Mark will be ordained priest this coming weekend and continue to serve as Assistant Curate in St Mary’s Church, Rotterdam, where he has been serving his curacy year.

Before starting his journey towards ordination, Mark Hafkensheid worked in many areas of the financial industry. Not only did he work for the Amsterdam Exchange, Euronext, and the New York Stock Exchange, but he also trained as a work-life coach where he nurtured his love for working with people, talking with them, and being part of their journey through life.

Theological training was an enlightening experience for Mark; whilst the course presented numerous challenges, he revelled in being part of the community and brushing up on his English language, culture, and bible liturgy.

Alongside his curacy at St Mary’s, Mark this year, he has also worked at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam where he will continue to serve as a full-time chaplain together with a Roman Catholic Priest and a Protestant Minister.

If you, like Mark, have felt your own calling to ministry, or just want to explore how to put your talents to best use, you can find out more information on our ministry page.