MGR Ministries began with Mark and Gretchen Rush.

Mark and Gretchen were married on September 12, 1987. The first 7 years of their marriage they both served in their local church until Mark was called into ministry. Gretchen always knew that she would marry someone in ministry because she loved it so much, and she found that with Mark.

Mark served in church work for over 25 years. During that time, Gretchen stayed home with their 3 daughters and served in several capacities in their church.

After living and serving in California for years, God called them back to Texas and out of their local church to go into marriage ministry with Gretchen’s family. For 6 years, Mark and Gretchen were passionate about helping people build strong marriages and giving tools to help people through life’s trials. Together they helped save and restore many marriages.

Unexpectedly, in October 2018, Mark was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a cancer of the brain. Their world was completely rocked. After 2 ½ years of battling this disease, Mark lost his battle with glioblastoma on April 8, 2021.

Gretchen knew after Mark passed that God had something for her. But what? She knew what she needed and it was hard to find. She needed to connect with other women who were in the same situation. So began a season of prayer and searching to find out what God had. That ministry is Ashes Into Beauty and it is for those who are widows.