Meet Our Team

Helping others is never a solitary act.

Meet the Team

Pastor Mark Finfrock

Phone: 513-896-LOVE (5683)
Email: pastor@firstumc-ham.org

My passion for ministry began about 25 years ago starting with a program called Thanksgiving Baskets. The concept was simple. Each family at Park Avenue United Methodist Church would buy Thanksgiving dinner for a family of equal size they did not know. Working with St. Raphael’s in Hamilton, each family would receive the first name of the head of house hold and the number of adults and children within that household. The local community mission work took hold and did not let go. Recently I joined First United Methodist as a member when it became clear to me that the heart for mission at First was aligned with the call for mission that God had put on my heart.

I graduated from Xavier University in 1998 with a Bachelor in Liberal Arts degree concentrating in Communication and Organizational Leadership, followed by a Master’s in Education in Human Resource Development from the same school in 2006. I have taught all four years of the Disciple Bible study courses as well as Jesus in the Gospels, and Christian Believer. I continue to study and teach various bible and book studies today.

During my years at Hamilton Park Avenue I served as Chair of Administrative Council, SPRC, Missions, Finance and Outreach.

I am a Lay Servant of the United Methodist Church and teach the Preaching course for that ministerial designation. In the coming year I will be taking the courses to become a Local Licensed Pastor of the United Methodist Church. During that year I will be serving First UMC as a supply pastor.

Each spring I teach Presentational Speaking and Organizational Communication to non-traditional students in the Weekend Degree program at Xavier. I have taught at Xavier for 16 years.

Recently, my human resources work at LifeSpan, Inc has broadened my understanding of the needs of our community, and how best to serve them.

I am looking forward to serving alongside First Church in worship and pursuit of the mission of Jesus.