Mark was one of those hidden saints who are seldom are in the headlines, but whose virtue and kindness make the world a better place.

I had the great privilege of getting to know Mark when he was my pastor some decades back in Ottawa. His sermons were excellent - always Bible-based. His community outreach was well-thoughtout and highly successful. His care and concern for each and every person in the congregation was obvious to all. And he displayed a deep humility in which it was always about Jesus, never about him. As well, he was an excellent teacher - which is why it is such a shame that his illness prevented him from completing his doctorate. The world is a poorer place for his passing.

My light perpetual shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

Paul Malvern, Ottawa Ontario

Mark always had a smile and kind word to share, every time I saw him. I will miss his gentle spirit. It was an honour to know him. I’m holding you and your family in my prayers, Flo.

Mark was a truly inspirational preacher and teacher of the Word of God. My husband and I met Mark in the late 1980s when we moved from Quebec City to Ottawa and Mark was pastoring at Calvary Baptist Church in Ottawa. We hosted Bibly Studies in our home led by Mark. I still remember his teaching with his indepth knowledge of scriptures. Mark was creative in his community outreach when he organized Family Fun Days on church property that brought new families into the church. Mark was also instrumental in organizing an information session for Ottawa area pastors on upcoming legislation affecting families.

The friendship has survived the decades and we were delighted for Mark when he married the love of his life, Florence,

who was instrumental in caring for Mark with compassion and grace through his health struggles. We continue to keep Florence and the family in our prayers.

And for Mark, Jesus has called him home and healed him. "Well done good and faithful servant.....you have been faithful"

Ena Malvern

Darren and I wish to offer our condolences to Flo and to Mark’s family on the passing of Mark.

We appreciated our chats with Mark after church on Sundays.

Mark was caring and thoughtful and we appreciated the support and friendship that he showed to us.

We will miss him.

Flo and Family, you are in our thoughts with love and prayers as you grieve the loss of your loved one.

Tribute: Mark Bezanson

When one tries to truly capture the essence of the life of Mark Bezanson, one is confronted with somehow defining the multi-faceted, multi-talented and multi-giftedness uniqueness of his character and his great contribution to the spiritual lives of those with whom he came into contact with.

But the life of Mark Bezanson reached far beyond the borders of his immediate family and friends. Mark was the consummate theologian, pastor, teacher, mentor, shepherd and best friend to all those with whom he connected.

I came to know Mark when my wife Sally and I worked alongside him at First Baptist Church (Calgary) several years ago. We quickly formed a team with Mark as our leader, Rob Houston as our Youth pastor, Sally as our pastor of Children’s Ministries Phil English as our Music and Worship pastor and me completing an internship for pastoral ministries.

I was immediately impressed by Mark’s ability to create and lead a team of five of us to a level I had never seen or experienced before in any of my previous corporate management roles. We were essentially a team of five people absolutely committed to each other and to creating and leading Christian ministries that would have a significant impact upon the surrounding Beltline community and beyond.

Mark created the framework for the Youth Drop-in, English as a Second Language programs, Christian education and many others. Mark was the creative genius behind each one of the outreach ministries at First Baptist during his tenure.

If one looks at both the Old Testament and the New Testament one can see that what lifts the heart of Father God and of Jesus himself are Pastors i.e. shepherds who truly love others, look after others and care for them beyond themselves. A true shepherd takes care of his flock, strengthens the weak, brings healing to the wounded and seeks and brings back the lost to the flock.

These character traits truly capture the life and ministry of Mark Bezanson. He was an extremely brilliant, gifted man, a man of Christ-like actions who truly cared for others and took every opportunity to bring everyone he connected with into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

May we each take up what Mark taught us, follow how he lived out his life and try in some way to duplicate his ministry passion for the least, the lost and the lonely amongst our churches and our community. May Mark’s calling become our calling.

In Christ’s love,

Rev. James D. and Sally Atkinson