Pastor Marc's Bio

Pastor Marc is a native of Virginia Beach, VA and the youngest son of the late Rev. Thomas Jennings, Jr. and Roberta G. Jennings. He was baptized at age 9 at The New Light Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, VA by the late Rev. Elijah B. Gibson. As a young member he served as The Baptist Training Union President, member of the junior Usher board, Gospel choir, Boy Scouts, Sunday School Union Representative, and any other position that he could possibly serve in.

He is a 1981 graduate of Green Run High School in Virginia Beach and joined the United States Army in 1983. That same year he married his lovely wife, Cynthia. From this union came TJ, Quisha, and Nicki.

Pastor Marc served 6 out of his 8 years of Military Service overseas in the world’s largest digital communications facility, in Pirmasens, Germany, as a Circuit Activations Officer and a Communications Supervisor. He served 2 years with The 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas, as the Primary Technical Control Supervisor. He is a Veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 1991 he and his family returned to the Hampton Roads area and joined The Mount Bethel Baptist Church, in Virginia Beach in 1992. While there, he served as Youth Pastor, Worship Leader, Teen Church Director, and was instrumental in setting up a computer network, computer lab, and video system during the construction of the new facility. He was licensed to preach in 1991 at Crossroads Baptist Church in Riley Kansas by Pastor David VanBebber, and became an ordained minister in 2006 at Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church, Chesapeake VA under the leadership of Pastor Donald F. Taylor.

Pastor Marc and family united with The Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church in December, 2001. While at GMZBC he served as morning Worship Leader, Sunday school teacher, Wednesday night Youth Bible Study teacher, and Youth Assembly Fellowship Director.

In December of 2007 Pastor Marc became interim Pastor of Woodland Ave Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA., where he begin to put his more than 17 years of ministerial experience to good use. On September 17, 2008 he was elected the 5th Pastor of Woodland Ave Baptist Church, Norfolk VA. He was installed as Pastor of WABC on November 30th 2008. Woodland Ave Baptist Church motto is that they are a Real Church, Serving the Real God, Reaching Out To Real People, To Effect Real Change.

Since his installation at WABC nearly four years ago WABC has started a Childrens Church Ministry, remodeling projects have been completed in the fellowship hall, church office, kitchen and womans bathroom. A computer network, and media system with projectors and screen were installed. An annual Backpack Drive, Mens Suit and Coat drive was established along with an annual Fall Fest.

He has attended The University of Maryland, Kansas State University, Virginia Wesleyan College, & Saint Leo University. He holds a Certificate of Completion from The Army Logistics College, has Continuing Education Units from Penn State University & Virginia Union University. Pastor Marc was recently accepted into the Masters Program at Virginia Union University. Pastor Marc is the owner and operator of his own Tele-Communications Company.

Pastor Marc and Lady Cyndi reside in Virginia Beach along with their three children.

Favorite verse: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1st Peter 3:15, NIV)

Truth Matters

I began the year 2010 preaching from the subject: “It’s time for a change”. For the whole month of January, I emphasized the fact that everyone comes to a place in their lives where they realize that something has to change in order to reach certain goals. In other words, if a desired end has not been achieved by current practices, then at some point one reaches the conclusion that something has to change.

If an alcoholic or drug abuser really wants more from life than the acquisition of drugs and alcohol then something has to change. If the sex addict or the power addict wants more from life than the exhilaration of the ill-gotten moment then something has to change. If an individual constantly fails to reach admirable goals, if they want the good but live the bad, and if they desire the truth but live a lie then by all means something has to change!

The reality is that you cannot wholeheartedly expect different results by doing something the exact same ole way every time! For we all know that practice makes perfect! But if you want a different result, then something has to change!
After reading several articles on various subjects, which all dealt with the human desire to be accepted in various circles in society, I noticed a very common thread which was woven in the fabric of each position; that the quest for truth was nowhere to be found!

Blaise Pascal said it best when he said that “Truth is so obscure in the times in which we live and falsehoods so established that unless we love the truth we cannot know it”! In other words, you have to love the truth in order to find it! You have to love the truth more than your life style! You have to love the truth more than your bank account! And you have to love the truth above everything else; otherwise, you will never find THE TRUTH and real fulfillment!

In every article that I read, there was the consistent search for justification for their “plight” in life. The liar, the thief, the adulterer, the homosexual, the murderer, the corporate swindler, the prostitute, the atheist, the pagan, and idol worshiper, all from different socio-economic backgrounds, found support
for their condition of existence even from those with very noteworthy scholarly achievement.

But yet, what was very conspicuously missing from their utterances was a desire to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and to accept it no matter if it supported their position or not.They were very expressive about anything AND EVERYTHING that supported their position; but they never stated even once that their quest in life was ultimately to know the truth!

The fact of the matter is that the truth is the truth no matter what! Trees are made of wood, water is wet, and fire is always hot, no matter whom you are or how you feel! Cars all have wheels, computers have processors, fish live in water, and the moon is NOT made of cheese! As a member of the human race, our greatest endeavor in life should be the quest to know the truth! Because knowing the truth will bring us the greatest satisfaction in life!

As we go about our daily affairs throughout the rest of the year, let us work diligently to know the truth! Let us learn to separate truth from error, and let us be wholly committed to making a difference in the world by standing on what we know to be the truth! Let this be the year that we search the scriptures for ourselves, like we never have before, so that we can know what God has said instead of relying on what someone else has said! Let this be the year that we say: “That sounds good, but is that the truth of God’s word?” and let this be the year that we daily make a concentrated effort to be better this year then we were last year in our knowledge of the word of God.
Truth really does matter! Truth makes all of the difference! And Truth will give you TRUE direction and purpose in life!

Jesus said (John 14:6) “I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE” … “AND THE TRUTH WILL MAKE YOU FREE”! (John 8:32)