Mark’s Last Verse

February 1, 2026

12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 

13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3:12–13, NIV84)

This was the last Bible verse sent to followers and friends of my retired pastor and co-author Mark Sutton. Mark fought with pulmonary fibrosis for the past twenty some odd years and received a lung transplant nine years ago. Over the last year, he suffered rejection and there was nothing to be done. He passed away quietly and peacefully on Sunday, February 1, 2026 with his wife, Donna, by his side.

I cannot write what my heart wants to say about Mark at this moment, but I will post something soon. Be in prayer for Donna, his wife; Amy, Jennifer, and Sarah, Mark’s daughters; and Rick and Nancy Donna’s daughters.