April 20,2026

Deeply grateful and humbled—that’s how I feel after being elected as the second President of Northeastern Baptist College. Carmen and I recognize that this calling is far bigger than us. We continue the vision that God placed in the heart of Dr. Ballard 13 years ago: To establish a college in New England grounded in biblical truth, driven by evangelistic zeal, and dedicated to educating a generation of young leaders who will impact the world for Christ.

Looking back over the events of this past month, I find myself reflecting on the providence of God. I was raised in rural Pennsylvania as a lost kid, unaware of not only who Jesus was, but also of His power to change hearts. But God, in His mercy, intervened. He saved me, called me, and has now brought me full circle back to the Northeast. The only explanation is the goodness and sovereignty of God. John the Baptist’s words in John 3:27 hit home: “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.” This role and this opportunity are from Him and for Him.

Carmen and I are also profoundly grateful for the family God has given us. Our youngest daughter Rebekah lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she serves in Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office. Our oldest daughter, Abigail, and her husband, Aaron Ricks, live in Melissa, Texas, where they are raising three amazing children: JJ, Lizzie Joy, and a precious six-week-old baby girl they are currently fostering. And, of course, our tail-wagging chocolate Labrador, Obadiah, continues to go wherever we go.

So why NEBC, and why now? During my time serving as Interim Academic Dean, I was deeply encouraged by what I experienced. I was inspired not only by the faculty’s commitment to academic excellence but by their genuine love for their students and their heart for New England. I spent time with students whose hunger to know God’s Word and faithfully proclaim it was unmistakable. Over those months, it became clear to me that NEBC is more than a college. It is a strategic mission center in a region where the gospel is largely absent and unknown. The more I reflected on this, the more convinced I became that God is doing something special in Bennington.

Our lives are meant to be invested in what will last. That conviction is what led me to launch The E2 Initiative, and it is what now brings us to Northeastern Baptist College. Together, we have a unique opportunity to invest in the next generation of leaders who will continue to turn the world upside down for Christ.

I am grateful to lead NEBC in continuing this mission. This is a stewardship, and I intend to give it everything I have. But I can’t do it alone. Will you continue to stand with us? And will you prayerfully consider making a significant investment in NEBC at this critical moment? We look forward to continuing the mission together while God writes an exciting new chapter.

Because of Jesus,

Dr. Mark A. Howell

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