A man of great faith, Mark’s motivation to prominently enter the Elvis Tribute Artist world, is led by a deep and powerful conviction.  Three days after they were wed, Mark’s bride, Lisa, was diagnosed with stage iv lung cancer. A terminal sentence the couple have relied on their faith and trust in God to navigate this journey.  One day upon this path Mark asked Lisa what she would like to do in the time the Lord allowed them to share together. Mark offered her vacations, but Lisa stated that she always wanted to see Mark sing the music of Elvis in a jumpsuit like he did in high school. Mark then began working to trim his weight down from over 385 to 215 pounds in about a year and put on the show of a lifetime. The show was a sell out and requests began pouring in for Mark to perform Elvis Tributes in other venues.

All the proceeds from the concerts went to help Lisa’s medical fund.

Each Christmas Mark would ask Lisa what she wanted for Christmas.  She would always say that she wanted farm animals to be sent to Africa.  The best look anyone could ever see was on Christmas morning Lisa would open a box with a card in it saying that cows, chickens, goats, rabbits and lambs were donated in her name.  Tears would be running down her eyes.  She was an amazing woman.

One year Mark asked and she said she wanted a well in Africa.  She always had such a heart for people and her presence was always a reminder how great Heaven must be.  Mark told her he’d investigate the projects.  Narrowing down the options, as Lisa wanted a group that brought the Word of God and helped the people.   The projects came down to needing between $15,000 to have a freshwater well dug in Africa.   Mark told her he would start the project and promise her that we would see it through.

On January 7, 2020, Lisa Joy (Genco) Shelton transitioned through Heaven’s Glory.  The world grew ever so dimmer at that time.  Within two months, the Corona Virus was just beginning to shut down the world.  In less than thirty days, isolation protocols were required and no one knew what was going on.  The world forever changed. 

Mark was singing on Facebook Live to bring life into people’s homes.  As Mark puts it, “I knew people were alone, possibly afraid, certainly uncertain, and isolation can be difficult.  Facebook Live concerts was a way to connect the people to the people and help them not feel alone and hopefully hear some good songs and encouraging words.”

Mark sang a minimum of 3 times a week, every week for nearly three years in the same manner.  Tuesday nights were “any type of music” concerts; Friday nights were all Elvis Nights; and Sundays at 10 a.m. were the Gospel concerts.  At the height of the isolation ten thousand and more people around the world were watching Mark’s performances on Facebook Live.  Mark bore his grief in front of the world while singing his songs to them as the shelves behind him held photographs and memories of his beloved bride.

Mark still had a promise to keep to Lisa and the world had shut down.  There were no concert halls open, no gathering place, no musical or artistic or spiritual gatherings in public.  And someone recommended that Mark let Lisa’s wish be known to the Facebook Live Community.   Mark took their advice and within 6 months over $20,000 was raised!  Mark contacted LifeWater International and the organization began to dig a Waterwell in Uganda, Africa for a community of 312.  For the Lifewater article follow this link:  https://lifewater.org/blog/this-is-a-story-of-gods-faithfulness/

Even more a blessing is that along with a water well, the donation also led to a school and a church being built in the community as well as educational services and training on hygiene, water usage, and maintenance of the well itself.  Additional blessings came as other groups began to purchase farm animals for Africa in Lisa’s name and memory!

We intend to continue Lisa’s dream and have partnered more deeply with Lifewater to continue raising money and awareness.  If you would like to donate to the next well, please follow the following link.  All the proceeds will go for the next water well in honor and memory of Lisa Joy Shelton  ~  Thank you and God bless~