Mark is the youngest of six children from a musically gifted family. His mom was a singer of Irish ballads and his dad has the heart of a poet and a love of percussion. His older brother, Matt, is a talented singer songwriter who inspired and gave Mark his first opportunities to perform. The two of them played together for many years doing both cover and original material. In 1991, they auditioned for Dick Clark's USA Music Challenge. Matt went to L.A. and sang Mark's song "Hard Love" in front of a live prime-time t.v. audience.
In senior year of high school Mark attended a Search Retreat Weekend that changed the course of his life. He had been abusing alcohol and drugs, was immersed in other self-destructive behaviors, and soon found himself daydreaming of suicide. He began reading the Bible daily and opened his heart to God's healing and forgiveness. Since then, he has shared his testimony with thousands of people on retreats, conferences, bible studies, and even in Dunkin Donuts! A highlight in this area was leading a thousand or so youth in praise & worship at Six Flags, Great Adventure to kick off the 2009 New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally.
In March of 2009, Mark, as mjlm, (Mark J. L. Mattheiss) recorded his first 3 song cd entitled "Something More" with Dove Award winning producer, Plink Giglio. With the blessing of his spiritual director he is seeking to transition to full time ministry, sharing the Gospel in word, song, and, most importantly, day to day living.
During a talk by renowned author and preacher, Raniero Cantalamessa, Mark was given a picture of the grace of God in his life. He envisioned grace as a treasure of billions of dollars in his pockets. He was struck by the fact that those who don't know God go around as if begging for 50 cents. His goal in life is to die with his pockets empty.