About

Mark lives on the Northern Beaches of Sydney Australia with his wife Bernie. He is the father of three married children and the proud young grandfather to seven beautiful grand kids. His eldest son Josh has carried on the family legacy by planting a rapidly growing church with his young family in the heart of Brooklyn, New York!

Mark Kelsey believes in the local church - your local church. He is passionate about reaching people for Christ and seeing every church realise its full potential.

Raised in the salt water of Sydney, Australia, Mark and his wife Bernie planted themselves in C3 under the leadership of Pastors Phil & Chris Pringle in 1980. It was very early days for a new little church birthed in a surf club but they quickly found their feet. In 1989 with a pocket packed to the brim with optimism he traded his trusty surfboard and house on the sand - now prime real estate - for a one-way ticket to the USA. 

Armed only with suitcases, a Bible, a very brave wife, three kids under 7 and a heart to expand the kingdom Mark drove the family from the west coast to the east, finally arriving in New York about the same time that Jerry Seinfeld made his television debut (unfortunately still long before Google Maps). C3 Church Long Island was planted later in 1989 becoming the first C3 church plant in the US.

Fast-forward to today and Mark is part of the C3 Church Global Team, on the same mission he has always been - to expand the Kingdom through building the local church. His wholesome approach has proven to be sustainable and highly effective, and as such his wisdom is widely sought after across multiple continents. He is a sharp communicator, insightful teacher and authority on church planting. His wisdom and rare ability to connect with multiple generations is both energising and inspirational. You should also be warned: he’s not afraid of a good pun, which definitely comes in handy when reaching out to non-prophet organisations.