Learn our history
The history, essentials, principles, values, and commitments of the Tar Heel Leadership.
Tar Heel History & Background
Tar Heel Leadership was founded in 1997 by Dr. Mark Corts after years of informally training pastors in the state. Tar Heel has now trained over 900 pastors in North Carolina.
The original purpose of THL remains to the present. That is to train, encourage, and equip NC pastors for greater effectiveness in life and in leadership in the local church.
We create monthly opportunities for pastoral growth in an informal “lecture/lab” setting with on-the-spot discussion and personalized pastoral coaching through the year via on-site visits.
C. Mark Corts
Meet the Founder
Dr. C. Mark Corts, founder of Tar Heel Leadership, spent forty years pastoring Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC, where he helped shape missions, pastoral training, and the theological direction of the Southern Baptist Convention. Born in Ohio as one of six brothers—five of whom entered ministry—Dr. Corts led Calvary’s growth from 125 members to over 6,000, with 25% of its $12 million budget devoted to missions. He served as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, trustee chairman of the SBC’s Foreign Mission Board, and chairman of both the SBC Resolutions and Committee on Committees. His legacy includes Calvary Day School, a preaching award in his name at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and authorship of The Truth About Spiritual Warfare.
In 1997, Dr. Corts founded Tar Heel Leadership to mentor pastors in leadership, administration, preaching, evangelism, and church growth. Today, under the leadership of his son Dr. Steve Corts, Tar Heel Leadership has trained over 900 pastors across North Carolina, continuing the vision of equipping servant-hearted leaders for effective ministry.
