Pastor Mark has been leading Grace Church (formally First Baptist Church of Chehalis) since August 2001. His passion is empowering others to experience God and understand God’s Word. Mark is married to Krista (since 1992) –a.k.a. Mrs. Wilks for students from W.F. West High School where she teaches science. They are blessed with three adult children (each with a wonderful spouse) who love Jesus.
Their oldest son Dr. Nathan is practicing Emergency Medicine in residency at Oklahoma University. His wife Dr. Rachel is practicing Pediatric Medicine in residency at Oklahoma State University.
Megan is a fourth-grade teacher at Orin Smith Elementary school. Her husband Luke Wellander is a cyber-security specialist with Intel. We are blessed and thankful to have them back in Chehalis and a part of Grace Church after college at George Fox University.
Joshua (Megan’s twin) is working on his M.Div. at Bethlehem Seminary in Minneapolis and planning to become a pastor. He is married to Abigail, who is a chef, and they have our first grandchild!
Mark is a recovering Southern Californian who grew up in Ventura. Mark enjoys sports and is the assistant varsity and JV head boys’ and girls’ soccer coach at W.F. West.
Mark and Krista enjoy exploring together, from hiking to traveling the world. In the past 10 years they have led multiple trips to Israel. On his most recent sabbatical Mark and Krista traveled to Turkey (visiting the locations of the 7 churches of Revelation) and Greece (locations Paul visited) with hopes to lead groups on tours to these locations in the future.
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 is a Region Pastor for Mission Northwest and leads a monthly Leadership Learning Community. Mark also serves on the board of the Lewis County Ministry Network.
“I love Jesus! I’m humbled the Lord would call someone like me to serve him and communicate the good news of Jesus. I come from a broken family and I feel there is always room for anyone to be included in the family of God. I invite you to come join our family, with the understanding that not one of us is perfect, but we were meant to trust the one who is!” Pastor Mark