OUR STAFF
OUR FAITHFUL TEAM
![Image](https://cedarhillsneo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/mark-donna-4.jpg)
Pictured Above: Mark and his wife, Donna
Mark J. Merlihan
Executive Director
Pastor Mark has had a transformative journey, from overcoming personal struggles to becoming a beacon of hope for others. His career began with a commitment to jail and prison ministry in the early 90s, reflecting his dedication to helping those in difficult circumstances. Pastor Mark met his wife in church and married his bride in 1999. After joining Beyond the Walls Church in Elyria, Ohio, in 2015, he made a significant impact before being commissioned as the Executive Director of Cedar Hills in 2020.
His deep connection to Cedar Hills is rooted in his own experience with addiction and his recovery through Detroit Teen Challenge, a Christian drug and alcohol recovery center which Cedar Hills is modeled after. With over 30 years of freedom from addiction, Pastor Mark continues to contribute to Cedar Hills' mission alongside a supervised board of local business owners. His personal and professional journey underscores a profound commitment to recovery, faith, and service.