The Rev. Dr. Marcus (Marc) L. Burr, Jr

The Rev. Dr. Marcus (Marc) L. Burr, Jr., has always been a SMALL CHURCH PASTOR by the direction "of our Good Lord, with His guidance and inspiration." Dr. Burr was ordained by the Presbytery of Lackawanna in northeastern Pennsylvania, and every Sunday he traveled 70 miles for worship services to four Pioneer Parish churches at Bethany, Dyberry, Rileyville, and Cold Spring.

Late in 1954 he became Pastor of the Chillisquaque Presbyterian Parish at Potts Grove and Mooresburg, PA. Under his leadership, God let these two mission churches become supportive of each other and grow together for a "yoked parish", no longer needing aid from the Nation Missions Board. Eventually they were able to build a beautiful new church in Mooresburg and dedicate it to the Glory of God, debt free! God truly Blessed Pastor Burr and his flock throughout these struggles - they experienced great joy and fellowship as faith and trust bloomed.

From there the Burrs moved to Kayenta, Arizona, to work under the Board of National Missions, UPUSA. On the Navajo Reservation, Marc led a team of lay workers to evangelize a large area, in addition to leading the local church. His parish included about 600 students in two Navajo Boarding Schools where they held classes each week as well as all those living in the small community and attending public school. He spent many hours preparing the lay workers to understand the Bible lesson and how to present it to others. The Navajos loved to sing their faith, a most effective experience to witness.

On Sept. 1, 1966, he arrived in Deming, NM to become the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served for 22 years. Here more than half of his congregation were "older adults". Over the years he devised ways to let them know they were needed and loved. He started recording the worship services on cassettes which were taken to the ill and shut-ins. Some of the physical improvements were: the ramp added over the steps at the church to help handicapped and others for a better approach to the sanctuary; plastic coated aluminum siding on the outside of church and the manse buildings; extending the sanctuary 13 feet into Memorial Hall.

During these years, with prayerful support of the congregation, he worked for and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Seminary. His major project was "Energizing a Congregation for Development of Persons Caring." This effort proved true and was so effective that the incoming minister following Marc exclaimed: " . . . this is the most caring, loving church I have ever seen or been a part of .".

Dr. Burr started at the Kirk of the Keys, Marathon, FL in January 1989. With spiritual leadership, enthusiasm and support, Kirk members are involved in Sunday School classes, Bible Study groups, Adult Discussion Group, an 8 a.m. service in addition to regular worship at 11 a.m., a monthly newsletter, family night dinners, "5th Sunday" hymn-sings with lunch following and Easter morning breakfast between the services. One of the Kirk Elders said: "We are not only proud of him, but we are also grateful." May 1996 he received the "Small Church Pastor of the Year in Florida for 1995-1996 (award) by the Association of Smaller Congregations. The letter to him stated: "In particular, we were impressed by the extensive work you are doing adding creative new programs for your church and community, especially in encouraging people to study the word of God."

On July 1st, 1997 the Presbytery of Tropical Florida gave Dr. Burr "Honorable Retirement" after 44 years as Pastor in the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. Also they made him "Pastor Emeritus" of the Kirk of the Keys.

He and his wife, Margaret (Maggie) have returned to New Mexico and live in Las Cruces. They both are involved in the activities at First Presbyterian Church and community service. On April 25, 1998 the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca approved Dr. Burr as Parish Associate at First Church, Las Cruces where he has been one of the leaders for the "Kerygma: Discovering the Bible" classes.

In his spare time, he has been doing some gardening, woodworking and learning how to use a computer and e-mail (mburr@zianet.com).

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Last update 2006-12-08 22:50:55