Abbott Breanainn,
The Right Reverend Mark W. Polson, O.S.P.
Welcome! My name is Mark Polson. I am a Methodist pastor of an independent Methodist congregation in Northeast Oklahoma. My wife, Amy, and I have been married since June of 1996 and have two sons, Ethan and Logan, whom we adopted from South Korea. We have three “fur” babies, Ahsoka (yellow lab mix), Chewie (a three-legged Chiweenie), and our newest member FN-2187, aka “Finn” (a mini German Schnauzer).
My journey towards pastoral ministry began with my father who sensed a calling in his late teens and upon my birth offered his son to serve. I sensed an option for ministry my whole life and in 2007, God “invited” me to pursue Him through pastoral ministry. I attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY and earned my Master of Divinity in 2012.
The Order of St Patrick:
Novitiate Year: (2019)
The initial Novitiate Experience was less about entering into the Novitiate but an invitation to foster the reconstitution of the Order of St Patrick.
Dean of the Novitiate Experience: (2019-2022)
As Dean of the Novitiate Experience, I acted as a guide into the season of discerning the calling into the monastic, contemplative life, as well as your calling within the Order of St Patrick.
Abbott of the Order: (2022-Present)
I was nominated and elected to serve as Abbott of our Order at our 2022 Allhallowtide Retreat. I chose the name Abbott Breanainn (Gaelic for St Brenden the Navigator). As we enter into this new season within our Order, I know that by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, we will reach the destination our Lord Christ Jesus desires for our Order and our personal lives.
Ministry Experience:
Church on the Hill: A Methodist Heritage, Grove, Oklahoma, Senior Pastor
November 1, 2023 – Present
First United Methodist Church of Grove, Senior Pastor
July 1, 2022–October 31, 2023
As Senior Pastor, I provide leadership of the spiritual direction and worship for Traditional and Contemporary worship experiences in a thriving Methodist congregation. Overseeing the life and well-being of its members, staff, and surrounding community.
Idabel First United Methodist Church, Senior Pastor
January 1, 2017–June 30, 2022
As Senior Pastor, I provided spiritual and worship leadership for an active Methodist congregation while serving in leadership positions in the local community and civic organizations.
Christ United Methodist Church of Tulsa, Associate Pastor
June 1, 2012–December 31, 2016
As Associate Pastor, I provided leadership for our Wednesday evening Refuel worship service while also provided leadership for our Mission and Evangelism Committees. I served as the founding Chair of Family Promise of Tulsa County in 2016.
Lexington V.A. Medical Center, Chaplain Intern
January 2012–May 2012
I earned one unit of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) as a chaplain intern in the hospice and palliative care unit and long-term hospital care unit.
Hobbies and Interests:
| When I am not serving my local congregation or the Order of St. Patrick, you can often find me miles from the nearest trailhead and among the trees, streams, and local wildlife here in rural Oklahoma. I enjoy hiking and camping in the Fall and Spring months especially. If time and weather allow, I will remove my shoes and place my feet upon the soil and earth, enjoying the connection with Creation and our Creator. I am also an aspiring photographer, capturing the scenes and moments of life among the fauna and foliage on my outdoor adventures. I enjoy spending time with family and friends. My wife and I are huge movie buffs and are often found at the local movie theater catching up on the latest sci-fi fantasy or Marvel movie. I have recently discovered a love of cooking and am a little obsessive in my care of my cast iron wares. Is it normal to blast 80’s rock or 90’s grunge while cooking? Well, it is awesome. Celtic Christianity has been a long-time interest and George Hunters, The Celtic Way of Evangelism has been extremely formative in my pursuit and calling towards the monastic, contemplative life. As a “near-clinical” extrovert, I look forward to meeting and visiting with you soon. |
The Order of St. Patrick 