Shannon and Mark Spencer founded Bema Investments to facilitate their efforts in meeting real and spiritual needs from a Judeo-Christian worldview.

 

Mark Spencer has lived in Phoenix Arizona since 1975, graduated with honors with a finance degree from Northern Arizona University in 1985, met his wife Shannon in 1986 on a Summer Project with Campus Crusade for Christ in Bangkok, Thailand, and was the top overall police recruit from the Phoenix Regional Police Academy in 1987. In 1993 Mark completed his graduate degree in exegetical theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, was a licensed lay pastor at Scottsdale Bible Church and was the teaching pastor at Cave Creek Bible Church for three years until August 2015. As the president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) from 2007 until 2011, the PLEA board of trustees and Mark represented over 2,300 rank-and-file Phoenix Police Officers and Detectives. Mark has been interviewed by international (CNN) and national (Fox National News) cable news outlets, has been quoted in numerous print publications (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Nation, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Magazine) and has participated on radio talk shows across the country: topics discussed included illegal immigration, police suicide, border violence, and police management pension violations. He has partnered with F.A.I.R. (Federation for American Immigration Reform) and Judicial Watch in reference to front-line law enforcement perspectives on illegal immigration and government corruption. In July 2009, the Arizona Republic reported that Mark, in “his first two years as union president…earned…a reputation as a harsh critic of police management and a relentless advocate for Phoenix patrol officers.” His role as the voice of the largest police association in Arizona garnered him the title as one of the “three of the most polarizing figures in Arizona politics” by the left-leaning Phoenix New Times in 2011. His retirement from the Phoenix Police Department in January 2012 ended a 25 year career in which Mark and the PLEA team cultivated powerful community partnerships and facilitated unprecedented bipartisan support for rights of Arizona law enforcement. Most importantly, during this quarter of a century, Mark saw God change the lives of thousands by means of his professional police platform. By practically applying grace oriented biblical principles with successful real-world strategies, Mark is able to provide a unique but practical perspective which encourages all Believers to be “useful to the Master.” Mark is an active member of the Free Grace Alliance and is the author of A Moment In Time published in 2012 (revised in 2023) by Westbow Press. He has been the Southwest Projects Coordinator for Judicial Watch since February 2012.

 

Shannon Spencer graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1988 with a degree in special education. She obtained her graduate degree with honors from Northern Arizona University in 1994. She brings over 25 years of teaching experience in the public, private and charter school sectors. Her ministry experience has brought her to Thailand, the Soviet Union, and East Africa.  Shannon developed and implemented a grace-based children's study covering foundational principles in Christianity.  She currently coordinates food delivery to public housing tenants in Phoenix and coordinates home-based Young Life events. Shannon is currently a 2nd grade teacher at Paradise Valley Christian Prep.

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