Bishop Dr. Mark Rowden

Mark Anthony Rowden is a pastor, author, professor, and founder of Mark Rowden Ministry International, Inc. based in Fayetteville, A Global Ministry of Outreach restoring families and Empowering Gods people. He is the author of the book “The Ministry of Missions” and “Created for Worship.” Dr. Rowden is an alumni of Shaw University & Divinity School, Maryland University, Campbell University and El Paso Community College. He received a Bachelor’s of Theology from Zoe University Jacksonville Florida, Bachelors of Sociology from Fayetteville State University, Master of Divinity from North Carolina Theological Seminary and Doctorate of Theology from North Carolina Theological Seminary. He also received his Ph.D. in Christian Counseling.

The native Texan is the youngest born of five children. Reverend Rowden was baptized at the age of six years old and became a member of Fourth Missionary Baptist Church. He received his formal education in the Houston Independent School District. Reverend Rowden retired from the United States Military (Army), with his last assignment being at the United States Military Headquarters, Pentagon Washington DC. He served honorably for twenty-three years.

Dr. Rowden is the Site President for the North Carolina Theological Seminary at Cumberland County located in the City of Fayetteville, affording citizens across the city to advance in their educational matriculation. NCTS@Cumberland is an extension of the North Carolina Theological Seminary (NCTS) located in Clinton, NC. He also serves as Chairman for the NCTS Board of Directors.

Dr. Rowden is an International preacher and teacher who have carried the gospel to Bahrain (Middle East), Bosnia (Europe), Hawaii, Korea, the U.S. Virgin Islands, West and South Africa, India, Puerto Rico, and France. As a consecrated Bishop he is the overseer of thirty-seven churches in Liberia West Africa as well as twenty-two churches in Malawi, Southeastern Africa. As President and Founder of Mark Rowden Ministry International, Inc. (MRM International) Bishop Rowden has Established a clinic in Liberia West Africa, adopted a school that funds orphan children each year. His heart for the betterment of people locally and globally has lead to several churches in Africa having roofs put on their churches, has fed over 1,000 families, has built 2 Pump wells, and repaired one well. His ministry sends much needed supplies throughout the year every year to these countries.

His leadership as President of MRM International has led the local efforts in Fayetteville feeding over 3,000 families since the start of the ministry. The ministry provides Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for over 30 families every year. They provide food boxes each month to families in need. The lending closet has provided clothes , coats and shoes and school supplies to underprivileged children as well as free diapers, household products, sheets, pillows and blankets and much more to any family in need.

His partnership with Fayetteville State University led to providing hygiene and other products to the FSU lending closet for many FSU students free at no cost to the student. He has participated in providing socks, gloves, caps, and shirts to the Fayetteville Veterans Assisted Living Facility.

Pastor Rowden is a community activist. He has served on several boards and committees across the city and county to include:

• Board Chair for the Cape Fear Regional Bureau for Community Actions
• Cedar Creek Learning Center for children
• City of Fayetteville Economic Development Committee
• Council on State Government serving on the subcommittee for Military and Veterans Concerns with the CSG.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Greater Fayetteville United.

He served as the Community Liaison for Cumberland County Schools, a district with eighty-seven schools, promoting “Every Minute Counts” for the Truancy Program, and as the liaison for all schools, he encouraged local churches and business to adopt a local school.

Pastor Rowden led the clergy efforts in forming “Clergy to Stop the Violence” in Fayetteville Cumberland County and led Fayetteville’s first ever Gun Buy Back removing over 250 weapons off the streets.

He served as Moderator for the Union Missionary Baptist Association with 62 churches located in Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Bladen, and Sampson counties.

Pastor Rowden is the recipient of the 2014 Religious Leader of the Year Award, presented by the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Human Relations Commission.

He is the 2021 recipient of North Carolina’s Prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine presented by the Governor of North Carolina.

In 2025 Bishop Rowden was presented the Key to the city of Fayetteville, NC by Mayor Mitch Colvin.

Dr. Rowden have served as the regional representative for the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Foreign Missions Board for North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Virginia.

He served as the Admin Chaplain for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office where he provided spiritual support to over 350 sworn deputies, detention officers, Inmates and civilians.

Pastor Rowden has been servant leader of Savannah Missionary Baptist Church of Fayetteville, NC since January 2002. One of the oldest Black Baptist churches in the city.  He is married to Beverly Knox Rowden also of Houston, Texas.