Meet Pastor Chris

Pastor Chris loves helping people meet Jesus. Not just the idea of Jesus, or facts about him, but genuinely interacting with Jesus in the ways he promises you can find him. The goal of every sermon he preaches or every leadership decision he makes is to help you experience Jesus.

Before coming to Battle Creek in 2022, Pastor Chris and his wife, Ashley started a mission church in the heart of St. Louis, MO. He also served for over a decade as a Worship Director and a Youth Director. He graduated from Concordia University in Austin, Texas and was ordained after completing his studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He’s a huge Texas Longhorn fan, the creator of a website called Pray for Your Church, and the author of several books, including his most–recent prayer book called 52 Prayers for Your Church.

Pastor Chris and his wife Ashley married in 2005 and have five kids through adoption and foster care. Life can get busy leading a church and running kids to dance lessons or hockey practices, but they wouldn’t have it any other way!

You can find Pastor Chris shaking hands at the door after every service. You can also join him for lunch at our next Newcomers’ Lunch!

Staff

Tara Barroso

Hospitality Director

Grant Bowdish

Connections Director

Oralia Garcia

Finance Director

Jessica Land

Youth & Family Coordinator

Rick Mahoney

Property Manager

Ashley Paavola

Youth & Family Ministry Director

Xylinn Zubaly

Worship Director

Our World For Children

OWC is a ministry of St. Mark providing care for children age 6 weeks-Junior Kindergarten.

Mary Huisinga

Director of Our World for Children

Michelle Sprygada

Administrative Director of Our World for Children

Elected Leaders

  • Church Council

    Our Church Council oversees the business affairs of St. Mark. They monitor the expenses and operation of the church and hold the Senior Pastor accountable to the mission, vision, values, and goals of the ministry. Council members are nominated by a nominating committee and are elected by the congregation to serve in two-year terms.

    Nate Kares – President

    Lisa Knoop – Vice President

    Emily Keller – Secretary

    Karl Dehn – Treasurer

    Tom Beuchler – Property Chair

    Kristin Hook – Our World for Children Chair

    Rob Howes  – Head Elder

  • Elders

    Our Elders oversee the spiritual affairs of St. Mark. They monitor the teachings and doctrine of the church and hold the Senior Pastor accountable to the standards of Scripture. Elders are nominated by a nominating committee and are elected by the congregation to serve in three-year terms.

    Rob Howes – Head Elder

    Jerry Porter

    Tim Wetherill

    Tom Timmer

    Nick Kleimola

    Ben Bain

    Tim Adair

Contact a Team Member