Mark Finley

Mark A. Finley is an American evangelist, author, and administrator in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, renowned for his pioneering role in satellite evangelism and his decades-long leadership in global outreach efforts.^[1] Born in Connecticut and baptized into the church at age 17 in March 1963, Finley pursued theological studies at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, where he graduated and married Ernestine "Teenie" Tenney.^[1] His early career included pastoral internships in Hartford, Connecticut, and work at the Wildwood Medical Missionary Institute under evangelist W. D. Frazee, followed by roles in the Southern New England and Lake Union conferences where he developed evangelism training programs such as the Lake Union Sowing Institute.^[1] Finley gained prominence as the speaker and director of the internationally broadcast television program It Is Written from the early 1990s until 2004, during which he traveled worldwide to share biblical teachings and conduct evangelistic meetings.^[1] He pioneered the church's first satellite evangelistic series, NET '95, and subsequent events like NET '96, NET 2000, and NET 2008, which reached millions and resulted in thousands of baptisms.^[2] Over his career, Finley has led more than 200 evangelistic campaigns across approximately 100 countries, baptizing thousands and emphasizing themes of hope, prophecy, and spiritual revival.^[2] In church administration, Finley served as secretary of the Ministerial Association in the Trans-European Division from 1985 to 1990, director of the General Conference's Global Mission and world evangelism departments in the early 2000s, general vice president from 2005 to 2010, and assistant to the president since 2010, a role he continues part-time.^[1] He directed the Center for Global Evangelism and contributed to major initiatives like the Hope for Africa campaign, which led to over 197,000 baptisms.^[1][2] A prolific writer, Finley has authored around 100 books on topics including Bible prophecy, Christian living, and evangelism, along with numerous articles, seminar materials, and Sabbath School quarterlies published through Adventist channels.^[2] In retirement from full-time administrative duties, he remains active through media platforms like the Hope Channel's Experience Hope series and the YouTube channel HopeLives365, which has garnered over 300,000 subscribers (as of November 2025) for its digital evangelism content.^[1][3] Finley and his wife Teenie, with whom he has shared ministry for over 50 years, have three adult children and five grandchildren.^[2]

Early Life and Education

Childhood and Family Background

Mark Finley was born in 1945 in Connecticut, United States, into a mixed religious household.¹² His mother was Catholic, while his father was Protestant, creating a home environment influenced by both traditions but without any formal affiliation to Seventh-day Adventism.³ Upon marrying Mark's mother, his father had promised a priest that he would raise their children in the Catholic faith, reflecting the family's effort to navigate these differing beliefs.³ Growing up in Norwich, Connecticut, Finley experienced a childhood shaped by his parents' religious diversity, which exposed him early to contrasting Christian practices and doctrines.³ The family dynamics emphasized a blend of Catholic rituals and Protestant teachings, fostering an initial worldview that valued faith but lacked a unified denominational commitment.³ Formative experiences included working alongside his father in their family machine shop, where daily interactions highlighted practical values like hard work and family collaboration, contributing to Finley's developing sense of responsibility and curiosity about spiritual matters.³ These early exposures to Catholicism and Protestantism provided Finley with a broad foundation in Christianity, influencing his later personal explorations without yet leading to a specific religious commitment.³

Conversion and Baptism

Mark Finley, raised in a Catholic household due to his father's promise to his Catholic wife, encountered Seventh-day Adventist teachings through his father's conversion to the faith after discussions with an Adventist layperson. Although his father had become a Seventh-day Adventist, the family continued attending Catholic services to honor the marital agreement. At age 17, during his senior year of high school, Finley's father began sharing biblical principles with him during their daily morning commutes to work, which sparked Finley's personal interest in studying the Bible independently.^[1] This self-directed study deepened Finley's conviction in Adventist doctrines, further influenced by an elderly Italian church member named Frances Paresi, whose heartfelt singing of the hymn "Does Jesus Care?" exemplified unwavering faith in Christ's provision amid trials. These encounters prompted Finley to embrace Seventh-day Adventist beliefs fully, leading to his decision for baptism. In March 1963, at the age of 17, Finley was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, marking his formal adoption of the faith.^[1][4] Following his baptism, Finley immediately integrated into the Seventh-day Adventist community, attending church services and navigating his new commitments as the sole Adventist student in a high school of 3,300 non-Adventist peers. This period tested his resolve, as he grappled with social isolation and concerns about fitting in, yet he drew strength from his faith to live out Adventist principles daily. His early involvement included participating in local church activities, laying the foundation for his lifelong dedication to evangelism.^[4]

Academic Training

Following his baptism in 1963, Mark Finley pursued formal studies in theology at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, where he enrolled in the theology program to prepare for a career in Seventh-day Adventist ministry.^[1] Finley graduated from Atlantic Union College with a degree in theology and met his future wife, Ernestine "Teenie" Tenney, during his studies there. He later received a Doctor of Divinity (DDiv) degree, which underscored his theological expertise and equipped him for leadership roles in evangelism and church administration within the denomination.^[1][5] His academic training at Atlantic Union College emphasized Seventh-day Adventist theology and principles of evangelism, providing a foundational understanding of biblical interpretation and pastoral preparation that influenced his lifelong commitment to public proclamation of faith.^[1]

Ministry Career

Early Pastoral Roles

Following his academic training at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, Mark Finley began his pastoral ministry with a two-year internship in Hartford, Connecticut, where he served in local Seventh-day Adventist church settings while his wife, Ernestine, taught at a nearby church school.^[1] This initial role provided foundational experience in pastoral duties, including sermon preparation and community engagement within the Southern New England Conference.^[1] Subsequently, Finley joined the staff at the Wildwood Medical Missionary Institute in Wildwood, Georgia, where he worked under the mentorship of W. D. Frazee, honing his preaching skills through practical involvement in health-oriented evangelism and altar calls.^[1] This period emphasized integrating medical missionary work with spiritual outreach, building his ability to deliver compelling biblical messages in small-group settings and community health programs.^[1] His efforts here laid the groundwork for a distinctive style of evangelism that combined health education with gospel proclamation.^[1] Finley then returned to the Southern New England Conference as an evangelist, where he organized youth-led teams for public evangelism campaigns, focusing on urban outreach and small-scale Bible studies to connect with local communities.^[6] These initiatives, active in the late 1970s, involved door-to-door visitation and introductory preaching events that sharpened his public speaking through interactive, grassroots interactions.^[6] Later, in the Lake Union Conference, he conducted evangelistic series across the Midwest, particularly in Chicago, over six years, directing the Lake Union Soul-Winning Institute and emphasizing personal Bible studies to foster church growth.^[1][7] These experiences solidified his evangelistic foundation by prioritizing relational outreach over large-scale events.^[1] From 1985 to 1990, Finley served as secretary of the Ministerial Association in the Trans-European Division, where he supported pastoral training and evangelistic programs across Europe.^[1]

Leadership in Media Evangelism

Mark Finley served as the speaker and director of the television program It Is Written from 1991 to 2004, succeeding founder George Vandeman and leading the ministry through a period of significant expansion in global outreach.^[8] During his tenure, Finley traveled extensively worldwide as a televangelist, delivering sermons and Bible studies that were broadcast internationally, often incorporating on-location filming to engage diverse audiences in regions such as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.^[8] His leadership emphasized innovative programming that combined scriptural exposition with contemporary issues, fostering a format that appealed to both Adventist viewers and seekers exploring Christianity.^[9] Following his time at It Is Written, Finley took on the role of speaker for Experience Hope, a weekly television series on the Hope Channel, where he continues to present biblically focused messages aimed at personal spiritual growth and hope in daily life.^[2] The program features Finley discussing topics like faith amid challenges and the relevance of prophecy, drawing on his extensive preaching background to connect with viewers seeking inspirational content.^[2] Under Finley's direction, It Is Written achieved substantial viewership, with estimates of up to two million weekly viewers in North America alone and broadcasts reaching audiences in nearly every country through 12 languages, significantly amplifying the program's role in media evangelism. This media presence enabled Finley to extend his evangelistic influence beyond traditional pulpits, contributing to a broader global impact by making Adventist teachings accessible to international households via satellite and cable networks.^[8]

