Mark Kernan
Seasoned Senior Pastor with 18 years of experience in congregational leadership and 2.5 years of involvement in international theological education.
Committed to spreading a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. This commitment entails a desire to help believers and unbelievers see Jesus Christ as their Sovereign, Savior, and Satisfier so that they will joyfully pursue Him in all things: edifying the local church through their gifted service, loving the broken, and spreading the good news of the Gospel to both our neighbors and the nations.
Expertise in expository preaching, vision casting, devising strategies to fulfill ministry vision, team leadership, collaborative problem solving, personal discipleship, leadership development, theological education, and cross-cultural ministry.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
International Trainer:
Training Leaders International, Minneapolis, MN
Sept. 2014 – July 2017
- Direct ministry operations in northern Myanmar.
- Nurture and expand relationships with national partners. Coordinate curriculum translation, trip details, and oversee ministry budget.
- Lead short-term teams to teach Biblical exegesis and expository preaching to local pastors.
- Recruit, interview, mentor, and assess short-term team members.
- Develop and refine TLI’s core curriculum.
- Edit and revise existing curriculum. Design and write replacement material to achieve stated objectives.
- Design staff certification standards for core curriculum competency: Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology, Expository Preaching.
- Proof, edit, and contribute to “The Journal of Global Christianity.”
Lead Pastor:
Berean Baptist Church, Kodiak, Alaska
Nov. 2004 – June 2013
- Developed ministry priorities in collaboration with church leadership team and cast vision to congregation. Designed and executed strategies to achieve short-range and long-range spiritual and organizational goals and objectives.
- Planed worship services and special events with staff, worship team, and lay leaders.
- Prepared and delivered weekly sermons. Designed long-term preaching calendar to serve congregation’s spiritual formation.
- Oversaw adult education and discipleship.
- Coordinated small groups and adult Sunday School with lay directors.
- Taught “Foundations of the Faith” courses, small groups, and membership and baptism classes.
- Recruited, mentored, and empowered lay leaders for ministry.
- Provided pastoral care including hospital, shut-in, bereavement, and funeral visitation; performed premarital counseling; directed assimilation of new members and military families.
- Administration:
- Supported, supervised, and managed staff, ensuring they had adequate resources to fulfill their duties and responsibilities; coordinated weekly staff meetings.
- Evaluated ministries and adjusted to meet current needs.
- Coordinated strategic planning and oversaw operating budget with leadership team.
- Championed funding of and participation in cross-cultural missions.
Youth Pastor:
Berean Baptist Church, Kodiak, Alaska
May 1995 – Nov. 2004
- Developed, organized, and implemented Jr. and Sr. High youth ministries.
- Taught, counseled, and discipled youth. Mentored and empowered student leaders.
- Recruited and mentored lay leaders.
- Planned and lead youth retreats and short-term ministry projects.
- Evaluated ministries and adjusted to meet current needs.
- Assisted senior pastor in planning Sunday worship services, organized music, lead worship team, and preached as needed.
EDUCATION:
Bethlehem College & Seminary – Minneapolis, Minnesota Aug. 2013 – May 2017
M.Div. Biblical Exegesis – May 2017.
Th.M. studies concurrent with M.Div. but currently unfinished.
Corban University – Salem, Oregon Sept. 1989 – Dec. 1993
B.S. Intercultural Studies (Missions) – May, 1994.
Tacoma Community College – Tacoma, Washington Jan. 1988 – May 1989
Engineering Studies – no degree earned.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Licensed Minister: Bethlehem Baptist Church Minneapolis, MN – May 2016
Prepare-Enrich premarital counseling workshop – June 2015
ASSIST suicide intervention workshop – January 2012
SERMON VIDEO:
Note: Sermon texts provided by host churches.
Bethlehem Baptist Church: Minneapolis, MN
- Matthew 18:23–35 https://bethlehem.church/sermon/the-heart-of-forgiveness/
Redeemer Bible Church: Minnetonka, MN