After four years on staff at Stonebriar, Executive Pastor of Missions and Outreach Mark Fortney left in July to take on a new ministry adventure. He will serve as president of Sixteen:Fifteen, a parachurch missions ministry in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Fortney is leaving a huge mark on Stonebriar missions, according to David Chavanne.

“Mark was the tool God used to move our church to a focused, strategic approach to missions,” Chavanne said.

Fortney led the process of identifying Chhattisgarh, India, as Stonebriar’s long-term missions focus and oversaw the mission’s development from the ground up. He also initiated Stonebriar’s outreach ministries, including Sports Outreach.

Fortney said he and his family leave Stonebriar with “a sense of deep gratitude and sweet sorrow.”

“We’ve made many good friends, learned much, and grown in our faith,” Fortney said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with many great people and give a special thanks to the Missions and Outreach staff, Missions Leadership Team, and David Chavanne.”

Fortney’s relationship with Sixteen:Fifteen developed when he joined their board two years ago. Sixteen:Fifteen (as in Mark 16:15) helps churches catch a vision for missions, adopt unreached people groups, develop strategic plans, and partner with others to reach millions for Christ. The organization’s goal is to assist 1,000 churches over a ten-year period, mobilizing $1 billion to help fulfill the Great Commission.

Fortney will remain involved as a missions consultant to Stonebriar until the church fills the missions pastor position.