18 Jan 2019, 16:33Barbara Sommers
Adventist Church Member Dr Mark Prince Receives OBE From Queen
'What is Truth?'. On Sabbath 17 November 2018, Dr Mark Prince, preached in his own unique, and dynamic way to a packed church. Wood Green had never before witnessed so many visiting friends joining its regular members for worship on a Sabbath morning. God has surely used the personal tragedy in Mark's life as a launching pad for his ministry, enabling him to connect and reach out to the youth and vulnerable members of the Haringey community and beyond in his anti-knife crime counselling ministry at such a time like this.
Dr Prince has now been recognised as an OBE in this year's 2019 Queen's New Year's Honours for his 'anti-knife crime' campaign to help the youth of Haringey and other boroughs, reaching a larger audience on the social media platform. He uses holy scriptures and his experiences in the boxing ring to connect with youngsters and showing that there is another way to live life. Mark also has written an inspirational book, The Prince of Peace, highlighting his journey from the boxer to doctor, with God directing his path.
We at Wood Green Seventh-day Adventist church are proud and praise God for Mark's achievements and pray that God will continue to use him in his outreach programme.
About Mark Prince
Homeless at 15, drugs and alcohol became an intricate part of his life, two children, by 21 and on the road to imprisonment after a life of criminal activity, Mark decided to make a drastic U-turn. He began a late start in the sport of boxing which is considered one of the toughest sports in the world.
He trained hard with focus and discipline and after a short and successful amateur career with 1 loss in 9 fights beating some of Britain's best amateurs in the process, he turned professional with Hall of Fame promoter, Frank Warren in 1993. By 1997 he had become No. 1 light-heavyweight in Britain and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) No. 1 contender in the world by 1998 which earned him a shot at the world title. A terrible knee injury in 2000 ended a promising career with 19 wins, 1 loss and 15 knockouts.
In 2006 he suffered another tragedy; his 15-year-old son, a talented footballer on the books with Queens Park Rangers was stabbed in the heart outside his school gates trying to peaceably break up a fight. Kiyan's murder marked the beginning of a journey which began with him having to defeat anger and revenge, 2 of his toughest life opponents.
He came out victorious, by using forgiveness and a commitment to use Kiyan's legacy to inspire, challenge and educate the youth embroiled in the downward spiral of urban violence. The Kiyan Prince Foundation gives Mark a sense of purpose and direction in life.
It is a project that has seen Mark collaborate with ITV to create a powerful documentary called Put the Knives and Guns Down screened on ITV London Tonight Special. Mark was on the panel for the News of The World's Save Our Streets campaign and also a guest speaker at both the National Black Crown Prosecutors Association Annual Conference, and the National Governors Prison Association Annual Conference. He was also a speaker at the Metropolitan Police Operation Trident Programme.
Watch an inspiring video message from Dr Mark Prince here.
Read a news report on Dr Mark Prince receiving the OBE award here.
Listen to an Adventist Radio London interview with Dr Mark Prince by Mike Johnson and Cathy Boldeau here.
'What is Truth?'. On Sabbath 17 November 2018, Dr Mark Prince, preached in his own unique, and dynamic way to a packed church. Wood Green had never before witnessed so many visiting friends joining its regular members for worship on a Sabbath morning. God has surely used the personal tragedy in Mark's life as a launching pad for his ministry, enabling him to connect and reach out to the youth and vulnerable members of the Haringey community and beyond in his anti-knife crime counselling ministry at such a time like this.
Dr Prince has now been recognised as an OBE in this year's 2019 Queen's New Year's Honours for his 'anti-knife crime' campaign to help the youth of Haringey and other boroughs, reaching a larger audience on the social media platform. He uses holy scriptures and his experiences in the boxing ring to connect with youngsters and showing that there is another way to live life. Mark also has written an inspirational book, The Prince of Peace, highlighting his journey from the boxer to doctor, with God directing his path.
We at Wood Green Seventh-day Adventist church are proud and praise God for Mark's achievements and pray that God will continue to use him in his outreach programme.
About Mark Prince
Homeless at 15, drugs and alcohol became an intricate part of his life, two children, by 21 and on the road to imprisonment after a life of criminal activity, Mark decided to make a drastic U-turn. He began a late start in the sport of boxing which is considered one of the toughest sports in the world.
He trained hard with focus and discipline and after a short and successful amateur career with 1 loss in 9 fights beating some of Britain's best amateurs in the process, he turned professional with Hall of Fame promoter, Frank Warren in 1993. By 1997 he had become No. 1 light-heavyweight in Britain and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) No. 1 contender in the world by 1998 which earned him a shot at the world title. A terrible knee injury in 2000 ended a promising career with 19 wins, 1 loss and 15 knockouts.
In 2006 he suffered another tragedy; his 15-year-old son, a talented footballer on the books with Queens Park Rangers was stabbed in the heart outside his school gates trying to peaceably break up a fight. Kiyan's murder marked the beginning of a journey which began with him having to defeat anger and revenge, 2 of his toughest life opponents.
He came out victorious, by using forgiveness and a commitment to use Kiyan's legacy to inspire, challenge and educate the youth embroiled in the downward spiral of urban violence. The Kiyan Prince Foundation gives Mark a sense of purpose and direction in life.
It is a project that has seen Mark collaborate with ITV to create a powerful documentary called Put the Knives and Guns Down screened on ITV London Tonight Special. Mark was on the panel for the News of The World's Save Our Streets campaign and also a guest speaker at both the National Black Crown Prosecutors Association Annual Conference, and the National Governors Prison Association Annual Conference. He was also a speaker at the Metropolitan Police Operation Trident Programme.
Watch an inspiring video message from Dr Mark Prince here.
Read a news report on Dr Mark Prince receiving the OBE award here.
Listen to an Adventist Radio London interview with Dr Mark Prince by Mike Johnson and Cathy Boldeau here.
