Kingdom Closer was born out of one of the most painful seasons our family has ever walked through a time marked by grief, uncertainty, and heartache. On June 9, 2023, my husband, Mark A. Batista, gave his life in an act of extraordinary love and courage saving our daughter from drowning at the Jersey Shore. He left this world a hero, embodying the very heart of who he was: selfless, brave, and devoted.

Mark was more than a husband and father.

He was a man of deep compassion, boundless generosity, and unwavering faith. He loved fiercely and gave freely always seeking to extend the same grace he himself had received. Whether with family, friends, or strangers in need, Mark’s life was a reflection of God's love and mercy. It is from this place of pain and an even greater place of love that Kingdom Closer was founded. This organization is a living extension of Mark’s legacy and the heart of God that moved him. Through Kingdom Closer, we seek to draw near to the hurting, the overlooked, and the vulnerable just as Mark would have done.

Our mission is to serve widows, children, and anyone in need across neighborhoods, communities, and nations offering practical help and compassionate care. What began with loss has become a movement of love. Kingdom Closer exists to bring hope where there is pain, light where there is darkness, and grace where there is need.