Pastor Mark Tiefel
Email:  Mark Tiefel

EDUCATION

B.A. – Martin Luther College (2005)
M.Div. – Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (2010)

EXPERIENCE

Vicarship (Ministry Intern) – Holy Word: Austin, Texas (2007-2008)
Senior Assistant – Grace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2009-2010)
Associate Pastor – Abiding Word: Houston, Texas (2010-2013)
Pastor – Abiding Word: Houston, Texas (2013-present)

MINISTRY PHILOSOPHY

It is a great honor to shepherd the members of Christ’s church here in Houston. The gospel empowers God’s people to do amazing things.  I look for ways to open eyes to the riches of God’s Word and to encourage them to understand their place in the body of believers. I appreciate Martin Luther’s perspective:  “I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. The Word did everything.”

FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES

Ephesians 3:8 –  “Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ.”

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Listening to music…cooking with family and friends…collecting books… reading history and theology.

Deaconess in Staff Ministry Marilyn Miller
Email:  Marilyn Miller
Education

B.S. in Mathematics – University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse
M.S. in Computer Science – University of Houston
Staff Ministry Certification – Martin Luther College

Experience

Various management consultant and leadership roles in the energy industry
Chairman, WELS Women’s Ministry Committee, 2008 to present
Deaconess – Abiding Word Lutheran Church, 2007 to present

Personal Philosophy Statement

I pray I will always view each day as a precious gift from God, that each day I see the many opportunities to share the gospel and to serve others, that I have the courage to respond to those opportunities, and that I continually seek to do God’s will with all that he has given me.

Favorite Bible Verses

Isaiah 43:1 – “Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine.” and Jeremiah 29:11 – “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”

Personal Interests

Traveling… history and historical sites… cooking… learning new things… reading… public speaking

Administrative Assistant Krista Patton
Email:  Krista Patton