Dr. Mark Vander Meer has been a pastor for over 20 years, served in two churches, and has been a professor for over 15 years. Dr. Vander Meer has been the Associate Pastor at New Community Church for the past 23 years and is the founder and Executive Director of Community Recovery International, a non-profit organization that he founded in 2002. Community Recovery reaches out to the local community by offering a free meal, recovery worship, and groups every Friday night at New Community Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The non-profit also helps those who are homeless, unemployed, fresh out of prison as well as other life issues. Dr. Vander Meer and his team also created Life-Work Learning, Community Recovery's recovery ministry, and a leadership training platform. On it, Dr. Vander Meer leads online worship segments, and speaks on a weekly podcast, Check UP! with Dr. Mark. Life Work Learning also provides online courses, coaching, and leadership training to church leaders worldwide offered on their crirecovery.online.church platform.    

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Community Recovery International’s model of ministry is now established in India and Kenya respectively. Dr. Vander Meer also founded and directs Community Recovery International Bangladesh, an international non-government organization that provides support for small business creation and literacy education for adults and children in Bangladesh as well as church planting reaching over 1,000 people weekly.

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As a professor, Dr. Vander Meer has taught undergraduate courses at the University of Phoenix, Spring Arbor University, and Compass College of Cinematic Arts where he also assumed the role of Compass College's Director of Education. 

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Dr. Vander Meer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin College; his Masters's degree in Religious Education from Trinity International University; his Doctor of Ministry degree from Bethel University in St. Paul Minnesota and is a Ph.D. student at Columbia International University's Biblical Seminary. He resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan is married to his wife Mary and has two adult sons and one daughter-in-law.