When Mark Blue, who was in his late teens, first stepped into the primary Sabbath school classroom at the Normandie Avenue Seventh-day Adventist church, he had no idea that he was about to have a life-changing experience. After teaching the children their Sabbath school lesson, he received such positive feedback from their parents that he began to consider entering the teaching profession. After wrestling with the decision, he decided to follow that path.

Blue’s career as an educator has taken him from the classroom to the principal’s office, and most recently he served as the associate superintendent for elementary education. On Feb. 22, 2006, the Northern California Conference executive committee voted Blue, who holds a doctorate in education, into the office of executive secretary.

With this new dimension to his lifelong ministry in education, Blue, who has no experience in pastoral ministry, is excited about the opportunities this new position will offer. “I have a sense that God has something in mind, something that I’m not fully aware of,” said Blue. “I pray that God continues to lead me and bless my family as he has done in the past.” Blue and his wife Christy have been married for 30 years, and they have two grown children, Mark, 29, and Noelle, 27.

The NCC education department, where Blue has served since 1999, will feel the loss of his skills. “He will be sorely missed, yet we are pleased to have an educator as an officer of the conference,” said Berit von Pohle, education superintendent.

Jim Pedersen, NCC president, believes Blue’s unique combination of experiences and talents will greatly benefit the administration. “We are excited at the skills Mark will be bringing to the team,” said Pedersen. “I am very pleased that someone with such a strong background in education will be part of the administration.”

As someone who has devoted his life’s work to Adventist education, Blue will continue to be an advocate for the ministry of Adventist schools. “I’m eager to see us in Northern embrace more completely the ministry of educators,” said Blue. “Our conference should be a shining example of the complete marriage of what we as Adventists do — minister both in the pulpit and in the classroom.”

One of the reasons Blue is so devoted to Adventist education is that he was able to experience it for a few years in elementary school. But, as one of six siblings, he was unable to continue in the Adventist system. Blue hopes that his ministry as executive secretary will help inspire a more faithful stewardship of time, talent and means. “If everyone was faithful in their tithe, every child could receive an Adventist education and every church could have a pastor,” said Blue.

Blue has served more than 32 years in educational ministry since that providential experience teaching primary Sabbath school, and he is looking forward to ministering for many more, wherever God may lead.