Switzerland - Zwingli’s Church
Mark & Nancy Suko
Elder - Founding Pastor
Mark grew up in a wheat ranch near Warden, Washington. He worked on the farm and had an interest in rock music, had a band and went to church occasionally. Until that time he assumed he was good enough for heaven. But, later when his mother was ill and searching, he heard the Gospel more clearly.
Soon he realized he was not good enough in himself to be worthy of heaven (Romans 3) and that a holy God demands absolute perfection (Matthew 5:48). He knew he was lost, and at about age 17 Mark placed his faith in Christ's perfect sacrifice on the cross for his sins. Trusting Jesus as His Savior dramatically changed his life, relationships and direction.
About that time he met his wife-to-be, Nancy Goble. Nancy was raised on a dairy farm and had come to trust in Christ as her savior years earlier. Both prayed for God's hand on their future spouses before they had met. They were married in 1969.
Mark served in the United States Coast Guard for seven years as a petty officer and later a career commissioned officer. He served off the Washington coast, in the Gulf of Alaska and Bearing Sea regions on land and ship based units. It was during his service on a cutter in the Bearing, that the Lord impressed on him a call to ministry. So he left active duty to pursue ministry training in 1975.
He graduated from Corban University (BS) and Corban Graduate School of Ministry (M.Div). While in seminary he founded Discovery Baptist Church in 1980 with several other seminarians. He enjoys teaching God's Word expositionally and shepherding God's flock. He has also served on the council for the Baptist Network Northwest since the 1990's which plants churches in the NW. He has served as local chaplain for the Washington State Patrol, Pierce County Sheriff and Gig Harbor Fire Department. Nancy is a graduate of Central Washington State College, teaches Bible studies, counsels women, and speaks to women's groups.
The Sukos have eight children, 30 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Since 1994 they have had a special interest in missions in the former Soviet Union. Two of their adult children and families now serve in Ukraine as missionaries. The Sukos love visiting lighthouses, riding trains, and hiking.