Obituary of Mark Hamilton Swallow

Mark Hamilton Swallow went home to Jesus on Friday, September 15, 2017. Mark was a man who truly loved Jesus. He gave up his comfortable life, full-time salaried paying job to do as the Lord called him to do. He modeled living for Jesus to the max. Mark heard as a young child about “the Lord” from his mother. But it wasn’t until Pierre and Rochelle at his job in Connecticut consistently and lovingly talked to him about Jesus and told him that Jesus loved him that he decided to see what Jesus was all about. Another man named Larry gave Mark a bible. On October 31, 1992 Mark gave his life to Jesus. And there was no turning back! Mark was passionate about everything he did. He shared Jesus in word and deed with his friends and family up north as well as his community here in Florida. Decades ago Mark overcame a 24 year drug addiction and this October would have been clean for 24 years. This addiction fueled his passion for helping addicted men and women. Mark moved to Florida in 1996. In 1997 he began walking the streets in Melbourne with his bible praying for the community. From 1998 – 2004 he ministered at Resurrection Ranch to men and women with addictions. In 2004-2006 he ministered to the inmates at the DOC Work Camp in Sharpes, Florida. Mark facilitated a weekly recovery meeting, for all types of addictions, in Titusville from 2006 – 2012. Mark also provided bible study and counseling at the Brevard County Jail Complex. During the last seven years, Mark built relationships with the Public Defender’s office, the State Attorney’s office, the Judiciary and probation officers in Brevard County. He was the founder and President of the Cave of Adullam Ministry Inc., a non-profit dedicated to helping those in debt, in distress, and discontented find Jesus and sobriety. His passion was to help those addicted to drugs, alcohol, and life controlling issues. He placed 500+ men and women into drug and alcohol regeneration programs in Florida. He would interview inmates, speak with the attorneys, arrange for phone interviews and applications, and testify in court. If the inmate was sentenced into treatment he would pick the inmate up at the jail, take them to probation in Brevard, to the probation office in the county of the treatment facility and then onto the sheriff’s office in that county to register. Following those reporting procedures, he would then take the defendant to the treatment facility. It took approximately 4- 8 hours to complete the transportation process often keeping him away from home until late at night. Mark firmly believed that God would provide and he would want you to know that God did indeed provide for everything the ministry needed and more. Mark spent time with the families of his clients encouraging them, helping them and listening to their broken hearts. He was privy to the most heartbreaking failures and the most outrageous, life-changing, God-glorifying successes. Each had a profound effect on his life. Mark would help anyone and everyone in need; friends, neighbors, and complete strangers. He served with an unending passion to project the love of Jesus to all people. In honor of all the people he helped, “Go fight the good fight, share the Gospel, and keep your heart open to the most amazing, life giving relationship you can have, with Jesus”. In remembrance of those who have died in the fight of their lives, “we are all now safely home in the loving arms of Jesus”. Arrangements entrusted to Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, Melbourne, FL  (321) 724-2222. A service glorifying God and remembering Mark will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 10 : 00 AM, at Suntree United Methodist Church 7400 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940. A reception will be held immediately following the service in the dining room. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following treatment facilities: Disciples of Christ Ranch: DC is a place separated from the world, where young men have an organized opportunity to meet Jesus Christ. PO Box 1791 Okeechobee Fl. 34973 Faith Farm Ministries: Restoring hope, one life at a time. 7595 NE 128th Ave, Okeechobee, FL 34972 Fresh Start Ministries: Helping substance abusers in a faith-based residential recovery program. www.FreshStartMinistries.com, or by mail, 4436 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804. Please call for information 407 293-3822. Recovery & Restoration through Christ.