In Memory of Mark Collins
In Memory of Mark Collins
Mark Collins
Spouse: Kazuko Collins
Birthdate: August 30, 1965
Ascension: March 4, 2022
Seonghwa Ceremony: March 10, 2022
Mark was born in Virginia but spent most of his youth in Georgia. In 2004, he worked for a trucking company teaching new truck drivers how to drive efficiently and safely. One day, a new driver joined him: Bornface Mubuso. Although Mark’s parents were strong Christians, Mark was inconsistent in his search for God. Eventually, he felt the need to join a church. He felt church was an opportunity to recharge his spirit.
“When Bornface entered my truck for his driving lesson, I asked him if he knew of a good church in Atlanta. Bornface invited me to attend the Atlanta Family Church with him. There was a friendly atmosphere and a church leadership of diverse cultures and nations.”
Mark joined the Unification Church because it met his desires. He wanted a church community where he could recharge his faith and where he could meet a good woman who believed in the sanctity of marriage and family.
In 2005, he went to Korea where he was matched to Kazuko by Rev. Moon. They were Blessed in marriage that same year. He and his wife decided to live in Japan. They stayed there for 12 years. Mark shared that it was difficult at first to learn each other’s language. But they learned to love one another. When the couple lived together with Kazuko’s mother, Mark helped Kazuko’s sick mother very lovingly.
In 2018, he moved back to America. Kazuko had stayed behind in Japan, while Mark earned enough money to bring her to America. But, in August 2021, Mark learned that he had stage 4 cancer.
He and Kazuko decided they would unite strongly to defeat the disease. He said, “When we act as one, our unity makes us stronger, and we can overcome many difficulties. I want to share with others what we have learned on this journey. With God’s help and a loving relationship with your spouse, you can live longer. With faith in God and a strong supportive relationship with your spouse, you determine to live as long as possible for your spouse.”
Many people who met Mark and Kazuko commented on their loving relationship. Even nurses in the hospice center were inspired by them.
Mark Collins passed into the spiritual world on March 4, 2022 at 4:30 AM in Atlanta Georgia after battling stomach cancer. His Seongwha Ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at Georgia True Family Community Center, 3060 Bouldercrest Rd. Ellenwood, GA 30294.
Mark is survived by his loving wife, Kazuko, his elder brother Lee, and his younger sister, Nicole.
Despite having stage four cancer, he had a strong desire to encourage others who are in similar circumstances to overcome obstacles and persevere to win victory for God and True Parents. Pastor Luke Higuchi at Mark’s request helped him create videos of the story of his journey.
Video in English: https://youtu.be/J6rcqESa1
B0 Video in Japanese: https://youtu.be/1d0ikgeCIto
We are raising funds through GoFund Me for Mark’s Seonghwa related expenses and for his wife, Kazuko who sacrificed her job and living situation in Japan to come to America. https://gofund.me/dcce23c5
Seonghwa Ceremony
Date: March 10, 2022 at 9:30 AM (viewing starts at 8:30 AM)
Location: Georgia True Family Community Center (3060 Bouldercrest Rd. Ellenwood, GA 30294)
The ceremony can be watched on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9639637000
