Mark Simmons grew up in Oldham, Lancashire and became a Christian at the age of 14. In 1982, he joined the Saltmine Trust using music and preaching to share the gospel in churches, schools and conferences in the UK and overseas. In 1996, Mark moved down to London to train for Baptist Ministry at Spurgeon’s College. Four years later he became the Pastor of Selly Park Baptist Church in South Birmingham where he ministered for 23 years.  In August 2023 he retired and moved to Lancaster. Today he moderates for 2 Baptist churches and is also the Associate Pastor at Stanley Road Baptist church in Morecambe. 

Mark loves sport (he has been a Manchester United supporter since he was 10!), music, travel, and food – if he can incorporate any of these into his ministry then he’s a happy man! He’s is an experienced worship leader and has led ministry a number of times for MasterSun and Richmond in previous years.

Mark is single, with 7 nieces, 1 nephew, and 13 great nephews and 2 great nieces (at the last count!). Mark’s claim to fame is that his God-daughter’s brother’s Godfather is the husband of Princess Anne!!