Mark Day: production assistant

by AMY DAVIS
TENNESSEE BIBLE COLLEGE

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Mark Day had always been interested in the technical side of things. But a career along that line took a back seat to a job he felt was more important.

"The idea of preaching the gospel just seemed so fulfilling and such an important work that I set aside some plans I had as far as video production or maybe something in computers," Mark said.

After graduating from high school in 2004, the young man left his home in Indianapolis, bound for the hills of Tennessee. The destination was Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville, where he would train to become a minister.

But Mark wouldn't have to give up his early interests entirely. As it turns out, a part-time position opened up in the TBC television production department in 2005 — and Mark seemed the right man for job. And in 2008, the college added even more responsibilities to his work plate, that of assistant to the dean in Distance Learning, bringing the young man to full-time status.

As the DL assistant, Mark is responsible for managing courses online and answering students' questions about the program.

"I'm kind of a buffer between the faculty and Distance Learning students," he said.

Mark Day
Production Assistant

As production assistant, he is responsible for studio setup, camera operation, editing and producing DVDs to be taken to the local television station. In particular, he works extensively in the production of Bible Questions and Answers, a program hosted by TBC President Malcolm Hill, along with teaching assistant Paul Wilmoth.

"I knew I wanted to do something along the lines of preaching," Mark said. "Now I'm able to help brother Hill and brother Wilmoth get their preaching out to the public through video production and computer work. So I get the best of both worlds."

That's not to say Mark doesn't keep busy with his own preaching. Since 2005, he's been filling the Sunday pulpit at Midway Church of Christ near Spencer, Tenn. He also stays occupied with his TBC coursework, all the while maintaining President's List status with his GPA.

Mark said he was drawn to TBC for a variety of reasons.

His first introduction was during the school's annual summer preaching camp — and TBC had made a good impression on Mark, a highschooler at the time.

"I enjoyed the classes during camp," he said.

Another contributing factor was that his future wife, Alissa, whom he married in 2006, also happened to live in Cookeville. 

"And I had some friends down here, and I knew I wanted to preach, and I liked this place," he said.

What's the best part of working with TBC?

"I  think it's the magnitude of influence we're able to have working together here," Mark said. "On your own, your efforts may sometimes seem pitiful. Obviously, everybody should work and do things on their own, but with TBC I'm able to reach people I would have otherwise never come in contact with." 

When he's not working or studying, Mark enjoys working with computers, playing video games, running, biking, playing "ultimate frisbee" and spending time with his wife.