Dr. Mark A. McConnell was born on February 7, 1963, and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, by devoted Christian parents. From a young age, his faith was central to his life, accepting Christ at the tender age of five. Dr. McConnell’s foundational spiritual upbringing was nurtured at Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the guidance of Dr. C.L. Bachus.
He pursued higher education with a commitment to his calling, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Religion and Philosophy from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, in 1986. He continued his theological education, receiving a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1989 and completing a Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) in May 2002.
Dr. McConnell has been blessed with a beautiful family. He married Paris McConnell, his steadfast partner and source of strength, on September 2, 1989. Together, they have three sons—Moses, Caleb, and Matthew—and are proud grandparents to Jayden and Jordan McConnell.
Answering the call to preach, Dr. McConnell delivered his first sermon in May 1984 and was ordained in August 1985. His pastoral journey has included leading three congregations: Southside First Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri; Prince of Peace Baptist Church in Peoria, Illinois; and currently, New Cornerstone Baptist Church in Peoria, Illinois. His service extends beyond the pulpit, having served two terms as Moderator of the Central Illinois Baptist District Association in Peoria, Illinois. His involvement with the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois spans over 31 years, during which he has held significant positions, including 2nd Vice President of both the Baptist General Congress of Christian Education and the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois.
Dr. McConnell’s dedication and unwavering commitment have led to his current role as President of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois. His passion for this esteemed body is evident in his consistent participation, having never missed a board meeting, annual session, or Congress of Christian Education. He firmly believes that God has positioned him to lead and serve, fostering unity and growth within the convention.
Dr. McConnell’s vision is clear: to uphold and advance the legacy of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, continuing its history as a leading force among state conventions. Through dedication and collective effort, he is confident that this convention will remain a beacon of leadership, faith, and service.
About Me.
Beating Againis the story of what happens after everything stops. During what was expected to be a routine medical procedure, Dr. Mark A. McConnell's heart stopped-twice. For minutes at a time, there was no pulse. Doctors exhausted their options. Family members were asked to prepare for the unthinkable. And yet, against medical expectation, his heart began to beat again.
But survival was only the beginning.
In this deeply honest memoir, McConnell explores not just how he lived, but how returning from the edge of death reshaped his faith, his calling, and his understanding of purpose. Moving between hospital rooms, quiet recoveries, family conversations, and moments of spiritual reckoning, Beating Again invites readers into the space between silence and breath-where fear, faith, and hope meet.
Written with pastoral wisdom and literary restraint, this book is not about triumph over death, but about what it means to live differently when life is given back. For anyone who has faced illness, uncertainty, or the question of whether their story is finished, Beating Again offers a powerful reminder: even when everything stops, God is still at work.