General Conference Positions

In the early 2000s, Finley served as director of the General Conference's Global Mission and world evangelism departments, coordinating international outreach initiatives.^[1] In 2005, Mark Finley was elected as one of the vice presidents of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists at the session in St. Louis, Missouri, with a primary portfolio in evangelism and media ministry.^[1] As vice president, he directed the Office of Global Evangelism, overseeing strategies to coordinate worldwide evangelistic efforts and support church-wide initiatives for outreach.^[10] During his tenure from 2005 to 2010, Finley contributed to church policies emphasizing integrated evangelism, including the promotion of multimedia approaches and lay involvement in global mission activities, as part of broader General Conference frameworks for expansion.^[11] Following his vice presidency, Finley transitioned to the role of assistant to the General Conference president in 2010, appointed at the Atlanta session, where he continued to focus on evangelism from the church's headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.^[2] In this capacity, he served as a key advisor on global outreach policies, chairing the Global Mission Council and facilitating reports on evangelism metrics during executive committee meetings, such as those presented at the 2011 Spring Meeting.^[10][12] Finley's administrative roles advanced Seventh-day Adventist policies on holistic evangelism, integrating traditional preaching with digital and satellite technologies to enhance global impact, while ensuring alignment with the church's mission to reach diverse populations.^[8] His efforts in these positions helped shape directives for total member involvement in outreach, influencing subsequent General Conference action plans for sustained growth.^[13] Around 2020, he transitioned to part-time duties in this role while remaining semi-retired and continuing to serve as assistant to the president as of 2025.^[1][14]

Recent and Post-Retirement Engagements

Since transitioning to semi-retirement around 2020 while maintaining part-time responsibilities at the General Conference, Mark Finley has remained deeply engaged in Seventh-day Adventist ministry through voluntary initiatives. A key focus has been hosting the HopeLives365 Bible study broadcast, which he launched in the early 2020s as a digital YouTube-based platform in collaboration with laypeople to extend evangelistic outreach globally. As of November 2025, the channel has over 306,000 subscribers and reaches audiences in every country accessible via YouTube, featuring weekly programs that include live Bible studies every Wednesday at 8 PM Eastern Time, quarterly Sabbath School lessons, and multi-part evangelistic series on topics such as prophecy and health principles.^[1][15][3] These sessions are streamed live and archived on YouTube, Facebook, and the official HopeLives365 website, emphasizing practical, Christ-centered biblical teachings to foster personal faith and community discussion.^[16] Finley has sustained his writing efforts post-2020, producing monthly Bible study lessons distributed through Adventist channels and contributing to digital resources like online courses on prophetic preaching and evangelism strategies offered via HopeLives365 University. These materials, developed from his recent virtual training sessions, support self-paced learning for global audiences seeking deeper scriptural understanding. His speaking engagements have also continued unabated, with appearances at regional camp meetings—such as the 2024 Chesapeake Conference event—and international gatherings, including the opening devotional at the 62nd General Conference Session in St. Louis on July 3, 2025, where he inspired attendees with messages on hope amid uncertainty. In 2025, he delivered sermons like "The Power of Christ Working Through One Individual" at Pentecost events, reinforcing themes of personal transformation and mission.^{[2][17][14][18][19]} In addition, Finley dedicates significant time to training and mentoring emerging evangelists through structured seminars and field schools organized under Hope Lives Evangelistic Ministries. He conducts 7 to 9 intensive sessions annually, each spanning five days and equipping 300 to 400 pastors and lay leaders with skills in sermon preparation, appeal-making, and series organization. Recent examples include a September 2024 evangelism planning seminar with his wife, Teenie Finley, and a May 2025 YouTube training video on witnessing Bible truths to others, emphasizing relational evangelism techniques. These efforts build on his decades of experience to empower the next generation in public proclamation.^[1][20][21]

