Remembering Mark Bush

Mark Bush at Camp Sunshine

On Thursday, September 25, the Camp Sunshine community lost a beloved member, Mark Bush. Both as a song leader and a champion, Mark was a pillar for Camp Sunshine through every season of change: the expansion from two to four sessions, leadership transitions, a pandemic, his own cancer diagnosis, and even this past summer when he had to step away as song leader. 

Mark began his time with Camp Sunshine in 2001, when his cherished wife Miriam (Mimi) nudged him to join her as song leaders at camp. Mark was apprehensive about leading music at Sunshine, but when Mimi said they could do it as a family, he could not refuse. For many years Mark and Mimi, with their beautiful children Isaac, Hannah, and Rebekah, did more than lead music - their playfulness and genuine care for everyone, helped form the culture of Camp Sunshine. 

Mark would share with anyone he met about how Camp Sunshine shaped and molded him, musically, spiritually, and personally. Ordained ministers in the RCA Church, Mark and Miriam co-pastored a church in Muskegon Heights. This congregation and community aligned well with Mark’s sense and call to justice. That very call is why he returned year after year to Camp Sunshine. 

In an email exchange when I was discerning stepping into leadership at Camp Sunshine, Mark shared this:

Camp Sunshine has been one of my deepest justice and learning experiences… ever. (With Camp) I was completely transformed. The catalyst of that transformation?

The life giving joy of our campers? Yes.

Being able to expand my joy in serving others through music? Yes.

Meeting new and amazing people outside of my normal context of relationships? Yes.

But here’s the biggie: Justice.

I feel like I am a small part of giving voice and song to those who (often) have no voice and song in our society. I get to be a part of giving them a voice and a song.

That they belong.

And that we are better together.

Justice. It’s such a powerful word. For better or worse, many people have a visceral response to it. Yet in the loss of our dearest friend, I hope we can grow closer to his image of Justice, which is one of compassion, understanding, mutual respect, and—most importantly—LOVE of ourselves and one another! 

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Please click here to read Mark Bush’s obituary. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Covenant Community Church in Muskegon Heights at 3:00 pm. Feel free to share your remembrances of Mark in the comments of this post, and we’ll share them with the Bush family. Condolence cards for the Bush family may also be sent via the Camp Sunshine office.