Our Pastor

The Rev. Marcus J. Mackay, son of Jay and Jeanne (nee Noren) Mackay, was born on January 12th, 1974, in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Perryville, Missouri, Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary in Springfield, Missouri, Strafford Elementary and Junior High School in Strafford, Missouri and Calvary Lutheran School in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated with honors from Lutheran High School in Kansas City, Missouri in 1992. He attended the University of Kansas, Johnson County Community College, Park College, Lindenwood University, and Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin, where in 2000 he received his Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts via Concordia's Extension Campus in St. Louis, Missouri. That same summer he entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, where he received his Master of Divinity degree in May of 2004.

Marcus has been active with the family business since he was thirteen years old. He was apprenticed into the window covering industry and began full-time work with Blinds Unlimited in January of 1994. In 1995 he was transferred to St. Louis, Missouri, where he assisted in starting a new branch of Woodland Studios Shutters, later developing Woodland Shutters and Blinds and acquiring another branch.  Serving in Sales & Management, he also was active in regional planning and development, eventually overseeing all operations of the St. Louis market. Marcus left his position as Regional Manager in June of 2000 to pursue seminary studies.

During his pre-seminary years, Marcus was active in student government and various church activities. At Calvary Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri, he assisted with the formation of a men's ministry and took an active role in sports ministry programs. He has sung in various school and church choirs while also playing percussion for ensembles and worship teams.   He enjoys playing golf, basketball and softball and is also known to have an affinity for classic motorcycles and anything with wheels and an engine. 

Marcus served his vicarage at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska, under the supervision of Rev. Clint K. Poppe. During his fourth year of seminary, Marcus did vacancy work at St. John Lutheran Church in St. James, Missouri.   On March 7^th, 2004, Marcus received his first Call to Friends in Christ Lutheran Church, a newer mission congregation in Bryant, Arkansas.  He was Ordained and Installed there on July 11^th, 2004.  During his tenure with Friends in Christ, the church was blessed with significant growth and moved out of rented retail space onto its own seven acre site and completing two phases of construction.  Marcus was active in the local Lutheran school, Avilla Christian Academy, serving in various advisory positions, assisting in pastoral work to the staff & students, and was also a DCE Intern Supervisor.  His wife Jena also taught at ACA.  Marcus served as Treasurer for the combined LCMS Little Rock Circuits and also served as Pastoral Delegate for the LCMS 2007 National Convention.  Marcus was a charter member of The Rotary Club of Bryant, AR  in March, 2004, serving initially on the Board of Directors as Chair of the Rotary Foundation Committee, and then serving as Club President for 2007-08.  On November 11^th, 2007 he was Called to serve Peace Lutheran Church in Hastings, Nebraska, a position he accepted on November 25^th, 2007.  Marcus completed his tenure at Friends in Christ Lutheran Church, Bryant, Arkansas on December 31^st, 2007. 

He married Jena (nee Rinne) on July 6th, 1996 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri.  Marcus & Jena met at Calvary Lutheran school where they were both Confirmed in 1988, also graduating together from Lutheran High School in Kansas City.  They have been blessed with three sons! Jena has a degree in Biology from William Jewell University as well as a Teaching Certificate through University of Missouri-St. Louis.  She has taught Kindergarten, 2nd and 7th grades in Lutheran schools and also stays busy keeping track of the boys – all four! She also enjoys running, reading, and cooking!  The entire Mackay family is excited about being here at Peace in Hastings!