Evangelistic Contributions

Pioneering Satellite Series

In 1995, Mark Finley pioneered the first satellite evangelistic series in Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) history with NET '95, titled "Amazing Discoveries," which ran from February 18 to March 25. Broadcast live from Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Finley served as the primary speaker, the series utilized satellite uplink technology through the Adventist Communication Network (ACN) to transmit messages to downlink sites equipped with satellite dishes, VCRs, and large-screen projectors, at an approximate setup cost of $3,000 per church.^[22] This innovation allowed simultaneous delivery of evangelistic content to approximately 850 churches across North America and select international locations, marking a significant departure from traditional in-person crusades.^[22][23] The series focused on themes of biblical prophecy, end-time events, health principles, and spiritual truths, with sermon topics including "Countdown to Eternity" and "The Mark of the Beast," supported by co-speaker Charles D. Brooks for question-and-answer segments. On its opening night, NET '95 drew 66,000 attendees across 676 locations in North America alone, demonstrating the technology's potential to amplify reach far beyond what local events could achieve.^[22][24] Challenges included skepticism about the impersonal nature of televised evangelism, such as concerns that audiences would not respond to on-screen altar calls, which Finley and organizers addressed by emphasizing local church involvement for personal follow-up, including visitation, baptismal classes, and fellowship events.^[22] This approach helped overcome implementation hurdles related to technical setup and audience engagement in diverse settings.^[23] NET '95 played a pivotal role in expanding the SDA Church's global presence by enabling a unified message to reach thousands simultaneously, fostering coordinated evangelism across regions and inspiring subsequent media initiatives. Outcomes included over 5,000 baptisms reported by October 1996, with local churches conducting follow-up crusades that sustained momentum and integrated new members into communities.^[24] For instance, one Florida church baptized a family shortly after the series, attributing their decision to the broadcast's impact combined with personal ministry.^[25] The success validated satellite technology as a tool for scalable outreach, reaching an estimated 16,000 weekly viewers in major cities like Chicago and setting a precedent for the church's media evangelism strategy.^[22]

NET Evangelism Campaigns

Mark Finley played a pivotal role in the NET (NETwork Evangelism Training) series, a satellite-based initiative by the Seventh-day Adventist Church designed to facilitate large-scale evangelism across multiple sites simultaneously. He preached in 17 such series worldwide, often collaborating with other church leaders to coordinate broadcasts and local implementations.^[26] Notable examples include NET '95, broadcast live from Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1995, and NET '96, uplinked from Orlando, Florida, in 1996, where Finley served as the primary speaker supported by figures like Charles D. Brooks.^[23][22][27] These efforts built briefly on earlier satellite evangelism experiments, expanding to train and equip local congregations for broader outreach.^[23] The structure of NET campaigns emphasized preparation and multi-site execution, with pre-event satellite broadcasts in 1994 and 1995 providing training for local pastors and lay leaders on evangelism goals and methods, led by Finley alongside North American Division president Alfred C. McClure.^[23] Each series typically spanned several weeks, featuring Finley's live sermons beamed to hundreds of churches, where local leaders facilitated discussions, Bible studies, and follow-up sessions to nurture attendees. This collaborative model involved coordination with division presidents like McClure and global church president Robert S. Folkenberg, ensuring alignment with denominational objectives and leveraging media like church publications for promotion.^[23][28] Outcomes from these campaigns demonstrated significant scale and impact, particularly in attendance and conversions. For instance, NET '95 reached 676 sites with 66,000 attendees, resulting in approximately 5,000 baptisms, while NET '96 expanded to 1,910 churches, drawing 171,182 participants—including over 51,000 nonmembers—and leading to 9,772 baptisms.^[23] Across the 17 series, millions attended in total, with thousands converted, underscoring the effectiveness of this integrated approach to evangelism.^[28][26]

