Mark Martin

KPAX-TV @kpaxnews Statewide Noon News Anchor; Multimedia Journalist — Serving Montana! CBS Affiliate and @EWScrippsCo station

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

JOB UPDATE: I'm entering a new season at @kpaxnews and MTN News. 😊 I'm honored to serve Montanans now as the new statewide Noon News anchor. My last day anchoring #Montana This Morning was this past Friday, and here's my heartfelt goodbye to our wonderful morning show viewers!

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

“Stop running from Me.” What a powerful faith testimony— it brought tears to my eyes.

[Byron Donalds @ByronDonalds]

To you, it's just a Cracker Barrel parking lot. To me, it's where I gave my life to Jesus Christ.

I was 21 years old. I was working at the Cracker Barrel in Tallahassee after some of the worst years of my life. I'd made mistakes. Real ones.

I grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, raised by a mom who worked hard and didn't accept excuses. But I made decisions that should have ended my story before it ever really started. By the grace of God, they didn't. But every day, I was carrying them.

One afternoon, a church group came into the restaurant, just back from a revival. I served them their meals like I served any other table. But something happened while I was serving them. I can't fully explain it to you. The Lord spoke to me. He said, “Stop running from Me.”

It knocked me back.

I went to find the table, and they were all gone. I could see through their windows that they were getting on their bus, and I knew deep down that if I let them drive away, I was going to keep running. So I went outside. The last woman, just as she was stepping onto the bus, turned to me and asked, “Are you okay?”

I told her, “No ma’am, I’m not okay.” I told her the Lord was telling me to stop running.

That whole bus emptied out, stood with me in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel in Tallahassee, Florida, and prayed over me right there.

I gave my life to Christ that day. Right there.

I still get emotional about it. Because I know what I was before that moment, and I know what He's done since. He gave me a wife who shares my faith. He gave me three sons. He gave me a career, a community, a calling I never would have dared to ask for. He took a kid from Crown Heights who’d run out of chances and gave him a life that doesn't make sense apart from grace.

People ask me sometimes why I talk about it. Why I bring up the parking lot. Why I don't just keep that part private and let folks see the polished version.

I'll tell you why.

Because there's a young man out there right now — maybe in Tallahassee, maybe in Tampa, maybe in Miami, maybe in a small town in the Panhandle — who thinks his story is already over. Who thinks the mistakes he's made disqualify him from the life he could have had. Who thinks God doesn't want anything to do with somebody like him.

I'm here to tell him: that's a lie.

In life, you're not who you are at the lowest point. You're who you choose to become after.

The Lord met me in a Cracker Barrel parking lot. He'll meet you wherever you are.

You just have to stop running.

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

On @kpaxnews’ Montana This Morning today, results from the #Montana Primary Election! Head to https://t.co/zWJf2g04NC for the latest throughout the day.

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

The 1981 newspaper photo shows my Dad faithfully leading his Ohio elementary school in the annual #MemorialDay parade. One year, my Mom, brother, sister and I (far right in 2nd photo) marched with him. What a #legacy of honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice… ❤️🇺🇸

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

Feeling #lonely? You're not alone. There's an epidemic of #loneliness in the US. Therapist Meagan Locke joined me on @kpaxnews' Montana This Morning with helpful advice on what you can do to help yourself or someone you care about.

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

Therapist Meagan Locke joins me on Monday’s #Montana This Morning to talk about an epidemic of #loneliness. She has helpful advice for those struggling and those wanting to help! @kpaxnews

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

#HappyMothersDay to my Mom in Heaven— can’t wait for the reunion! And Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there. I hope you felt special and loved today because you are. ❤️

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

It’s late April, but winter is holding on in #Montana! Beautiful, huge flakes falling today outside @kpaxnews!

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

My @kpaxnews colleague, @JillValley, and I emceed the @WatsonChildren Shelter's first fundraising gala, "Brighter Tomorrows"! For nearly 50 years, Watson has been a haven for thousands of children in crisis. Around $104,000 was raised to help children in need!

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

For nearly 50 years, the @WatsonChildren Shelter in #Missoula has been a safe haven for thousands of kids in crisis. This Saturday evening, the organization is hosting its first fundraising gala, "Brighter Tomorrows", and my @kpaxnews colleague, @JillValley, and I are emceeing!

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

UPDATE #2: Dr. Jeremiah Shinn has been officially named the 20th president of @umontana. His initial contract shows an annual salary of $467,197 that would run through June 30, 2029, in accordance with Board of Regents policies. Dr. Shinn's contract begins July 1, 2026. @kpaxtv

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

A final decision could be made on Tuesday as to who will be the next @umontana president. The Board of Regents is holding a special meeting at 9:00 a.m. to consider presidential candidate Dr. Jeremiah Shinn. Stay with @kpaxnews for the very latest.

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

UPDATE: The Montana Board of Regents approved the contract for Dr. Jeremiah Shinn to serve as the next UM president. He hasn’t yet accepted the offer.

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

A final decision could be made on Tuesday as to who will be the next @umontana president. The Board of Regents is holding a special meeting at 9:00 a.m. to consider presidential candidate Dr. Jeremiah Shinn. Stay with @kpaxnews for the very latest.

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

A final decision could be made on Tuesday as to who will be the next @umontana president. The Board of Regents is holding a special meeting at 9:00 a.m. to consider presidential candidate Dr. Jeremiah Shinn. Stay with @kpaxnews for the very latest.

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

#HappyEaster! A day when #Jesus had the last laugh…
“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

In the @kpaxnews newsroom, we enjoyed watching history lift off this afternoon as the #Artemis II launched an historic 10-day mission around the #moon! 🌙💫

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

@Annewilsonmusic @RichardHuntNews @NASA That’s awesome, Anne!

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

#HappyStPatricksDay, everyone! ☘️ I wore my green on @kpaxnews’ Montana This Morning! I love this #Irish #blessing: “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back… and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand” ☘️🍀

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

Following up on a post from yesterday... Therapist Meagan Locke joined me on Montana This Morning to talk about #suicide #prevention. If you or someone you know needs help and information, call or text 988. Here's our interview. @kpaxnews

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

#Montana has the second highest #suicide rate in the country, behind only Alaska. If you or someone you know needs help and information, be sure to watch @kpaxnews’ Montana This Morning on Tuesday (March 10). Therapist Meagan Locke joins me with important advice!

[Mark Martin @MarkMartinMM]

Praying for the safe return of Nancy! 🙏🏻

[TODAY @TODAYshow]

Updates here: 🔗 https://t.co/Ty3MhSnhmD

Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother, has been reported missing in Arizona.

Anyone with information should contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at: 520-351-4900.