Today we’d like to introduce you to Mario Burns.
Hi Mario, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Mario Burns, I am the Pastor of Soul Life Church located in Hendersonville, Tennessee. I was born in 1981 in St. Louis, Missouri, where I was raised primarily by my mother as the youngest of her four biological children. Family has always been an important part of my life, and I’ve been blessed with a large, loving circle of brothers and sisters who have helped shape who I am today.
I joined the Air Force on Active Duty when I was 17 and served six years of honorable service (1999-2005) serving in Saudia Arabia and Iraq. I separated at the rank of E-5. My time in the military instilled in me a strong sense of discipline, responsibility, and the value of working alongside others through both challenges and growth. While serving, I also pursued my education as a full-time college student and was able to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology from Park University in 2004. That experience taught me the importance of persistence and opened the door to a deeper understanding of people and human behavior.
After completing my military service, I returned to St. Louis and began working with the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2005. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving veterans in a variety of roles, including compensation and pension, vocational rehabilitation, counseling services, and contracting. That work has been deeply meaningful to me and has continually reinforced my desire to support others as they navigate life’s transitions.
While working full-time, I continued my education, earning a Master’s degree in Counseling in 2008, with a focus on marital and family counseling as well as rehabilitative counseling. I later went on to complete my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2016. That journey was not always easy, but it was incredibly rewarding and helped further shape my perspective on growth, healing, and connection. Professionally, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in both Tennessee and Missouri, as well as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC). I have also had the pleasure of working as an adjunct professor within the Counseling Departments at University of Missouri St. Louis, University of North Texas, and Webster University.
Life has also brought its share of personal lessons. I was married in 2010 and experienced a divorce in 2013, which was a difficult season but one that ultimately contributed to my personal growth and understanding of relationships. During my time in San Antonio, I was blessed to connect with people who would become lifelong parts of my journey, most importantly, my wife Danielle. We were married in 2017 and continue to build a loving and supportive life together.
In 2018, we moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee, where we now live with our three children Haydan (15), Hyde (12), and Nina (7), along with our two dogs (Molly and Sammi), a cat (Luna), and turtle (Gerald). Home, for me, is a place filled with love, learning, and constant growth.
Given my various experiences and continual seeking of knowledge and understanding, I found myself being led toward something deeper. I received my calling from God during the summer/fall of 2018 during a dream. I remember the instant very clearly as it was a feeling I had never had and have not had since then in that way. I awoke from a dream within a dream with a burst of energy after having a vision revealed to me. I saw myself spreading a message of peace and love throughout the world and people working together in harmony. It was such a sense of peace, joy and love, and it was so real that it left an imprint on me.
I came back from the dream knowing that not only was peace possible in the dream, peace was possible here and now. I often describe the feeling of pulling something from the beyond into this realm. What I felt was so powerful and answered all my questions about what direction I needed to go in. From that point forward I have moved forward in faith with love and peace in my heart to spread love around the world. That experience became a turning point in my life and ultimately led to the creation of Soul Life Church (Est. 2022).
Soul Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit church and charity established for the purpose of maintaining a place for the worship and fellowship. Our mission is to serve souls by providing love through unifying peaceful philosophy toward living together better each day on earth. We believe every human alive has an “immortal soul” and an ability to “love”. We believe the purpose of human existence is “to live together harmoniously”. Furthermore, we understand there are many different belief systems, “no one knows what happens when we die”.
Through Soul Life Church, I have been blessed with the opportunity to share messages centered on love, unity, peace, and growth, and to create spaces where people can come together, reflect, and connect in meaningful ways.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has not always been smooth however I am so incredibly thankful to be alive and traveling along the road with everyone else. Regardless of what the road may bring, or the struggles that may arise it is incredibly important to continue to idealize and work towards your goals. In my mind challenges and obstacles are things that we see when we lose sight of our goal. Otherwise, challenges and obstacles are actually blessings in disguise as they continue to mold us and shape who we are in obtainment of our goals in life.
What I mean by that is this: while we may not be able to control every circumstance, we can control how we choose to respond. I have found and continue to practice that by actively engaging in our future with intention and positivity, we can influence outcomes rather than passively accepting them. Our future exists only in our minds and in our imaginations. What we think of today will determine who we are tomorrow and the next day. We become what we think about.
I view the challenges faced as an opportunity rather than a challenge. I appreciate the opportunity to address matters in the best of ways. I was taught early in my life about the power of our minds and in particular our attitudes. I was told that our attitude towards anything affects the outcome so it is good to have a positive attitude. I have practiced this daily for decades now based largely upon a motivational poster in a hallway that said “your altitude is based on your attitude”. I also strive for excellence with everything I do.