Global Outreach Impact

Mark Finley's evangelistic efforts have reached millions worldwide through a combination of live events and media broadcasts, including over 20 NET satellite series that engaged audiences across North America, Europe, and Africa. His international travels have spanned diverse regions, from preaching to 10,000–12,000 attendees daily in Moscow, Russia, in 1992, to conducting series in Serbia in 1988 and multiple campaigns in African nations like Tanzania and Kenya. These initiatives have targeted varied demographics, including urban intellectuals in Eastern Europe and rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, fostering inclusive outreach that transcends cultural and socioeconomic boundaries.^[29][30][31] His work has directly contributed to substantial growth in Seventh-day Adventist Church membership, particularly in developing regions. For instance, the 2023 Hope for Africa series in Nairobi, Kenya, resulted in over 197,000 baptisms across the East-Central Africa Division, with more than 100,000 attributed to digital extensions of the campaign. Similarly, the 2018 Revelation of Hope series in Tanzania yielded over 19,000 baptisms, while earlier efforts like the 1992 Moscow meetings led to 2,000 new members. These outcomes have bolstered SDA membership in targeted areas, with Africa seeing accelerated expansion due to such large-scale evangelistic pushes.^{[32][33][34][30]} As of 2025, Finley's legacy endures in shaping modern SDA evangelism strategies, emphasizing the integration of traditional live preaching with digital technologies for broader global impact. By pioneering satellite broadcasts in the 1990s and later advocating for internet platforms and artificial intelligence in outreach, he has influenced church-wide initiatives that prioritize scalable, tech-driven methods to reach unreached populations. This approach continues to guide the denomination's efforts in total member involvement and innovative media evangelism.^[35][33]

Writings and Publications

Authored Books

Mark Finley has authored more than 70 books, with estimates reaching nearly 100 when including minor works, study guides, and collaborative publications, primarily through Seventh-day Adventist presses such as Pacific Press Publishing Association and Review and Herald Publishing Association.^[36][2] His writings consistently emphasize biblical prophecy, practical Christian living, and core Seventh-day Adventist doctrines, including Sabbath observance, health principles, and eschatological hope, often drawing from the books of Daniel and Revelation to provide interpretive frameworks for contemporary events.^[37][38] Key examples of his major publications include:

• Solid Ground: Daily Devotional for Adults (2000), a year-long devotional exploring faith amid modern challenges.^[39]
• Revelation’s Predictions for a New Millennium (2000, Hart Research Center), a 432-page analysis of apocalyptic prophecies and their relevance to global shifts at the turn of the century.^[40]
• A Religion That Works (1996, co-authored with Steven R. Mosley, Pacific Press), a concise 64-page work advocating for authentic faith that transforms daily life, focusing on practical spirituality.^[41]
• Studying Together: A Ready-Reference Bible Handbook (1995, Review and Herald), a comprehensive reference aiding personal and group Bible study, with over 100,000 copies of the first edition distributed worldwide.^[39][42]
• The Next Superpower: Ancient Prophecies, Global Events, and Your Future (2005, Review and Herald), examining geopolitical tensions through prophetic lenses.^[39]
• When God Said Remember (2009, Autumn House Publishing), delving into the biblical Sabbath as a memorial of creation and redemption.^[43]
• Satisfied: How God Can Meet Your Deepest Needs (2002, Pacific Press), addressing spiritual fulfillment and emotional wholeness.^[44]
• End-Time Hope: A Journey to Eternity (2012, Autumn House), outlining eschatological assurances for believers facing uncertainty.^[39]
• Health & Wellness (2014, Autumn House), promoting biblically grounded lifestyle principles for physical and spiritual health.^[43]
• Hope Beyond Tomorrow (2020, Autumn House), reflecting on eternal promises amid global crises.^[43]

