Our Story
Life is hard.
It's easy to look around and see so much brokenness - especially now as our communities face struggles like none we've seen before. From financial struggles and unwelcome change to health challenges and the daily grind, nothing seems to let up.
Where can you turn if life feels off? If the people you've depended on have let you down or disappeared? What can bring comfort when every new day brings only more anxiety?
Find peace. Find rest. Find hope. In Jesus.
When the world feels broken; when hope feels impossible; when the days feel long - God is here. At St. Mark's we live this belief through loving our neighbors, service in our community and passion for people and children of all backgrounds.
There's a place for you here - no matter where you've been or where you're going.
Our Mission
To serve all people of God's world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of Holy Scripture.
Meet Our Pastoral Team
James Backus
PASTOR
Pastor James Backus
Pastor James Backus was born on April 14, 1976, and is the son of Rev. Andrew and Dee (nee Rusch) Backus. His father, a son of our congregation, is now retired from the ministry. His mother’s joy and praise exceeds even ours today as she worships Christ in heavenly glory.
Pastor spent his childhood years in Johnson, MN. In 1995 he graduated from Martin Luther High School of Prairie du Chien, WI, a former WELS prep school whose staff and tradition were combined with Northwestern Prep to form our synod’s current Luther Preparatory School.
Pastor Backus and Jessica met during their college years and on August 6, 2000, were married at Jessica’s home church, St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc. Jessica is the daughter of Ralph and Tracy Schmidt and a 1998 graduate of Luther Prep. In May of 2002, Pastor and Jessica graduated together from our Martin Luther College, in New Ulm, MN.
Pastor and Jessica have been blessed with eight children: Abel, Annemarie, Elizabeth, Mary, Micaiah, Judah, Justus, and Levi.
During his seminary training Pastor Backus spent his vicar year in Brookings, SD, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. He is a 2006 graduate of our Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon. Upon seminary graduation, he was assigned to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Florence, WI. The Backus family was in Florence until October of 2010 when Pastor accepted a Call to serve as associate pastor at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Adrian, MI.
In April of 2015, Pastor Backus accepted Christ’s Call to serve our congregation. In additional to his general pastoral duties of preaching, teaching and visitation, he will serve as the education pastor in our school and as pastoral advisor to our youth ministry programs.
When asked about hobbies or interest, Pastor Backus immediately begins to talk about Jessica and the kids. He says he enjoys reading the Bible with his family, playing with the kids, camping, being active outdoors, playing a few musical instruments, and meeting new people.
Michael Jensen
PASTOR
Pastor Michael Jensen
Pastor Michael Jensen has been serving St. Mark’s Lutheran Church since 1999. Pastor Jensen graduated with an M.Div. from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, in 1992. He served as pastor in Green Bay, WI, and East Brunswick, NJ, before coming to St. Mark’s.
At St. Mark’s, Pastor Jensen’s ministry focus is worship and leadership.
Pastor Jensen is married to Jane, and the Lord has blessed them with seven children.
Pastor Jensen has served as WELS Western Wisconsin District President since 2016.
Karl Walther
PASTOR
Pastor Karl Walther
Pastor Karl Walther has been serving St. Mark’s Lutheran Church since 1995. Pastor Walther graduated with an M.Div. from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, in 1989. He served as pastor in Topeka, KS, before coming to St. Mark’s.
At St. Mark’s, Pastor Walther’s ministry focus is with the Board of Elders and Board of Outreach.
Pastor Walther is married to Sandy, and the Lord has blessed them with four children.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Pastor Walther has served our church body as an author, a translator, a circuit pastor, a member of the seminary board, and a seminary level instructor for Spanish language men.
Besides happily serving in the ministry, Pastor Walther is a bit of a hunter, and also a co-owner of the Green Bay Packers.
“God, because he is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!” (EHV, Ephesians 2:4-5)
Peter Wells
PASTOR
Pastor Peter Wells
Pastor Wells graduated from Osceola High School in 2006. Desiring to study for the pastoral ministry, he then enrolled at our Martin Luther College of New Ulm, MN. There he met Caitlin Ulrich of Lakeville, MN, and they were married on June 21, 2008, at Trinity in Osceola.
A man of many gifts and interests, Pastor contemplated entering law enforcement after graduating from MLC, but was again drawn back to our seminary to prepare for the pastoral ministry. His year of pastoral internship took him to Redeemer Lutheran in Edna, Texas, where his desire for pastoral service increased as he gained experience in preaching and teaching in both English and Spanish and in all the other areas of pastoral ministry. He graduated from our Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI.
What We Believe
What we believe and teach is rooted in God's perfect Word - The Bible.
Because we know it never changes, we know we can base our faith upon it.
God
We believe there is only one true God who is holy, eternal, and has all power and wisdom. In the Bible, God reveals himself as Triune - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:18-20
The Bible
We believe the Bible is God's Word. It's true and without error.
2 Timothy 3:15-16
Creation
We believe that in six days God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them thousands of years ago.
Genesis 1
Man + Woman
We believe that all people are special creations of God, created in God's own image.
Genesis 1:26-27
Sin
We believe that we lost the image of God when Adam + Eve gave into the temptation of Satan in the Garden of Eden. This separated us from God, unable to reconcile ourselves to him.
Genesis 3
The Gospel
We believe that the gospel is the good news that our loving God sent Jesus Christ to take away the sins of all people. Because of Jesus' perfect life and sacrificial death, we are fully and freely forgiven.
Romans 1:16-17
Jesus
We believe Jesus is God the Son, born of the virgin Mary, and that he suffered and died on the cross to pay for all of our sins.
Luke 1:26-38
Salvation
We believe Jesus rose on Easter morning, conquering death. And because he rose, so will we.
Ephesians 2:4-7
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit creates faith in our hearts through the gospel.
1 Corinthians 12:3
The Church
We believe that there is one holy, Christian church, made up of all who believe in Jesus.
Ephesians 4:3-6
Baptism
We believe that Jesus washes away sin and people of all ages become God's children through baptism.
Galatians 3:26-27
Communion
We believe God's love and forgiveness is ours through Jesus' true body and blood in the Lord's supper.
Matthew 26:26-29
Peace
We believe Jesus is ruling all things for the good of his people. We have peace with God because of what Jesus did for us.
Ephesians 1:22-23