Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, named one of the Most Innovative and Influential Churches in America by Outreach magazine in 2008.  A popular and prolific blogger, Mark is the author of the best-selling book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.  His latest release, the acclaimed Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God, examines the “cages” of responsibility, routine, assumptions, guilt, failure, fear and other hindrances to experiencing the exhilaration of the relationship God designed between Himself and His people.

One church with eight services in four locations, NCC is focused on reaching emerging generations; more than 70 percent of NCCers are single twenty-somethings. NCC meets in movie theaters and metro stops throughout the DC area.  NCC also owns and operates the largest coffeehouse on Capitol Hill called Ebenezers. In 2008, it was recognized as the number one coffeehouse in the metro DC area by AOL CityGuide. 

Mark first attended the University of Chicago on a basketball scholarship and majored in pre-law; after a prayer walk through a cow pasture in 1989, he felt called to full-time ministry. Mark currently holds two master’s degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago, IL.  A warm and humble servant of Christ, Mark lives to refocus the timid believer, encouraging them to embrace the Christian life as the universe’s greatest adventure. His speaking topics reflect his passion and include “Chase the Lion”, “Wild Goose Chase” and special themes for leadership and men’s retreats.

"Mark Batterson is down-to-earth and humble–yet constantly pushes me to grow. I follow him as a leader, admire him as an innovator, and love him as a friend. Mark has become one of the most important voices for a new generation. Anything he touches changes lives."  - Pastor of LifeChurch.tv

"As a leader and teacher, Mark Batterson brings imagination, energy, and insight. Mark’s genuine warmth and sincerity spill over into his communication, combining an intense love for his community with a passionate desire to see them living the life God dreams for them. I appreciate his willingness to take bold risks and go to extraordinary lengths to reach our culture with a message that is truly relevant."  - Senior Pastor, Fellowship Church