Finley's publication history spans from the early 1990s, with early works like Discover Jesus (1993) focusing on evangelistic outreach, evolving into more doctrinal explorations by the 2000s, and recent titles incorporating contemporary issues such as pandemics and cultural shifts.^[44] He frequently collaborates with co-authors like Steven R. Mosley on shorter thematic books, such as Why So Many Denominations? (2003), which critiques religious fragmentation through Revelation's imagery.^[39] His books have achieved notable impact, with select titles like Studying Together exceeding 100,000 sales and others translated into languages including Spanish (e.g., 10 Días en el Aposento Alto, 2011), extending their reach in global Adventist communities.^[42][36]

Articles and Bible Studies

Mark Finley has contributed a series of monthly Bible studies to Adventist World magazine, providing concise, scripture-based explorations of key doctrinal themes and practical Christian living for a global Seventh-day Adventist readership.^[2] These studies, often focusing on topics such as prophecy, grace, and end-time events, are designed for personal or group use and have been a regular feature in the publication, continuing into 2025 with installments addressing contemporary spiritual challenges.^[26] For instance, his contributions emphasize the relevance of biblical promises amid modern uncertainties, drawing directly from texts like Revelation and Daniel to foster deeper faith.^[45] In addition to magazine work, Finley has developed numerous seminar presentations and teaching manuals centered on evangelism and core doctrines. His Search for Certainty series, launched as a church resource in 2019, includes PowerPoint-based outlines and discussion guides that equip leaders for Bible seminars on topics like salvation, the Sabbath, and prophetic interpretation.^[46] Complementing this, the 2018 evangelism training manual Fulfilling God's End-Time Mission, co-authored with his wife Ernestine Finley, offers practical strategies for church planting and doctrinal instruction, including session plans for training lay evangelists in relational witnessing and biblical apologetics.^[47] Finley has also authored shorter doctrinal pieces, such as articles in Ministry magazine, where he discusses bridging cultural gaps through seminars on Daniel's prophecies to prepare audiences for gospel truths.^[48] Finley has further extended his influence through study materials developed for HopeLives365, an online platform he co-founded for digital evangelism. These include interactive Bible study courses like the free introductory lessons from Search for Certainty, which cover foundational doctrines such as the sanctuary and health principles, available as downloadable guides for self-paced learning.^[49] Other resources, such as the Secrets from the Ancient Sanctuary series, provide five-part study guides exploring Old Testament typology and its New Testament fulfillment, tailored for small groups or online seminars.^[50] Through these materials, Finley emphasizes accessible, multimedia formats to support global Bible study initiatives, integrating video overviews with printable handouts to enhance doctrinal understanding without requiring extensive prior knowledge.^[15]

Personal Life and Legacy

Family and Personal Relationships

Mark Finley has been married to Ernestine "Teenie" Finley (née Tenney) since their wedding at Atlantic Union College in the late 1960s, marking over 55 years of partnership as of 2025.^[1] The couple has collaborated extensively in ministry, with Teenie contributing through evangelism support, teaching natural lifestyle cooking classes worldwide, and co-founding initiatives like the Living Hope church in Haymarket, Virginia.^[51] Their joint efforts have spanned regions including New England, Europe, and global outreaches, where Teenie's involvement has complemented Mark's preaching and organizational roles.^[1] The Finleys have three grown children—Deborah, Rebecca, and Mark Jr.—along with five grandchildren, who have provided steadfast support amid the demands of international travel and church work.^[2] The family has accompanied or sustained Mark during his extensive evangelistic campaigns in approximately 100 countries, helping maintain balance in his demanding schedule while fostering a home environment rooted in shared faith commitments.^[51] Finley has often emphasized personal spiritual practices centered on reliance on Scripture to navigate life challenges, drawing from biblical promises for strength during family transitions and ministry pressures.^[1] He and Teenie incorporate daily prayer and Bible study as foundational habits, viewing them as essential for enduring personal trials such as relocations and health concerns within their family.^[1]

