A Legacy of Faith and Generosity: Mark ’85 and Cindee Heath
The Heath family’s connection to Vanguard spans generations. Mark’s parents met at the university, and his grandparents were active in ministry. Those early examples shaped how Mark views both service and generosity. “My grandparents and my parents have always been involved in church work,” Mark reflected. “My parents both met at Vanguard and have always had a heart for giving to Vanguard.”
Cindee’s background echoes a similar story. Raised in a family committed to missions and Christian education, she grew up seeing firsthand how giving impacts lives around the world. “I was raised in a family of mission givers and people who believed that Christian education was important,” she said. “As first-generation Americans, my parents sent my brother and me to Assemblies of God schools, and they were always involved in Assemblies of God projects and higher education.”
A Growing Connection to Vanguard
Although Mark’s connection to Vanguard began as a student, Cindee’s relationship with the university grew over time. After meeting Mark in 1985 and later moving overseas for ministry in Costa Rica, the couple remained closely connected to Vanguard through family involvement and campus life.
Their growing relationship with Vanguard eventually led to Cindee’s service on the Board of Trustees. For her, board leadership offered a front-row seat to the university’s mission and evolving needs. “It’s just a pure delight to walk around campus and see how much has been impacted in the last eight years,” she said. Cindee has seen firsthand how the university adapts to serve students in changing times, from expanding facilities to supporting student wellness and community life.
Why Christian Higher Education Matters
The Heaths’ commitment to Christian higher education is deeply rooted in their belief that universities like Vanguard shape the next generation of leaders. “All of our giving is based on Spirit-led guidance,” Mark shared. “I’ve seen how Christian colleges can change the lives of young leaders. When my daughters went to Vanguard, they grew in their spirituality and their knowledge of God there.”
To Cindee, the value of Christian education extends beyond academics. It forms lifelong relationships, ministry opportunities, and a shared mission that often comes full circle years later. “It’s very important to set the course of your life in a place where people are like-minded and spiritually wanting to serve,” she said. “Vanguard in particular has sent missionaries and pastors around the world. It has a very rich history.”
Spirit-Led Generosity
Their approach to philanthropy reflects that same spirit of faith and trust. The couple describes their giving as something they discern together, while still being supportive of each other’s individual convictions. “When there’s a missional need that one of us feels called to give to, it’s not even a consideration,” Cindee explained. “We just say, ‘You want to give? Okay, how much do you want to give?’ And often we both arrive at the same number.”
That spirit of generosity is already being passed to the next generation. Their children—and even their grandchildren—have begun supporting mission programs, continuing the family’s tradition of service and giving.
Investing in Vanguard’s Future
The Heaths believe continued investment in faculty and facilities is essential. For Cindee, ensuring that professors are supported and campus spaces are well-maintained is critical to sustaining the university’s transformational impact. Mark points to the example set by faculty and mentors who shaped his VU experience. “Seeing professors guide and lead students and model those values is very important to me,” he said.
For the Heaths, Vanguard’s mission is a lived reality expressed through leadership and the broader community. After more than four decades of connection with the university, their prayer for Vanguard’s future is simple: that it will continue forming leaders whose faith and education shape lives around the world.
