About Mark Aarssen
Mark Aarssen was born and raised in Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada. He is the second of five children born to Ray and Janice Aarssen. Mark attended Wallaceburg District Secondary School and graduated as valedictorian in 1976. He studied Law & Security Administration at Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario and at Fanshawe College in London Ontario. Mark graduated from the Ontario Police College with Basic Training and Advanced Training diplomas. He achieved this accomplishment despite being diagnosed with dyslexia in grade four. Therapy helped, but it was not a cure. Completing his first book, An Onion Under Glass, was a personal milestone considering his learning disability. Automated spell check and a professional editor were invaluable. |
Mark married Francine (Beauvais) in 1982, and they have two children, Audrey and Joshua. Mark and Francine have enjoyed 40 years of marriage and have four grandchildren, Summer, Wolfe, Edie, and Oliver. Mark served three different police chiefs with the Wallaceburg Police Force. He was recognized by all of them with Official Commendations. He received the Mayor's Service Award from Mayor Jeff Wesley of Wallaceburg.
For thirteen years, Mark was the pastor at New St. Andrews Presbyterian Church near Chatham. Mark studied courses at Knox College, University of Toronto, Theological College in the Masters of Divinity stream, as well as Tyndale Seminary, Toronto. Mark previously wrote a weekly column in the Wallaceburg Courier Press for five years, carried by Quebecor Media. He has posted hundreds of spiritual messages, which tens of thousands of people have viewed at www.sermoncentral.com. An Onion Under Glass is Mark's first published book about his stories and adventures of when he was in the police force. |