Mark Robbins: A Tribute
Robert Ables—Global Minister
I first met Mark Robbins in 2007 in Bayou LaBatre Alabama. It was a couple of years after Hurricane Katrina, and One Kingdom was helping with a new church plant there. We were introduced to this young fellow covered in drywall dust with a big smile on his face. Little did we know that a long and rich friendship was in our future.
The relationship would grow into one of family. Mark spent hundreds of nights in our home and became close friends with all of our family, then likewise with our church family. Mark was who he was because of his grateful heart towards a Heavenly Father who reached down and saved him from his past, choices that by his own admission had led to a dependence on alcohol and all of the chaos involved.
Through the years we would go on relief efforts all over the USA and several countries. Mark could do almost anything with his hands. He was a hard worker, but there was a difference. His work was his worship. He valued being with people when they needed hope after disasters. He knew it was his calling and purpose. He understood that the value and the source of true hope is only found in Jesus. He was one of the most giving people I’ve ever known. Once, when we went to Haiti, I suggested we all leave our clothes and toiletries with those in need. Mark left everything; all his clothes, shoes, and even his suitcase. He only had his toothbrush in his pocket. That was Mark.
Mark made the Bayou in Alabama his headquarters for several years. He bought a small lot and parked his RV. He also bought a couple of others to rent for income. Some of the renters would fall on hard times and could not pay the rent. He allowed them to stay anyway. His treasure was laid up in heaven so he was more interested in helping the downtrodden even at the risk of being taken advantage of. Sounds like the one he served, Jesus Christ! He worked handy man jobs to have funds to go on the next relief and recovery.
The things Mark did for others are too numerous to write down. Many I knew about and witnessed. I hear of new ones more and more as time goes on. As much as he loved following the storms and providing hope, his greatest sacrifice was stopping what he loved, his purpose, to look after his mom in her last years when she was diagnosed with dementia. He watched her slowly lose her life to this terrible disease. He was with her until the very end. Just as he said he would.
After her passing we asked him to join us full time at One Kingdom in Louisiana. We would work together and transition back into what he loved, relief, recovery, and restoration. We wanted him on staff to leave in a moment’s notice for any disaster anywhere. He was ready. He also ministered to those who needed assistance with needs locally at White’s Ferry Road Church. He was equally excited about that. He made a huge impact immediately. He worked tirelessly for so many here. He loved this church and its focus of offering hope through the love of Jesus. He was all in. We had great plans. It was awesome having him with us every day.
God had other plans. On February 1, 2026 we had lunch together after church. He told me he was sick and needed to see a doctor the next day. On February 6 they found a mass on his liver. Twenty-eight days later on March 6 God called him home. We are all still stunned but rest in knowing that he is in Paradise with The One he loved most.
I feel like I could write a book about him. He has been one of the most influential people in my 75 years on earth. Mark Robbins was one of the most remarkable saints I have ever known. His life is a trophy to God’s amazing grace. Thank you Jesus for Mark Robbins.
The relationship would grow into one of family. Mark spent hundreds of nights in our home and became close friends with all of our family, then likewise with our church family. Mark was who he was because of his grateful heart towards a Heavenly Father who reached down and saved him from his past, choices that by his own admission had led to a dependence on alcohol and all of the chaos involved.
Through the years we would go on relief efforts all over the USA and several countries. Mark could do almost anything with his hands. He was a hard worker, but there was a difference. His work was his worship. He valued being with people when they needed hope after disasters. He knew it was his calling and purpose. He understood that the value and the source of true hope is only found in Jesus. He was one of the most giving people I’ve ever known. Once, when we went to Haiti, I suggested we all leave our clothes and toiletries with those in need. Mark left everything; all his clothes, shoes, and even his suitcase. He only had his toothbrush in his pocket. That was Mark.
Mark made the Bayou in Alabama his headquarters for several years. He bought a small lot and parked his RV. He also bought a couple of others to rent for income. Some of the renters would fall on hard times and could not pay the rent. He allowed them to stay anyway. His treasure was laid up in heaven so he was more interested in helping the downtrodden even at the risk of being taken advantage of. Sounds like the one he served, Jesus Christ! He worked handy man jobs to have funds to go on the next relief and recovery.
The things Mark did for others are too numerous to write down. Many I knew about and witnessed. I hear of new ones more and more as time goes on. As much as he loved following the storms and providing hope, his greatest sacrifice was stopping what he loved, his purpose, to look after his mom in her last years when she was diagnosed with dementia. He watched her slowly lose her life to this terrible disease. He was with her until the very end. Just as he said he would.
After her passing we asked him to join us full time at One Kingdom in Louisiana. We would work together and transition back into what he loved, relief, recovery, and restoration. We wanted him on staff to leave in a moment’s notice for any disaster anywhere. He was ready. He also ministered to those who needed assistance with needs locally at White’s Ferry Road Church. He was equally excited about that. He made a huge impact immediately. He worked tirelessly for so many here. He loved this church and its focus of offering hope through the love of Jesus. He was all in. We had great plans. It was awesome having him with us every day.
God had other plans. On February 1, 2026 we had lunch together after church. He told me he was sick and needed to see a doctor the next day. On February 6 they found a mass on his liver. Twenty-eight days later on March 6 God called him home. We are all still stunned but rest in knowing that he is in Paradise with The One he loved most.
I feel like I could write a book about him. He has been one of the most influential people in my 75 years on earth. Mark Robbins was one of the most remarkable saints I have ever known. His life is a trophy to God’s amazing grace. Thank you Jesus for Mark Robbins.
