Pastor and Staff
Mark Johnsen
Pastor
Pastor Mark is a second (or more accurately fourth) career pastor. Before he began vocational ministry he worked as a District Executive for the Boy Scouts, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, and Branch Manager of a bank. After attending a Walk to Emmaus Retreat, Mark felt a call to begin seminary and received a Master of Divinity degree from Sioux Falls Seminary. For the first six years of his ministry, he worked alongside his wife Lisa as a youth director in a large church setting. Then after his ordination, he served as lead pastor in three different communities before being called to the Brookings United Church of Christ. Mark is thrilled to now lead this congregation in living out their faith within our community. In his spare time Mark enjoys hiking, biking, travel, and engaging people in conversation.
Jennifer Kemper
Office Administrator
Jen grew up in a small UCC church in Erwin, SD and is grateful for the memories she has of that congregation. She credits Brookings United Church of Christ with saving her life and she believes it is important for our church to continue be here for the next person who comes needing emotional and spiritual support. She loves the fact that even though we are a small church, we do a lot to help others. She began attending BUCC when it was a church plant meeting within Medary Elementary. Jen then became the treasurer in 2016 and began helping in the office a year or two later. She now serves as office administrator while also serving as treasurer on the church council.
