Mark Gornik

Mark R. Gornik (born 1961) is an American theologian, missiologist, author, pastor, and director of City Seminary of New York. He has researched and written about urban ministry, community development, theological education, and the study of global Christianity, particularly African Christianity in New York City.

Mark R. Gornik
Born	1961 (1961) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Nationality	American
Education	Covenant College (B.A., 1983); Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1986); University of Edinburgh (Ph.D., 2008)
Occupation	Theologian · Missiologist · Pastor · Author
Years active	1986–present
Organizations	City Seminary of New York; New Song Community Church (Baltimore); Christian Reformed Church in North America
Known for	Founder and director of City Seminary of New York; studies of African immigrant churches; urban ministry praxis
Notable work	To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City (2002); Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City (2011); Stay in the City: How Christian Faith Is Flourishing in an Urban World (2017); Sharing the Crust: A Communion of Saints in a Baltimore Neighborhood (2024)
Spouse	Rita Aszalos
Children	2

Early life and education

Gornik grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He earned a B.A. from Covenant College (1983), an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary (1986), and a Ph.D. from the Centre for the Study of World Christianity at the University of Edinburgh (2008) studying under Andrew Walls. His research, praxis, and writing has focused on both urban ministry and global Christianity, with an emphasis on African immigrant churches in New York City.^[1]

Ministry and work in Sandtown, Baltimore

Gornik co-founded New Song Community Church in the Sandtown neighborhood of Baltimore in 1986, alongside Susan and Allan Tibbells. Inspired by the community development work of John Perkins, Gornik and his colleagues sought to revitalize a 12-block area in one of Baltimore's most neglected inner-city neighborhoods.^[2][3][4][5]

Under Gornik's leadership, New Song evolved beyond a traditional church setting. The community-based ministry established a health center, a school, the economic development programs, and a housing organization affiliated with Habitat for Humanity. This holistic approach aimed to bring lasting transformation to Sandtown. Reflecting on his time there, Gornik has described the experience as formative, shaping both his faith and his understanding of urban ministry.^{[6][3][7][8][5]}

Founding of City Seminary of New York

Gornik moved to New York City in 1998 to help establish New Song Community Church in Harlem. While working on this church plant and associated community development projects, including affordable housing initiatives, he became increasingly aware of the shifting landscape of global Christianity within the city. He observed a high number of pastors and ministry leaders, particularly from immigrant communities, who had not attended traditional seminaries. This realization led him to explore new models of grassroots theological education.^{[1][9][10][11]}

In 2003, Gornik founded City Seminary of New York, an institution dedicated to training leaders for ministry in urban and immigrant contexts. The seminary focuses on theological education within the city itself, engaging with the diverse religious landscape of New York. Gornik has emphasized the importance of grassroots ministry and peacemaking as core principles of theological training. His work at City Seminary builds upon his earlier experiences in Baltimore, particularly the need to recognize and nurture leadership within communities rather than imposing external structures.^{[1][9][10][11]}

Research on global Christianity

Gornik's doctoral research, conducted under Andrew Walls at the University of Edinburgh, examined the role of African congregations in New York City. Through years of ethnographic study, he explored the migration patterns of African Christians and their establishment of vibrant church communities in the city. His findings highlighted the intersection of globalization, faith, and urban life. According to Gornik, studying African churches in New York allowed him to understand the broader dynamics of migration, labor markets, and transnational religious networks.^[1]

His 2011 book, Word Made Global: African Christianity in Motion, further explores these themes, offering insights into the ways African churches navigate faith and ministry in a globalized world.^[1] This book won a 2012 Christianity Today Book of the Year Award.^[12][10]

Along with several full-length books that he has written or edited, Gornik has also published dozens of journal articles and reviews, almost all dealing with urban ministry or global Christianity.

Philosophy of ministry and theological education

Gornik has consistently emphasized the role of institutions in fostering leadership and community development. He views institutions as intermediary structures that enable individuals to thrive within broader social and economic forces. His approach to theological education is deeply contextual, prioritizing learning within the lived experiences of urban ministry. He has stated that effective leadership formation is not about merely training leaders but about creating space for leadership to emerge and flourish. His ministry model was inspired by his seminary professors Harvie Conn and Tim Keller.^{[1][9][10][13]}

Personal life

Gornik is married to Rita Aszalos, a physician, and they have two children.^[1] He is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America.^[10]

Publications

• To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City. Eerdmans, 2002.^[14][15]
• Understanding World Christianity: The Vision and Work of Andrew F. Walls. Orbis Books, 2011. (with William R. Burrows and Janice A. McLean).^[16][17]
• Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York. Eerdmans, 2011.^[18][19]
• Stay in the City : How Christian Faith is Flourishing in an Urban World. Eerdmans, 2017. (with Maria Liu Wong).^[20][21][22]
• Sharing the Crust : A Communion of Saints in a Baltimore Neighborhood. Cascade Books, 2024.