Meet Pastor Chris

Thank you so much for taking a moment to learn more about the people of St. Mark!

To let you know a bit about myself– I love helping people meet Jesus. Not the idea of him, or facts about him, but to genuinely experience Jesus in the ways he promises you can find him.

And that’s my hope for you, too.

I’ve had a lot of ministry experiences before coming to Battle Creek in 2022. Most recently, my wife and I started a mission church in the heart of St. Louis, MO. Before that I was a Worship Director, and even had a stint as a Youth Director while I was in college.

I’m a huge Texas Longhorns fan (hook ‘em!) ever since my years at Concordia University in Austin, Texas. Afterwards, I graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

Aside from my education and experience, my wife Ashley and I married in 2005 and we have five kids through adoption and foster care. It can get busy running kids to dance lessons or hockey practices, but we wouldn’t have it any other way!

If you haven’t done so already, please come check out St. Mark on a Sunday morning. Our team works hard to make sure your Sunday morning experience is a great one, and I pride myself on preaching messages that are engaging, practical, and help you draw closer to Jesus.

We’ll see you soon, and be blessed–

Chris Paavola, Senior Pastor

Staff

Tara Barroso

Office Administrator

Grant Bowdish

Connections Director

Oralia Garcia

Finance Director

Jackie Okrasinski

Hospitality Director

Nate Okrasinski

Nate Okrasinski

Hospitality Director

Bridget Olsen

Small Groups Director

Ashley Paavola

Youth & Family Ministry Director

Alan Graham

Facilities Coordinator

Devon Sleper

Youth & Family Coordinator

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

    Kaylee Rizor – 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

Contact a Team Member