Mark Stirling is a former medical doctor who pioneered work amongst university students with the Navigators in Edinburgh from 1998 to 2004. In 2007 he completed an MA in Exegetical Theology at Covenant Seminary in St Louis and in 2011 gained a PhD in Biblical Studies from St Andrews University, his thesis examining issues of discipleship and maturity in Ephesians.

Mark and his wife Jenny recently moved to Inverness from St Andrews where they were involved in setting up and leading a new church, Cornerstone St Andrews. Mark directs Chalmers Institute which exists to resource and equip men and women to exercise faithful biblical leadership in the church and in society. As part of this, he teaches at Highland Theological College and Edinburgh Theological Seminary.