Biography
Is this dude for real? He’s as happy about God as a Whirling Dervish is about tights—yet without the funny hat. Something’s wrong. Where’s the dog and pony show?
People can’t figure out Marc Estes. Somewhere along the way, he put two and two together and came to one incredible conclusion: following God isn’t rocket science. It has far less to do with trying to impress God than it does just being who He made you to be… you. People recognize him by name. In the drive-thru lane at Starbucks. At the gym. At the department store. “Hey, Marc, I decided to visit your church… you’re right; it’s not what I expected.” Like a pied piper of spiritual seekers, Marc’s life bears the evidence of connecting with humanity. And he likes it that way.
Marc and his wife Susan serve as Executive Pastors at City Bible Church in Portland, Oregon under the leadership of Senior Pastor Frank Damazio. He serves as the Director of Pastoral Ministries. It’s a challenging post, but after traveling 200 days a year as Director of Evangelism for Christian Equippers International in South Lake Tahoe, Marc welcomes the opportunity to focus on reaching his own community as part of the pastoral team at his local church.
He still travels on occasion; Marc is sought-after for his casual, humorous approach and deeply convicting insight. He is frequently invited to speak at local churches around the nation and at leadership and youth conferences at home and abroad.
Over the years, Marc has written a prolific volume of church resources and training materials, as well as an award-winning book, Jesus Today, released in 2000. His latest book, which he just
completed, is an epic discovery of becoming “the you you were meant to be.” It was released in the summer 2006.
Marc enjoys having young people over at his home. It’s not unusual for a group of guys to gather in
his living room to watch a Mariners game, while consuming large bowls of breakfast cereal. Susan
is a mentoring mom at City Bible Church, is active in women’s ministries and enjoys coordinating
weddings.
Marc and Susan live in Happy Valley, Oregon and have two grown daughters, two sons, and three
grandsons. Marc’s two sons-in-law have come to accept his sense of humor as an unavoidable part
of the package.