing for our future ministry together.

Who is your favorite Bible character and why?
Gideon, because he was not looking for God when God called him to ministry and he was considered the least of the least of God’s people. Like Gideon I do not carry a spiritual pedigree nor do I feel qualified for the calling that God has placed upon me, and I too have been prone to putting fleeces before the Lord. Also, I know the great things God has done through me thus far have been because of his power and authority and my ability to show up on time and blow his horn and not my own.

If you could have superhero powers, what would they be?
To fly and travel in time!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
I would love to live in or near Colorado close to the mountains, snow, and streams of trout