Mark A. Dennis Jr., former Second Baptist pastor and head of McGaw YMCA, has died at 74

Submitted by the family

Rev. Mark Andrew Dennis Jr. was born to Sylvia Janette Baldwin Dennis and Mark A. Dennis Sr. on Aug. 22, 1949, in Atlanta, Georgia, and died peacefully on May 17 in Rockville, Maryland.

A celebration of life will be held June 15 at Martin Street Church of God in Atlanta. A livestream link to view the memorial virtually will be provided in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Morehouse College (Moorehouse College, 830 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30314) in memory of Mark A. Dennis, Jr.

In 1971, Mark graduated from Morehouse College with departmental honors, and 30 days later married his high school sweetheart, Gwendolyn D. Johnson. Through that union, he became a proud father to four children: Gelencia, DeAndrea, Mia (Walter) and Mark III (LaRhonda).

While in the D.C. area, Mark served as Associate Pastor and Minister of Music at Third Street Church of God, Associate Dean/Director of Religion and Continuing Education at Howard University School of Divinity, Director of Development (Interim) at Howard University, Minister of Music at Asbury United Methodist Church, Covenant Baptist Church and Faith United Church of Christ.

In 1995, Mark joined the national consulting firm Alford Group as vice president, chief marketing officer and equity partner. Later in life, Mark married Barbara Owens and developed an endearing union with her two sons, Brian and Stacey Owens.

While serving clients in the not-for-profit sector, Mark also provided interim pastoral leadership to Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago and Second Baptist Church in Evanston. Mark later accepted the call to become Senior Pastor of the historic Second Baptist Church.

Second Baptist Church’s news release on Mark included the following excerpt:

“Beginning in January 2002, Reverend Dennis served as Interim Pastor of Second Baptist through August 2003. He was installed as the Senior Pastor in November 2003 as the church celebrated its 121st anniversary of presence and service to the Evanston community and beyond.  Reverend Dennis readily accepted the SBC legacy and raised it to a higher level. During his tenure, Reverend Dennis led the church in significant growth through church management, ministries, and community presence.” 

In 2013, Mark announced to Second Baptist Church leaders of his intent to retire. However, instead of retiring, Mark accepted the position offered as President and Chief Executive Officer of the McGaw YMCA. In 2017, he finally retired and moved back to Maryland to spend more time with his children and grandchildren.

Mark was a devoted, engaging, and loving grandfather to Khalel, Amaya, Lailah, Mark IV, Daniel, and his honorary grandsons Walter Jr, Quamae, Quintin, and David. Mark also leaves to cherish his memory and legacy five loyal and loving siblings: William (Theresa, deceased), Sylvia, Alonza (Carolyn), Grace (Arthur), and Jackie (Welton), one godson, Norman Carter IV, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Prior to his final transition, Mark spent numerous hours learning to better care for himself, attend to others and be at peace with his ambitions, expectations, challenges and physical maladies. Accordingly, Mark devoted significant time toward praying, writing meditations and finalizing thoughts, files, and papers. His phrase “Onward, Forward, Regardless … NOW!” has become a clarion call for several visionary leaders. Mark’s often-cited word, “PEACE”, was a reminder that each of us must be divine agents of both “progressive action” and “transformative love!”

PEACE!