Full Name: Mark Anthony Clayborne

Family Status: Ultra Happily Married with two great kids.

How I met my spouse: She answered the want add. Ok, just kidding. She was on the welcoming committee at college and I just knew she had was the one. (Although it took 3 years to come to an understanding. She just wanted to be friends and I wasn’t taking applications for friends.)

How I became a Christian: Ok, the quick version. I grew up in a Christian home. Even “said a prayer” as a kid. It didn’t take. I stayed in and out of trouble through my middle school years until I was asked to “seek alternative educational means” my freshman year of high school. I was sent to a Christian school where I met people who really were patient with me and didn’t automatically put me in the FIOA Club. (That’s Future Inmates of America). God used these people to show me His unconditional love. March 20, 1989 I knelt with our school principle and invited Christ into my heart as my Savior and Lord.

I’d Describe My Faith As: The most important thing in life. Not just mine, but life period. We all fit in God’s plan whether we want to or not. It is just so awesome to realize that the God that holds the universe together is mindful of me.

Spiritual Gifts: Mmm, that’s a tough one. I guess teaching and a caring spirit. I don’t like to see others hurt. I’m the guy that starts breaking out the wallet when they show the kids on tv and stops to help people change tires.

Education: Southeastern Seminary by way of Patriot University by way of Southeastern College by way of Lenoir Community College, by way of Bethel Christian Academy, by way of North Lenoir High School, E.B. Frink Middle School, by way of Banks Elementary School, by way of Grace Christian School.

How I ended up at Wellspring: This actually kind of a cool story I think. I was previously at a church in Eastern, NC. I began to really feel that God was moving me to do something different. I wasn’t sure what that was and started praying. At first I thought perhaps what He wanted for me was church planting. I began studying every book I could get a hold of on the subject. I even started thinking of names. One of the names I thought of was…Wellspring. So, I decided to google it. And I found Wellspring Community Church in Clayton. I looked around the site and filed it away. Following God’s lead I resigned my post and applied to Seminary not really knowing where God was going to lead. So, around Christmas time I found myself for the first time in over a decade working in a field other than full time ministry. I was a driver helper with UPS. This gave me a lot of time to think and opportunity to meet lots of great people. One of whom was Mrs. Joan Wellener. I stopped by the store she works at to make a delivery and overheard her singing with the Christmas carols. I commented on this and we struck up a conversation. Several months and a lot of praying later, here I am.

Favorite Album: I seem to play Hillsong United Live over and over, and over, and over. Although in a strange twist I really dig Harry Connick (he doesn’t call himself Jr. anymore, he’s all grown up now).
Movies: How many do you want to know? Ok, in no particular order…The Last Samurai, Lord of the Rings and Brave Heart.

Food: Yes, I like food. I eat a lot of Mexican food.

Favorite Book of the Bible: Lately it has been Genesis. Seeing how God has always been at work is just incredible.

Favorite Verse: Zec. 4:6, “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of Hosts.”

How I spend my days off: Doing things with the “fam.” We do all kinds of things together. One of my favorites is just curling up on the couch with something sweet, the kids, Sherri and a good movie.

The personal project: I love to write music with Sherri and I am also working on 3 different book projects. (Maybe I’ll finish them before they are no longer relevant.)

First jobs: The very first thing I did was “pan bacca” as an 11 year old. Then I worked at Bojangles and the as a Material Handler at a textile company.

Most embarrassing moment: All of middle school.

Most powerful book I’ve read: Other than “The Book” that would be Simple Church. It will change your way of thinking.

My best childhood memory: The year I got my Atari for Christmas!

Nobody knows that I: Like Chick Flicks.

Best way to make me laugh: American Idol Train Wrecks. It’s actually the only part of the show I watch, willingly anyway.

Best gift I ever received: My family.

If Only: A normal, hard working, blue collar sensible person could be president of this country.

One thing that I can’t stand: Is a racist attitude.

What I’d like prayer for: To complete the books I am working on.

What I’d like to say to the people of Wellspring: I am thrilled to be a part of the spiritual journey of this family of believers.