Church Planting and Community Work

In 2016, Mark Finley, along with his wife Ernestine "Teenie" Finley, founded the Living Hope Seventh-day Adventist Community Church in Haymarket, Virginia, as a center for local evangelism and community influence. The church was established with a focus on Christ-centered biblical principles, emphasizing church growth through practical training and outreach to foster spiritual and communal development in the surrounding area. This initiative stemmed from the Finleys' vision to create a lasting local ministry after decades of global work, beginning with prayers and fundraising efforts that included Teenie Finley's 2015 marathon to support the project's kitchen and community facilities.^[52][53][54] The church's community outreach programs are designed to engage residents through health and educational initiatives, including healthy cooking classes, stress management courses, and seminars on Bible studies and archaeology. These efforts aim to build relationships and promote holistic well-being, with the church operating a community center open seven days a week for events like vegetarian potlucks and walking clubs. Local evangelism is emphasized via the Living Hope School of Evangelism, which partners with Southern Adventist University to offer training sessions and a Master's Degree in Comprehensive Evangelistic Outreach and Mission, equipping pastors and laypeople with skills for effective ministry. In its inaugural year, the program reached over 200 participants, contributing to steady congregational growth.^[55][52] The Finleys have collaborated closely as a family unit to sustain the church's mission, drawing on their over 40 years of joint ministry experience to lead training and outreach activities. Teenie Finley has been instrumental in health-focused programs, while Mark provides evangelistic instruction, ensuring the church remains a vibrant hub for local spiritual growth and community service.^[56][53]

Recognition and Influence

Mark Finley's pioneering use of satellite technology for evangelism, beginning with the Net '95 series in 1995, marked him as the first Seventh-day Adventist pastor to broadcast evangelistic meetings live across North America and internationally, earning widespread acknowledgment within the church for innovating mass outreach methods that facilitated thousands of baptisms and set a precedent for global digital evangelism.^[57] His contributions to evangelism innovations were further recognized through his leadership roles, including serving as speaker and director of the It Is Written telecast from 1991 to 2004, where he disseminated SDA doctrines to millions via television and radio, influencing church growth strategies worldwide.^[1] Finley has mentored numerous younger leaders in evangelism through structured programs, including founding the Lake Union Soul-Winning Institute, which trained seminary students and pastors in practical soul-winning techniques inspired by Ellen G. White's writings.^[1] Via HopeLives365, his ongoing platform, he conducts live training seminars and online courses on Bible studies, prophecy, and health, equipping emerging evangelists with tools for Christ-centered outreach and fostering a new generation of SDA ministers committed to global mission work.^[58] These efforts extend his personal mentorship model, as seen in his early training under W. D. Frazee at Wildwood Medical Missionary Institute, emphasizing hands-on preparation for ministry.^[1] Finley's overall influence on SDA doctrine dissemination and church growth remains profound, with his evangelistic model—blending traditional preaching and modern media—contributing to over 197,000 baptisms in East-Central Africa in 2024 alone, including more than 100,000 directly from his satellite series across 20,000 sites in Kenya.^[35] Through HopeLives365's YouTube channel, which reached nearly 30 million views and 247,000 subscribers by late 2024, he has amplified SDA teachings on prophecy and wellness to diverse audiences, including 10 million Chinese-language downloads, driving doctrinal engagement and membership expansion in underserved regions.^[35] In 2025, his continued involvement in digital platforms and seminars has sustained this impact, as evidenced by his presentations at events like the General Conference Session, encouraging total member involvement in evangelism.^[13] Reflecting on his retirement in 2024, Finley described it not as an end but as an opportunity to intensify ministry, expressing profound joy in serving Jesus and urging others to discover purpose through active gospel work, a perspective that underscores his enduring legacy in motivating SDA church growth amid technological advancements like AI-assisted outreach.^[1]

Footnotes

1. https://bookshop.cc.adventist.org/ ↩
2. https://hopelives365.com/training/mark-and-teenie-finley-bio/ ↩
3. https://adventistreview.org/feature/beyond-retirement/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