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Trailhead Church Pastor To Leave For Job In Iowa
Author: MT 43 News Staff Reporter

Trailhead Church Pastor to Leave for Job in Iowa

MT 43 News Staff Reporter

Pastor Mark Roelofs preached his last sermon on Sunday, September 8 at Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church. He leaves a thriving church congregation of around 300 people along with a $ 1 million new addition to the church building.

In an interview, Pastor Mark said he and his wife, Beth, thought long and hard about leaving but felt it was a calling they could not ignore. They will be leading a newly-started Southern Baptist church in Manchester, Iowa. Located about two hours northeast of Des Moines, Manchester has about the same population and farming culture as Townsend. Roelofs are both from northwest Iowa.

Pastor Mark came to Trailhead Church in 2018 from a Spokane church where he was a pastoral resident in training. He had previously served in two other churches. He has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the Christian school University of Northwestern Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Pastor Mark said his greatest accomplishment at Trailhead Church has been to put in place three elders, men who serve as part-time preachers and full-time counselors and advisors to the pastor. This arrangement, which was voted on by the full membership, has allowed the church to grow with leadership, he explained. Assistant Pastor Clay Muinzer will take over the pulpit for a period of time. Levi VanZee and Tom Eliel serve in the other two positions.

Trailhead Church was formed around the idea of being a nondenominational church in 2001 by Nelson and Suzie Wert and friends. Pastor Mike Dexter led the church for several years. When Pastor Mark began serving, he said his biggest challenge was helping the congregation to stay unified around the gospel. “We all have different beliefs and come from so many different backgrounds and religions, so it was hard sometimes to stay focused on Bible-based teachings,” he said.

Pastor Mark elaborated on the strength of the church’s core membership. “I know the core group of the congregation will stay strong in this transition, as they have before. I feel the congregation will grow even more with the opening of the addition. The leadership is there to keep welcoming elementary, middle school and high school youth groups to use the new gym and social spaces. The sky will be the limit with these important ministries in Townsend.”

Pastor Mark’s wife, Beth, served as a music teacher for Townsend Elementary School for one year. “She loves getting the kids to sing and loved going to high school sports!”

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Image 1 Caption: Pastor Mark Roelofs preaching at Trailhead Church Nancy Marks, MT43News Photographer