The Lord called Mark to the ministry from a career as a firefighter. During his four-and-a-half years of training at the Bible Institute of Grace Church of Mentor, God revealed His will for the Mavars to become church planters in Panama.

The Mavar family arrived in Panama in January 2002 and began language school. They initially worked with veteran missionaries in a church in Cerro Cama. In September 2003 they were led to start a Bible study in Valle Dorado and the first service of La Iglesia de La Gracia de Valle Dorado was on February 29, 2004. Wednesday services began in October 2004.

After meeting in rented houses for a couple of years, the Lord provided land for them to purchase. They began building in August 2006 and had their first service in the unfinished building in December. La Iglesia de La Gracia de Valle Dorado officially organized as a church with their charter service on February 29, 2008.

The Mavars have 4 children. Their oldest, Luke, married Kara Moore in July 2007. Luke now works as a police officer for Greenville Police Department. Caleb graduated from Bob Jones University in May 2010. Hope and Hannah are currently students at BJU.