MARK PRESCOTT GARDNER

Throughout Mark's 40 years of experience in ministry, he has mentored and counselled numerous groups of youth in various locations such as churches, confinement facilities, elementary, middle, and high school students from urban, and suburban areas in New Jersey and Delaware. Mark is also experienced in hospice interfaith chaplaincy, bereavement support group facilitation, presenting and leading workshops at conferences, providing pastoral care services, and being an advocate of victim rights.

As an Ordained Clergy, Mark also provides eulogies for funerals, officiates weddings and provides pulpit supply to churches.

Additional works from Mark are:

Author of his first book titled: KEEP THE CHANGE. A Book for Redirecting Behaviors in the Lives of Adjudicated Youth. Paperback on Amazon and Hardcover at Barnes & Noble.
Convenes his annual "Criminality vs. Theology! Which Mindset Dictates Your Behavior" Conference. Reverend Gardner's approach is to address levels of commitment to one's faith and teaches on how to challenge and nurture youth to live the behavioral expectations found in personal systems of belief.
Provides an annual workshop for Father's Day titled: DADDADVANTAGE, (Divorced and Devoted Dad Advantage). To Inspire and Challenge all dads to become, and or remain actively involved in the lives of their children.

REVIEWS

"I'm sorry I didn't say anything earlier today, but upon reflection I greatly appreciated your messages from the talk you gave in education this afternoon. Especially the encouragement for our residents to forgive their fathers despite it being a difficult thing to do. I think this message resonated deeply with some of the young men in the room. I hope our other residents get the opportunity to hear the same thing from someone they respect as much as you."

- JH, October 2025

"I want to thank you for helping the students to dress like descent young men. I have noticed that their behavior is much better. In the classes I have, we did not have to redirect behaviors as much. I believe you act the way you dress. Anyway, I truly believe it makes a difference, and I hope you continue the great work. By the way, I think they should wear their suits to court."

- MM, June 2025

"I have been so impressed with Mark on so many levels. He is truly eclectic in his balancing of his scholarship in history, political science, Youth-identity formation, and theology, in seeing to the needs of his fractured community, especially in regards to African American youth, 80% who live in fatherless households here in Wilmington, DE. Mark is the father these boys never had."

- Rabbi-Michael Beals, 2023

"Please let me express my thanks for inviting me to participate in your recent conference: Criminality vs. Theology! Which Mindset Dictates Your Behavior? From what I have seen, your resident driven vision to utilize the students' belief system to redirect their behavior is a valid and useful approach. Requiring that the residents dress and behave appropriately and treating them as conference participants. I believe it was very helpful both to their self-esteem as well as their spiritual development. You are to be commended for your insight and initiative to plan and develop both the conference and your vision."

- Dr. David R. Legates, Retired Professor, University of Delaware, 2023

"I was honored to take part in the recent conference, Criminality vs. Theology! Which Mindset Dictates Your Behavior? I appreciate that you called on me to be a part of such a powerful experience to educate and empower young men through my presentation session. "How Do I Overcome Temptations and Lures of Criminal Behavior?" The team you assembled was diverse in thought and background, which enhanced the quality of the conference beyond measure."

- Mr. John Schmidt, Director, Delaware Council on Gambling Problems, 2023

"I have known Reverend Gardner for these past three years. I have participated in certain projects he developed for the young men in his care. He is well spoken, and has a very convincing manner. It is a pleasure to be his colleague."

- Rev. John Hynes, Pastor, St. Catherine of Siena, 2022

"Having attended a Pizza & Praise meeting at Rev. Gardner's home church and then hosting another at our St. Mary's Anglican Church, it was an inspiration to witness young people interested not only in pizza but, also, in hearing God's plan for their lives presented by the inspirational leadership of the Rev. Mark P. Gardner." God bless Pizza & Praise."

- The Rev. Canon Kenneth W. Gunn-Walberg. PhD, St. Mary's Anglican Church,

2019