[MSE] Bishop Seage and the board of managers at Gray Center recently announced that an interim executive director has been hired to replace Grae Dixon, who resigned to take a job in the Diocese of Colorado.
The Rev. Mark Johnston has agreed to serve as interim director of Gray Center beginning May 1 and ending October 31, 2018.
Johnston is a native of Alabama and recently retired after 26-years as executive director of Camp McDowell, the camp and conference center for the Diocese of Alabama. During his tenure at Camp McDowell, Johnston oversaw phenomenal growth in the staff and ministry of the camp. While there he doubled the acreage to1140 acres, increased the size of facility by 350%, and he helped increase the budget over 1,000%. He was also a part of raising over $25 million dollars for Camp McDowell during his tenure.
He has focused much of his work around environmental education and as also volunteered in many outreach projects in Alabama where he has been recognized by many groups for his leadership.
“We are blessed to have Mark join the ministry at Gray Center. Camp McDowell became a nationally recognized camp and conference center under his guidance. His experience will be an incredible benefit during this exciting time in the ministry of our camp and conference center,” said Bishop Seage.
Johnston and his wife, Maggie, live at the end of a mile-long driveway in a house he built. They get most of the home’s energy from solar panels and heat with wood. They have 4 grown children, 3 grandchildren, 5 rescue dogs, and 4 chickens. For fun Mark enjoys fishing, hunting, gardening, and paddling Alabama rivers and creeks.
The Rev. Scott Lenoir is the editor of The Mississippi Episcopalian.
