When people think of mission fields, Fantastic Caverns near Springfield probably is not the first place that comes to mind. However, Mark Alexander, a retired Assembly of God missionary, finds it a good place to meet people and share the gospel.
In 2014, when Alexander and his wife Vickie returned from Togo, West Africa, to care for Vickie’s aging mother, they took her on a tour of the caverns. Alexander was intrigued, immediately sensing that the caves would be a great place to meet and minister to people. “I thought it was an interesting idea and set it on the back burner,” he told “AG News.”
Mark and Julie. Courtesy photo.
In 2021, Mark and Vickie officially retired, having spent 27 years building tabernacles, drilling wells, furthering biblical education, and much more in South Africa and Togo. In January 2022, Alexander began employment at Fantastic Caverns.
“I really enjoy visiting with people and enhancing their time in the cave,” he said. “Being in missions and experiencing itineration are gifts that prepared me to connect with people from everywhere.”
Vickie, gifted with hospitality and a kind spirit, said, “There is a lot of life and service to find and give after formal missions and ministry. The Lord can use anything and everything we’ve done over the years to help us connect and interact with others.”
In addition to locals and those from around the United States Alexander meets with busloads of tourists from France, Germany, Russia, Poland, Great Britain and more.
“The cave is a good place for me,” he said. “I wanted to be in the secular world and am refreshed by working with all kinds of people. I can share my faith at work, which is done in two ways: the first is actually living it out, and the second is truly caring about others.”
He has been able to build friendships with those of many walks and persuasions. He knows that, just as those he and Vickie encountered in their decades of formal missionary service, the most difficult and complex individuals are those who are hurting and need Christlike love the most. “I have found that if you just ask questions, people will tell you,” he said “It is very easy to talk.”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice