Pastor Mark has served as the lead pastor of Grace Church (formerly First Baptist Church of Chehalis) since August 2001. His passion is helping people experience God personally and grow in their understanding of God’s Word. Mark has been married toKrista since 1992. Many in the community know her as “Mrs. Wilks,” the science teacher at W.F. West High School. Together they have been blessed with three adult children, each married to wonderful spouses who love Jesus.
Their oldest son, Dr. Nathan Wilks, practices Emergency Medicine and completed his residency through the University of Oklahoma in 2026. His wife, Dr. Rachel Wilks, practices Pediatric Medicine and completed her pediatric residency through Oklahoma State University in 2026. They have one son.
Their daughter Megan is a third-grade teacher at Orin Smith Elementary School and varsity tennis coach at W.F. West High School. Her husband, Luke Wellander, works in cybersecurity. Mark and Krista are especially grateful to have them back in Chehalis and actively involved at Grace Church after their years at George Fox University. Megan and Luke have one daughter, and Mark and Krista cherish having a granddaughter nearby.
Joshua (who is Megan’s twin brother) graduated from Bethlehem Seminary in Minneapolis with a Master of Divinity degree in 2026 and serves as a pastor-in-residence at Eden Baptist Church. He is married to Abigail, a chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. They have two children and are expecting another this fall.
Mark describes himself as a “recovering Southern Californian,” having grown up in Ventura, California. He enjoys watching, playing and coaching sports. He serves as an assistant coach for girls’ soccer at W.F. West High School, where he also volunteers with the boys’ soccer program.
Mark and Krista love exploring life together, whether hiking close to home or traveling abroad. Over the past decade, they have led multiple trips to Israel. During a recent sabbatical, they traveled through Turkey, visiting the locations of the seven churches in Revelation and Greece, exploring sites connected to the Apostle Paul’s journeys. They hope to lead future church tours to both regions.
Pastor Mark earned a Bachelor’s degree from Multnomah University, a Master of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Seminary. He also serves as a Regional Pastor for Mission Northwest and leads a monthly Pastor’s Connect Group.
“I love Jesus! I’m humbled that the Lord would call someone like me to serve Him and share the good news of Jesus. I come from a broken family, and because of that, I believe there is always room for anyone to be welcomed into the family of God. I invite you to join us with the understanding that none of us is perfect—but we were all made to trust the One who is.” —Pastor Mark