Mark Allen Killingsworth, 64, loving husband and father of five, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, September 11, 2021, after a challenging battle with ALS.

Mark was born on November 18, 1956, in Walnut Grove, Missouri, the son of Rev. Lon and Maxine Killingsworth. He spent his childhood on the family farm and watching his dad preach God's Word each Sunday at Eudora Baptist Church in Eudora, Missouri.  At the age of 17, God called Mark into full time ministry and after graduating high school in Walnut Grove, he went on to earn his degree in music education from Missouri State University, also attending Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Mark married his bride, Vickie, on April 16, 1976, and they launched directly into ministry serving in multiple churches throughout Southwest Missouri. They began their ministry together in 1973 as youth pastors at Temple Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. In 1978, they became youth pastors at Hamlin Baptist Church in Springfield. In 1980, they were called to First Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Missouri and served there for 8 years as full-time music and youth pastors. In 1988, Mark planted and pastored Covenant Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, which is still thriving today. The Lord then led Mark to plant and pastor Stonebridge Church (now Riverstone Fellowship) in Nixa, Missouri in 2001 and then finalized his time in ministry back at Hamlin Baptist Church in 2016, until his retirement in 2020. Mark and Vickie made quite the team with Vickie leading music and Mark preaching God's Word. They blessed many lives during their 47 years in ministry together.

Mark grew up in a home that was devoted to Jesus, and he followed in that legacy by giving his life to advancing the kingdom as a pastor. When those who know him were asked how they would describe Mark, they shared these words: pastor, friend, counselor, mercy giver, blessing speaker, seed sower, spiritual influencer, truth speaker, compassionate, servant leader, faithful, passionate, full of hope, comforter, covenant keeper, inspiration, teacher, and full of wisdom. You can clearly see Christ in the life Mark lived, what a legacy to carry on!

He is now experiencing the glory of heaven, something he longed for his entire life as a pastor. And he would want to pray this blessing over each of you, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with the hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Lon Killingsworth, his father-in-law, Noel Blankenship, his sister-in-law, Valerie Killingsworth, and an infant son prior to birth.

Mark is survived by his wife Vickie, his five children and spouses, Aaron (Lindsay), Sean (Shaunda), Ashley (Brandon), Kurt (Katie), Brett, and nine grandchildren - Nora, Kaedance, Lawson, Kye, Nolan, Kaymbria, Roman, Kinnet, and Koley.

Mark is also survived by his mother Maxine Killingsworth, his brothers Scott, Gary, and Lonnie and his mother-in-law Marjorie Blankenship.

Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Springfield, MO. Celebration of Life Service will begin at 2:00PM, at the church with burial to follow at Greene Lawn Cemetery, Walnut Grove, MO.

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to help support the Hamlin Baptist Church children's building fund by giving online at ​​ www.hamlinbaptist.com/give or the ALS Association.

If you have a memory to share of how Mark impacted your life, the family would love to have you share via video or writing on his website – Home - In Memory of Mark Killingsworth (mailchimpsites.com)