Our Staff

A native of Houston, TX, Pastor Mark graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. He then continued to Concordia Seminary and graduated in 2002 with a Master’s Degree in Theology and again in 2011 with a Doctorate Degree. He has previously served at Faith Lutheran in Viera, FL, and planted Hope Lutheran in Melbourne, FL.

Pastor Mark also serves as a Chaplain in the United States Navy Reserve. Currently, Pastor Mark serves at Navy Region Hawaii. He loves the opportunity to serve sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard men while sharing the Gospel. He and his wife Raquel are high school sweethearts, married in 1996, and have three children.

What a wonderful experience it has been serving at Family of Christ since the church opened the Child Development Center in 1998! Every day, Amy is given the opportunity to share her faith with the students, their families, her co-workers, and friends. She truly enjoys serving and is blessed by God to work in the Christ-centered, loving atmosphere here at FOC. Amy treasures being a part of the excitement as these precious little ones learn new things daily.

Not only does Amy have a heart for teaching, she also loves spending time with her family enjoying the great outdoors.

Melinda has been serving at Family of Christ Child Development Center for the past five years. She is passionate about teaching and loves having the opportunity to plant seeds of faith and share the love of the Lord with the children each day. Knowing that she is helping shape the minds and hearts of future generations is something Melinda does not take lightly.

When she isn’t working, Melinda enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their two puppies, soaking in and appreciating God’s beautiful creation.

Katie was born and raised in Brighton, Colorado. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Director of Christian Education (DCE) certification with an emphasis in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry from Concordia University Nebraska in 2011. In May 2026, she received her Master of Arts in Christian Formation from Denver Seminary.

Katie is in her 14th year as a DCE and has a passion for working with students and supporting them as they grow in their faith and relationship with Jesus. Throughout her ministry, God has led her to serve at two different churches in Kansas before bringing her back to her home state of Colorado.

In her free time, Katie loves going on walks with her dog, Cruze, cooking for others, and watching movies.

Emily was born and raised in Sycamore, Illinois, and her family still lives there! She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Spanish with minors in Family Studies and Mental Health from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA. She finished that degree and then moved to Colorado Springs to pursue her master's degree in leadership with an emphasis in Student Affairs in Higher Education. She is passionate about using the gifts that the Lord has given her to lead and guide the next generation of children and learners as they experience new things throughout their journey in life. When she's not working or studying, she loves hiking and exploring the mountains, drinking a good cup of coffee on her couch, and building her community of new friends here.

Sonja serves as Director of Children & Family Ministries at Family of Christ, where she enjoys partnering with parents and creating spaces where children and families can grow in faith together.

Originally from Minnesota, Sonja is the youngest of nine children. She earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Concordia University Wisconsin and a master's degree in Reading Education from Governors State University. Her experience includes teaching children from preschool through middle school, as well as several years at home raising her two daughters, Annika and Atanaska.

Outside of ministry, you'll usually find her spending time with family, walking her dogs, or happily crafting her next project.

Amanda was born and raised in Emmetsburg, Iowa.  She holds a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics from Iowa State University, where she also met her husband, Dusty.  Together, they have two sons.  In 2016, their family relocated to Colorado Springs and has been actively involved at Family of Christ ever since.

Amanda has found great joy and fulfillment in volunteering with the Children’s Ministry and considers it a true privilege to be a member of the staff at Family of Christ.

Paul was raised in the Chicago area before graduating from the University of Michigan with a BSE in Engineering Physics.  Paul spent many years as a consulting director overseeing complex technical projects for large telecom companies.  After far too many years of business travel, Paul walked away from that career to focus on raising two amazing kids, Oni and Micah, along with his wife Sonia.  Paul has been responsible for all technology at FOC since 2013, as well as leading the security program since 2011.  Paul enjoys shooting sports, riding ATVs, Kempo Karate, and being humbled by large game animals every Fall.

Dean was born and raised in Northglenn Colorado, and is a true native. Dean has been married to Christine for 48 years and they have 2 children (Jenny and Cassie) and 4 grandchildren. He received his Bachelor's degree in accounting from Univ of Phoenix and his MBA from Regis University in Denver. He spent 25 years as CFO for a large commercial greenhouse and most recently 7 years as an oil and gas accountant. When not working him and his wife spend time hiking, golfing and playing with the grandkids. Dean loves the fellowship working at Family of Christ as the Accounting Manager.

Karissa grew up on her family’s farm in West Texas. She met her husband Jordan in 2001 while attending Eastern New Mexico University, and they were married in June 2004. Together they have four children!  Karissa received her Associates of Science in Agriculture from ENMU in 2007, and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from UCCS in 2011. She loved being a stay at home Mom for 15 years getting to be home with her children and participating in their activities. Karissa and her family have been attending FOC since 2011.

In her free time Karissa enjoys watching her children dance and play sports, participating in her children's activities, sewing, family time, homeschooling her four children, and camping at LVR on their lot.

Jenny was born and raised in Thornton, Colorado. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from CCU and has worked with children for many years. In 2010, her and her husband helped plant a church in Texas, and so began her love for working in ministry. Since then, she has been on staff administratively in multiple churches and is excited to be here at FOC! Her husband and 2 children moved to the Springs in July of 2023 and love exploring all that it has to offer.

Amy grew up in an Air Force family, so she moved often. She spent her formative years in New Jersey and Texas. She considers Colorado Springs home as she’s lived here since 2006. In 2003, Amy graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Mathematics and a BA in Economics. Following college, she served in the Air Force at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas and Peterson, AFB in Colorado Springs. While in the Air Force, Amy earned a Master’s degree in International Relations. After the Air Force, she worked as the Administrative Assistant of her previous church for 12 years. In 2011, she married Dan. They have one son, Roland, born in 2014.

Amy and her family began attending FOC in December of 2024 and are so grateful for the warm welcome and friendly congregation! In her free time, Amy enjoys hiking, camping, paddleboarding, and creating art and jewelry for the store.

Hello, my name is Jeremi (with an “i”) Richardson, and I’m honored to be joining the team here at FOC. Originally from Tennessee, I’ve called Colorado home for over a decade. I’m a preacher’s kid turned professional musician (after first planning to become a pediatrician!). I hold a master’s degree in music and have been a professional musician since 1998—alongside my wife of 24 years, Amy. We’re raising three confident and brilliant daughters: Ariah, Shalom, and Noa.
 
I come to FOC, with more than 30 years of experience in worship and music ministry, and I count it a true privilege to help curate the soundtrack of how people experience God. When words fail, music often remains—and it’s a sacred responsibility to lead others into deeper encounters with Him through song. Outside of worship, I’m most at home in the sun (I love summer!)—writing books, exploring new coffee shops, cheering for the Broncos, or embracing the quiet rhythm of Sabbath. I believe in the holiness of rest, the dignity of hard work, and the sacred power of authentic connection.

Katy Mariotti has been the Choir Director at FOC since 2016. Katy has a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), and she taught Middle School Choir for nine years before having her first baby and leaving her position to spend more time at home as a mom. Along with directing the wonderful FOC Chancel Choir, Katy works as a music director for musicals at local schools. And has the honor of singing with the Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble. Katy also has an MA in creative writing from Regis University.

In her spare time, she enjoys singing, reading, writing, watching movies, and bright colors! But since she’s a mom of three beautiful kids, she mostly spends time taking care of them and hanging out with her husband and High School sweetheart, Dan.