While at the Mercy homes, Mark made his personal story applicable to the residents by weaving it with a teaching based on 1 Samuel 16 where God rejects Saul and redirects Samuel. He asked the residents, “How long will you mourn over your past when God has already moved on to what will happen?” He followed that thought by saying, “Your rejection will always be your direction.” Mark taught that God has great miracles, surprises, wisdom, relationships, and resources for us if we will deliberately seek Him and not place so much focus on our past. He encouraged the residents to be like Samuel and “fill your horn with oil and be on your way.”