Biography of Dr. Mark Allen McConnell, Th. D.

Pastor McConnell is the second of six children born to the union of Deacon Johnnie and Sis. Jimmie Mae McConnell who have gone on to glory.  He is married to Paris E. McConnell and they have three sons, Mark Allen Moses McConnell, Caleb Allen Mark McConnell and Matthew Allen McConnell.

It was at an early age that he accepted Christ and being baptized he was raised up under the leadership of Pastor C.L. Bachus, in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas. During his youthful years, he served his church and community in a God-fearing way. He was called into the ministry on the first Sunday in May 1984, preached his first sermon on the last Sunday in May 1984, and was ordained in August 1985. While a student at Bishop College in Dallas Texas, Rev. McConnell united with the First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park under the leadership of Dr. J. Lee Foster.

His education accomplishments:

• Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary – Master of Divinity, Kansas City, Missouri
• Bishop College – B.A. Religion and Philosophy, Dallas Texas
• Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Post Graduate study, Kansas City, Kansas 
• Kansas City Kansas Community College, Associate Degree
• Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree, Ministerial Institute & College, Department of Christian Education West Point, Mississippi
• On June 5, 2005 Rev. McConnell graduated receiving his Doctorate of Theology Degree.
  
  

His Leadership Experiences:

• Currently Founder and Pastor of New Cornerstone Baptist Church in Peoria Illinois
• Currently serving as 2nd Vice President Baptist General State Convention of Illinois 
• Past Moderator of the Central Illinois Baptist District
• Member of the Peoria Ministerial Alliance; Peoria Christian Leadership Conference and Board of Directors of the Peoria Tri-County Urban League
• Previously was pastor of the Southside First Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri; Associate Minister of First Baptist Church Hamilton Park where Rev. J.L. Foster was the pastor.
  
  

Spiritual Objective:  Pastor McConnell’s main objective is to liberate men, women, boys and girls through the proclamation of the Gospel.

New Cornerstone Baptist Church has been tremendously blessed under the leadership of Pastor McConnell and over 800 members have been added under his pastorate.