The Rev. Mark Lukens, O.C.C. (Order of Corpus Christi) came to Bethany as our Pastor in 1998 after graduating summa cum laude from the Theological School at Drew University.  Pastor Mark was called to ordained ministry during a successful career in the service of persons with mental disabilities and was the Executive Director of a nonprofit service agency in the Hudson Valley of New York before becoming our pastor. He continues to work in disabilities services on a part time basis. Pastor Mark is also a brother of the Order of Corpus Christi as well as an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the United Church of Christ,. In addition to his seminary degree, Pastor Mark has earned a Master of Arts in Special Education from Teachers College at Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stockton College of New Jersey.  He is married to Kate Lukens, a Clinical Social Worker, since 1987, and is father to Ben, a student at Binghamton University and to James, a student at East Rockaway High School.  Pastor Mark also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Long Island Chapter of the Interfaith Alliance and the coordinator of the Western Nassau CROP walk against hunger and serves as chaplain of the East Rockaway Volunteer Fire Department as well as participating in many other local ministries. An avid runner and 3 time marathoner, he preaches the inclusive Gospel of God's grace in Jesus Christ here at Bethany in dialogue with a community of disciples who seek to "walk the walk" in service to God's people, in interfaith and ecumenical ministry and in joyful worship of our Savior and brother Jesus Christ, God's love made manifest in the life of his people.