Mark Burns

John Mark Burns is an American evangelical minister, televangelist, and politician. He serves as the pastor of Harvest Praise & Worship Center in South Carolina and co-founded the NOW Television Network, where he acts as CEO. Burns became an early and vocal supporter of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, earning the label "Trump's Top Pastor" from Time Magazine. He has served as an informal spiritual advisor to President Trump and describes himself as a Spiritual Diplomat. His political runs for Congress have been unsuccessful, but he remains a prominent voice at the intersection of faith and conservative politics. As of 2026, Burns continues to lead his church, operate his network, and engage in political commentary. [edit]

Mark Burns was born on September 21, 1979, in Anderson, South Carolina, and grew up in the Upstate region. Raised in a Christian household, his path toward ministry was set early. He founded Harvest Praise & Worship Center in South Carolina, which became the foundation of his religious career. Burns built his following through energetic sermons and a media-savvy approach, eventually co-founding the NOW Television Network to extend his reach beyond his local congregation. His early years were marked by a strong commitment to spreading his message through both pulpit and broadcast, setting the stage for his later national prominence. [edit]

Burns's breakthrough came with his early and vocal support of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election. This alignment brought him national attention, with Time Magazine labeling him "Donald Trump's Top Pastor." He joined the board of Pastors for Trump in 2023 and has served as an informal spiritual advisor to the president. His political campaigns for South Carolina's 4th district in 2018 and 2022, and the 3rd district in 2024, were unsuccessful. In May 2026, he defended a golden statue of Donald Trump against "golden calf" criticisms, and later that month gave an exclusive interview to the Kyiv Post about U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine. [edit]

Burns presents himself as a bridge between evangelical Christianity and Trump-era conservative politics. His public image is defined by his dual roles as pastor and political figure. He describes himself as a "Spiritual Diplomat," positioning his work as international faith-based diplomacy. His media presence is characterized by energetic, media-savvy preaching combined with staunch political advocacy. The press covers him primarily through the lens of the religious right's relationship with Trump, with Time Magazine notably branding him "Trump's Top Pastor." [edit]

John Mark Burns commands a distinct sphere of influence where evangelical ministry intersects with conservative political advocacy, though his audience operates as a constituency rather than a traditional fandom. There is no formal or unofficial name for his supporters; his base consists of political and religious constituents who engage through campaign activities and church programming rather than organized fan clubs or ritualistic celebrations. While he maintains a significant social media presence and has cultivated a dedicated following through the NOW Television Network, no records exist of fan-funded projects, birthday billboards, or chart pushes initiated by his audience. The concept of legendary viral moments does not apply to him in the manner of pop culture icons; instead, his public narrative is defined by high-profile controversies, such as the dedication of a golden statue of Donald Trump which sparked debate over the line between tribute and idolatry. This event, alongside his role as a spiritual advisor to former President Trump, solidified his position as a polarizing figure within the religious right. His fame is further contextualized by his electoral history and his self-styled title of Spiritual Diplomat, positioning him as an international envoy for faith-based politics. Despite lacking a moniker for his fanbase, his reach extends globally through digital platforms and international interviews. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, Mark Burns is currently the 93rd most famous person in Pastors, a placement reflecting his substantial visibility within his specific industry sector.[edit]

Mark Burns prominently features his Time Magazine label in his social media bios, using it as a credential. He founded an organization called Spiritual Diplomats, positioning himself as a faith-based international envoy. Despite three electoral losses, he has remained a visible figure at the intersection of faith and conservative politics. His media footprint is primarily defined by his own network's programming rather than mainstream media appearances, though the Kyiv Post interview and statue controversy brought him international attention in 2026. A notable incident involving the televangelist occurred when he defended the dedication of a golden statue of Donald Trump, which critics labeled as golden calf worship. Burns argued that the tribute was not idolatry but a recognition of the President's legacy, occasionally referring to the figure as Don Colossus. This event generated significant controversy and debate without forming a cult-like legend, serving instead as a flashpoint for discussions on religion and politics.[edit]

Mark Burns is married and has children, though specific details about his wife and family are not extensively documented in public sources. His full name includes "Sr.," indicating he has at least one son who shares his name. His family life has remained largely private compared to his public ministry and political activities. [edit]

Mark Burns is closely associated with Donald Trump, serving as his spiritual advisor and being labeled "Trump's Top Pastor" by Time Magazine. He is also connected to the organization Pastors for Trump, whose board he joined in 2023. [edit]

Mark Burns is married, though his wife's name and details are not publicly documented. He goes by "Mark Burns Sr.," indicating he has a son sharing his name. There is no publicly documented dating history, relationship timeline, divorce, or separation information available in credible sources. As of 2026, he is married based on available information. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Mark Burns's net worth at N/A. His income sources include his pastoral role at Harvest Praise & Worship Center, leadership of the NOW Television Network, and political campaigning activities. Without verifiable financial data, an accurate assessment of his wealth is not possible.[edit]