Dr. Michael Foss

Senior Pastor
foss@stmarkwdm.org

Born and raised in Richland, Washington, Foss graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1970 with a B.A. in Religion. In 1974, he graduated with an M Div. from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1986, he received a Master’s Degree in Theology and Spirituality from Mount Angel Benedictine Seminary in Mount Angel, Oregon. In 1999, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree by Wartburg Theological Seminary.

Pastor Foss has authored several books, Power Surge, A Servant’s Manual, The Disciple’s Joy, and Real Faith for Real Life.

Pastor Foss and his wife, Christine, reside in West Des Moines; they have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Pastor Roy Nilsen

Senior Ministry/Pastoral Care
roycarlnilsen@aol.com

Roy Nilsen was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated in 1960 from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, with a B.A, majoring in English. In 1964, he earned his M. Div. from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1996, he received Certification in Enneagram Instruction from Loyola University, Chicago. His Certification in Spiritual Direction is from Creighton University, Omaha in 1999.

Pastor Nilsen served congregations in Minnesota and Iowa, retiring as Senior Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran, Des Moines in 2004. He served as interim pastor at St. Mark in 2007. A collection of his funeral homilies, In the Hollow of God’s Hand, was published in 2004. Pastor Nilsen and his wife, Mary, have five children and eleven grandchildren.

Mark Babcock

Organist & Choirmaster
mark@stmarkwdm.org

Mark Babcock, an Iowa native, received a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Central College in Pella, Iowa and a Master’s degree in choral conducting and organ performance from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. Since his formal education, Mark has taught vocal music, directed a variety of choirs, and served as Director of Music and Organist. Currently, Mark is an Associate Professor of Music at Central College and Chair of the Music Department.

Kat Beane

Administrative Assistant / Communications Specialist
kat@stmarkwdm.org

Kat Beane has attended St. Mark since she moved to West Des Moines in 2007, after graduating from Luther College with a B.A. in Music. She remains active in music with the St. Mark Chancel Choir and the Des Moines Metro Opera. When she is not singing, Kat spends her time making jewelry, teaching music appreciation for Des Moines Community Education, and teaching voice lessons for Drake University Community School of Music. She enjoys being part of the ministry team and is excited to see what each new day will bring.

Maxine Bruinekool

Parish Administrator
maxine@stmarkwdm.org

Maxine Bruinekool attended the University of Iowa, Simpson College, and DMACC. Maxine and her husband, Robert, have two married sons and two grandsons, all who live in West Des Moines. Before joining the St. Mark staff, she was vice–president/general manager and one-third owner KDMI–FM radio in Des Moines.

Patrick Garland

Director of Children and Family Ministries
Tech/Media Support
patrick@stmarkwdm.org

Patrick Garland was born and raised in Garner, Iowa. He has his Associate’s Degree from North Iowa Area Community College, his Bachelor’s Degree from University of Northern Iowa, and his Master’s Degree from Drake University. He spent the years at those schools focusing on becoming a better teacher. After he graduated from UNI, he worked at The Downtown School in Des Moines for four years. He then moved onto Principal Financial Group where he worked as a computer programmer before he heard God’s calling. Patrick and his wife, Kirsten have one child and are expecting their second child in October. His hobbies include reading, hanging out with his family, and watching movies, especially Disney.

Brandon Mick

Director of Discipleship
brandon@stmarkwdm.org

Brandon was born and raised in Guttenberg, IA and was a graduate of Guttenberg Community Schools. He earned his B.A. in Criminology/Psychology from Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. Following his undergrad, Brandon moved to Des Moines in the fall of 2001 to attend Drake University Law School. While at Law School, Brandon heard and responded to God’s calling to a life of ministry. He soon found himself serving at Johnston Evangelical Free Church as a youth intern. Following this internship, he was hired at Valley Church in West Des Moines as Student Ministries Associate. There he led a vibrant junior high ministry for 3 years. Then, after a reconfiguring of the youth ministry, he was called upon to lead in the creation of a college ministry. Brandon recently graduated from Wheaton College Graduate School with an M.A. in History of Christianity. Brandon and Abbey, his wife of 6 years, live in Beaverdale. His hobbies include writing, reading, and golf.