EDITOR'S NOTE: This story originally appeared in the February issue of GCU Magazine, available in the purple bins across campus or digitally.
Photos by Ralph Freso
Before joining GCU, Dr. Mark Olmos served as a pastor in his native Hawaii and in Japan. Olmos has spoken at conferences in Japan, Myanmar, Thailand and Canada. Outside of his classroom duties, he advises GCU’s Modern Boardgamers Guild. He also has interesting stories to tell about pitching for the University of Hawaii in the 1980 College World Series.
1 How did growing up in Hawaii help sculpt who you are? The Hawaii culture is all about finding a way to live together, even in a multi-ethnic setting. Hawaii’s culture had a big impact on just how I treat people, how I see life, my love for food. Exposure to multiple cultures on the islands has always just kind of made me open-minded toward people. There’s also what they call the spirit of aloha and the idea that you just choose to love each other and work together to make this work, even though you’re from all over the world.
2 Why has it been so special to talk about God’s Word to college students? My first three years in high school, I made some bad choices. I became a Christian my senior year, and after I left high school, I just thought I would love to be a youth director so I can help young people not make the same choices. I had a passion for youth ministry for about 14 years. … I think the fact that they’re at the crossroads of their life, and they’re 18, they’re making some of the most important choices. And because I’ve worked with so many kids through that, I just love to be there and teach them and try to model for them.
3 What’s your favorite board game? There’s a game called “Battlestar Galactica.” It’s based on the TV show. I play it maybe once or twice a year with friends. I would say that is still my No. 1, because it was such a good show. I’m a sci-fi nerd, too. I love science fiction, “Star Wars,” “Battle” (“Battlestar Galactica”), “Star Trek,” even “Lord of the Rings,” fantasy, all those things. I also play “Dungeons and Dragons.” I’m a Dungeon Master from the ’70s. Every semester I run a six-week campaign for a group of about six kids.
4 You sold real estate for three years 15 years ago. How fascinated are you with the way real estate has exploded? For me, real estate was a bridge. I came to Phoenix because my previous marriage went through a really rough time. I had three kids with me, and I was going to just try to get them set up. I was out of ministry, and I needed to make a living. My dad was working real estate and said, “Just get your real estate license and do it with me.” We did it together, and God kind of used that as a bridge time until God got me back into ministry.
5 You pitched in front of more than 15,000 fans at the College World Series against Arizona, facing future pros like (two-time World Series title manager) Terry Francona. What did that mean? At that moment, everything that you’re doing is like a culmination of every game you’ve ever played. … I stepped to the back of the mound and thanked God. “This is amazing. Thank you so much.” I also knew it was my last time pitching because I was going to be done and then go into ministry. And it’s just fun … You feel the pressure, but you’re used to it. You just focus – and I did strike out Terry Francona.
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