Mark Webb - Preaching Minister

Mark is a native of West Burlington, Iowa.  He worked for General Electric in West Burlington, for 17 years before attending Harding University and completing a Bachelor of Ministry degree.  Before coming to Cedar Rapids, Mark preached in Arkansas and Ohio.  He is currently working on a Masters of Divinity Degree through Harding School of Theology in Memphis, Tennessee.  Mark has a passion for discovering God in everyday life.  Besides spending time with his wife and 3 daughters, he enjoys reading, writing, and getting to know other people (which often means an introduction to new hobbies).

  • Favorite books: Weird, Jesus for President, Mere Discipleship, Louis L’Amour books
  • Favorite music: Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, 80’s rock still brings a smile
  • Favorite movies: Flywheel, Dances with Wolves, Dolphin Tale
  • Favorite books of the Bible: Philippians, John, Genesis
  • Ask me about: anything you want to talk about – that’s how both of us can learn.

 

Norman Bales - Associate Minister

Norman Bales serves as Central's Associate Minister. He has spent more than fifty years in ministry, serving churches in Texas, Oklahoma, New York, Louisiana and Kansas. From 1977 to 1992, he served as Central's pulpit Minister. He is a graduate of Abilene Christian University has done graduate studies there. For five years he served on the planning board for the Pan American Lectureship – missionary conferences promoting mission activity in Latin America. Norman and his wife, Ann have four children and three grandchildren.  Norman has written three published books – He Died to Make Men Holy,(College Press), How Do I Know I’m Saved (Gospel Advocate), A Sense of Belonging (Twentieth Century Christian).  He and Ann co-authored a book on affair prevention.  They maintain a website dealing with family issues www.allaboutfamilies.org  Favorite Movies: True Grit, Lonesome Dove, Epic Westerns, old stuff, especially with Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant

  • Favorite Books: Mere Christianity and The Chronicles of Narnia  by C. S. Lewis,  Knowing God by J. I. Packer.. The Pursuit of Holiness by R. C. Sproul. The Celebration of Discipline by. Richard J. Foster. The Lord of the Ring  by. J. R. R. Tolkien. The Sackett Brand by Louis L’Amour.  Lone  Cowboy by Will James.  I’ve been working on reading biographies of our presidents (only those who have been dead at least fifty years). Bruce Catton and Shelby Foote’s books on the Civil War
  • Favorite Musical Artists/Groups: I like Southern Gospel, Traditional Hymns, Cowboy Music, Bluegrass, and Western Swing in that order.  Songs:  Southern Gospel –“He Touched Me” (Gaither) ,  ”Sweet Beulah Land”(Squire Parsons)  Traditional: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus””How Great Thou Art” Cowboy “I Was Born to be a Cowboy (Michael Martin Murphey) “Prairie Girl” (Sons of the San Joaquin) Bluegrass “Blue Moon of Kentucky” (Bill Monroe) “Uncle Pen” (Ricky Skaggs) Western Swing “San Antonio Rose” (Bob Wills) “I Allow as How You’re from Texas” (Asleep at the Wheel)
  • Favorite books of the Bible: Psalms, Hebrews,  Romans  I’m currently working on a commentary on Hebrews.
  • Ask me about: Hebrews, Restoration History, Civil War, History of the Old West, Farming Methods in the early twentieth century, Cowboy music. 

 

Kim Abrams - Receptionist/Administrative Professional

Kim has served as the church secretary since 1996.  She grew up in Mason City, Iowa, and lived in Des Moines, for one year before moving to Cedar Rapids, in 1992.  Kim and her husband, Jeff, have two married sons, and one grandson.

  • Favorite movies:  Music Man, Little Women, Love Comes Softly Series
  • Favorite Books:  Elm Creek Quilt Series
  • Favorite Music:  Casting Crowns, Point of Grace, Mercy Me, FFH
  • Favorite Books of Bible:  Philippians
  • Ask me about:  I am happy to do my best to help whenever/wherever I can.  If I don’t have an answer, I will try to point people in a direction where they can find the assistance they need.