Once this habit was engrained essentially approaching each issue faced from the best of places typically has a very beneficial outcome for all parties involved. I understand that I cannot control anyone else and what they do or say. I have full control over what it is that I choose to think, say, or do, so I do my best to ensure that those thoughts, words, and actions, are with love as the intent.
I ask myself these three questions internally before I speak, is it true, is it kind, and is it helpful? If I cannot answer yes to all those questions. I choose not to speak.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Serving as the Pastor of Soul Life Church has provided me the opportunity to continue to help numerous people within the community on a broader scale by providing guidance and support for emotional well-being at no cost. All persons working with Soul Life are non-paid volunteers and do so willingly with the power and purpose of spreading love to the world. As a 501 (C)(3) Church and Corporation our donations and offerings received are tax deductible and used 100% towards charitable works in the mission of spreading love to enhance the living conditions of humans living together on the planet.
In addition to the establishment of Soul Life Church, I have worked in the counseling profession as a rehabilitation counselor and licensed professional counselor for over 15 years. I have been so incredibly thankful to be able to assist others as it has always been my pleasure to serve. I specialize in individual and group therapy, therapy for military veterans exposed to trauma, marital and family issues, supervision, vocational rehabilitation, and race related matters.
In August 2021 Race Metatheory: Toward a Dissolution of a Calamitous Concept was published with the Journal of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice; American Psychological Association.
“To put it simply, it is inappropriate and harmful to have human beings mark boxes on various forms based upon a color or definition, both of which they clearly are not, and some decision is made. All people that look alike are not alike.”
Race metatheory (RMT) is an academic journal article that provides a theoretical and practical framework to address complex issues associated with the concept of race. Researchers are encouraged to explore the intersectionality of other pertinent variables that may exist to explain the phenomena studied, and work toward solutions without the stigmatizing generalizations associated with race. Burns, M. A., & Vaughn, K. R. (2021). Race metatheory: Toward a dissolution of a calamitous concept. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 52(5), 487–493.
This research article combined with a video entitled Manifesto on Race (January 1, 2020) are both available at www.soullifechurch.org. The manuscript and the video are considered foundational writings that include information about the core beliefs of Soul Life Church. These profound works provided valuable insights and a roadmap for dismantling the harmful concept of race, paving the way for a future where love and unity triumph over division.
We have a clear intent and mission of spreading love and peace in the world. What I am most proud of is the willingness of others to allow us to help. When we help someone, we are not just helping them, we are also being helped in return. We are all here to help each other and work together better. It is through the spirit of cooperation that we will continue to be better as a whole. I’m incredibly thankful to be blessed with having the opportunity and ability to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported, spaces where individuals can grow, reflect, and connect in meaningful ways.
What sets this work apart is its foundation in love, service, and accessibility, ensuring that support and guidance are available to anyone who seeks it.
We don’t want your money. The offering and donation that we ask of you now and forever is to be loving and kind towards everyone and everything with all your words and all your actions as best as you possibly can. We ask of you to be impeccable with your words knowing that your words are the most powerful thing you have. Please use your words towards yourself and others with love in mind always. Soul Life teaches that our words and our actions towards others is our true offering to God.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I was fortunate to grow up in St. Louis, Missouri, and I truly love St. Louis. Some of my best childhood memories involve going to the Science Center. I absolutely loved the St. Louis Science Center and spending time in Forest Park going to the zoo, knowing it was all free, made it even more special. I also volunteered in the Children’s Discovery Room at the Science Center, which is something I still look back on fondly.
I have great memories of family cookouts in Forest Park and sledding down Art Hill in the winter. I had a great childhood and was always thankful to have many friends to spend time with. Growing up in St. Louis could be tough at times given the environment, but I was fortunate to have the support and guidance of my mom and others who helped keep me focused on positive goals.
Some of my favorite memories were from when I turned 16 and got my driver’s license on my birthday. I remember my mom letting me drive the van with my friends that same day. We went to the arcade, out to eat, and just enjoyed the freedom of being able to go wherever we wanted. At one point, we got a flat tire, but I was able to buy a tire, get it fixed, and we kept going. It didn’t ruin the day at all. Looking back, I smile at that moment because even then, I understood that while circumstances may arise, it’s how we respond that determines the outcome.
I also have to mention one more favorite memory; going to prom in my dream car, a Ford Mustang GT convertible (White with Black top) for the weekend. That was a great experience and something I’ll always remember!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soullifechurch.org
