Ministry staff
Lead Pastor David Bjorklund
Pastor David grew up in the church but like many others he fell away from the faith as a teenager. After dropping out of high school he got his GED and started at Normandale Community College before attending Hamline University where he studied Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion. After completing under
Lead Pastor David Bjorklund
Pastor David grew up in the church but like many others he fell away from the faith as a teenager. After dropping out of high school he got his GED and started at Normandale Community College before attending Hamline University where he studied Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion. After completing undergrad in 2006 he moved to the island of Hawaii where he worked in construction and enjoyed island life before moving back to Minnesota in 2008.
Somewhere along the way, and much to his surprise, Pastor David rediscovered his faith. He became an active member of his home congregation of Mount Olivet in Minneapolis and it was there that he heard the call to pastoral ministry. Pastor David was ordained in 2016 and served 5 years in rural North Dakota before being called to St. Mark’s first as Associate Pastor in 2021 and then as Lead Pastor in 2023.
Pastor David lives in North St. Paul with his wife Anna and two children. In his free time Pastor David loves baking bread, cooking elaborate meals, going to the movies, and riding bikes around the Twin Cities with Anna.
You may contact him directly at prdavidb@stmarks-nsp.org.
Deacon Kate Bentley
In November 2023, Kate was called as Deacon at St. Mark's. Kate began her time at St. Mark's as a diaconal intern in February 2023 while a candidate for the roster of Word and Service in the ELCA. She graduated seminary in May with her Masters of Divinity and a concentration in children, youth, and family ministry and
Deacon Kate Bentley
In November 2023, Kate was called as Deacon at St. Mark's. Kate began her time at St. Mark's as a diaconal intern in February 2023 while a candidate for the roster of Word and Service in the ELCA. She graduated seminary in May with her Masters of Divinity and a concentration in children, youth, and family ministry and was ordained at her home church in Massachusetts. Kate's vocational interests include faith formation, especially for children and youth, as well as pastoral care and service opportunities. You may contact her directly at deaconkateb@stmarks-nsp.org.
Tom Paulson
Director of Music & Worship
Tom Paulson comes to St. Mark’s with 30-plus years of experience in church music. This includes Crown of Glory Lutheran Church, Chaska (ELCA), and two long-term ministries, at Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata (UCC) and Incarnation Lutheran Church, Shoreview. Concurrently he was Music Director/Condu
Tom Paulson
Director of Music & Worship
Tom Paulson comes to St. Mark’s with 30-plus years of experience in church music. This includes Crown of Glory Lutheran Church, Chaska (ELCA), and two long-term ministries, at Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata (UCC) and Incarnation Lutheran Church, Shoreview. Concurrently he was Music Director/Conductor of the Edina Chorale for 22 years. He is a native of Austin, MN who, though proud of his home town, does not eat Spam. Tom holds degrees in music from St. Olaf College, Northfield, (BA) and the University of Minnesota, (MA). He has a passion for leading congregational singing and for worship as a participation sport, often quoting John Ferguson, retired professor of church music at St. Olaf, “If you sing well, sing to praise the giver. If you don’t sing so well, sing to get even!” Maya Angelou comes in a close second, “I’ve learned that you cannot go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.” His current favorite bible verse is Micah 6:8,”…do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly.” He and his husband Lou Vlahos live in Wayzata, and are devoted foodies and oenophiles. You may contact him directly at tomp@stmarks-nsp.org.