Mark Gregston

Mark Gregston, LCCA, is the Founder and Executive Director of Heartlight Ministries (http://www.heartlightministries.org), a residential counseling opportunity for struggling adolescents, which is located in East Texas.

Mark began his work with teens 35 years ago as a youth minister in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His involvement also with Young Life moved him to open his home to work with teens who were struggling through crisis family problems, and which sparked the idea for larger residential programs for teens.

During the 80's Mark helped start the residential program for teens at Kanakuk Kamps in Branson, Missouri. Then, in 1989, Mark and his wife Jan moved to East Texas where they started a residential program for teens in Longview that they named Heartlight. Built from ground up in modern log cabin architecture, the residential program is located on 100 beautiful acres in the Piney Woods region of East Texas, about 150 miles east of Dallas.

The Heartlight campus houses 50 teenagers for 9-12 months at a time. It is dedicated to providing counseling and mentoring to bring about needed behavioral changes for troubled teens from Christian families. Heartlight has helped several thousand of families work through difficult situations with their teenager, and has helped the teenagers themselves have more positive motivations in life than they once had.

In recent years, Mark and Jan's ministry has expanded beyond the campus of Heartlight as well, to share their lives and wisdom through writing, radio, the Internet, church seminars, books, retreats, and speaking engagements.

Mark and Jan have two grown children, Adam and Melissa (see Melissa and her husband Blake below), and two grandchildren.


What Others Say About the Gregstons...

“Mark Gregston’s insight is the calm before, during, and after the storm. To parents of teenagers, he is the voice of hope and optimism.” Lee & Lynn – Corinth, TX

“Mark Gregston is one of the most down-to-earth counselors we have ever encountered. He brings a perfect blend of book knowledge and real — life experience dealing with teens, one-on-one basis. This experience has forever changed the relationship shared between our daughter and my wife and me.” Jonathan – Wantagh, NY

"I’m convinced that if it had not been for Mark Gregston, our daughter would not be alive today. Mark not only taught our daughter how to live upright, he also taught my wife and me the skills we needed for change within our home.” Kevin – Glen Ellyn, IL

"When no one else on earth seemed to understand what parents are going through. Mark conveys in earnest that he is willing to walk with you, and there is hope.” Mike – Tulsa, OK

“What makes Mark different than the other specialists who tried to help our son is his practical experience, love, commitment, and most importantly, his years of living and working with sad, struggling with kids who have needs beyond the capabilities of their parents. He has a God-given gift to see into the hearts of kids who are hurting.” Cindy – Abilene, TX

“Mark’s logical approach to behavioral issues made addressing and correcting them rewarding and relatively simple. He can adapt to any individual’s problem, and apply an efficient solution. It’s his gift.” Ryan – Costa Mesa, CA

“Mark Gregston provided healing and hope for our daughter and our entire family when despair appeared to be all that was left,” Jim – Fort Worth, TX

“For over 30 years, Mark Gregston has ‘got it’ when it comes to understanding teens. Teens love Mark. I’ve seen it in hundreds of teen faces. They know he understands who they are, where they hurt. I can’t think of a better person to help me understand my own teenagers.” Elliott – Los Angeles, CA

Mark's books and tapes: http://www.heartlightresources.com
Mark's radio programs: http://www.parentingtodaysteens.org
Mark's residential program: http://www.heartlightministries.org