Staff Team

Andrew Peterson

Lead Pastor

The Petersons (Andrew, Brittany, Avery, Judah, and Oakley) moved to SLP to start CityVision Church (now Park Community Church) in August of 2012.

Andrew and Brittany met at Crown College, where Andrew received a B.S. in Youth Ministry and M.A. in Christian Studies, while also serving on the pastoral staff at a church in the west metro for seven years.

Andrew is passionate about declaring the Word of God and seeing God’s kingdom advanced through the establishment and multiplication of the local church. Andrew & Brittany love their kids, family, friends, neighborhood, baseball, nachos, and TV.

Ben Brandt

Pastor of Music & Ministry Development

ben@parkmn.com

Ben and his family moved to the SLP area in 2013 to help launch the church plant that merged to create Park Community. His primary roles at Park are overseeing Music, Ministries, and Operations. He loves coming alongside ministries and leaders to help them flourish.

Ben grew up in Grand Marais and met his wife, Jenni, during his years at Bethel University where he received a BA in Sacred Music. They like each other, and their three kiddos, Ellie, Claire, & Bjorn, and their dog, Daisy, and this church community. Ben also enjoys eating, hiking, and songwriting.

Kyle Wiens

Pastor of Community Life

kyle@parkmn.com

Kyle is a Minnesota native, growing up outside of Rochester, MN. He graduated from Winona State University and Denver Seminary with his master’s degree in Youth and Family Ministries.

For over twenty years, Kyle has served as a youth pastor. He has loved developing students, leaders, and families, and was honored to walk their faith journeys together. He is excited to stretch into the role of discipleship and the ministry of Park Community Church.

Kyle loves being in nature, enjoying coffee with a friend, hanging out with his family, and being part of the community through local theater productions. Kyle has been married to his high school sweetheart, Stacy, for 27 years and together they have two daughters, one son-in-law, two crazy dogs, and one cat (who accepts them periodically).

Lauren Schierloh

Kids Ministry Director

lauren@parkmn.com

Lauren and her family moved to the Minneapolis area from Oklahoma in 2018. Shortly after, they found Park Community Church where they were welcomed with open arms. Lauren graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Elementary Education and taught 2nd grade for 6 years.

Lauren has served in multiple ministries within Park including Hospitality, KidsPark, assisting with coordinating Moms Connect, Wedding Coordination and most recently Ministry Assistant. She is very excited to be able to continue serving Park through her new role as Kids Ministry Director.

Lauren lives in Eden Prairie with her husband, Joel, and two boys, Cooper and Brecken. When not at home taking care of her boys, Lauren enjoys teaching barre fitness classes, going on walks, organizing spaces, and sipping coffee.

Trent Senske

Director of Spiritual Formation

trent@parkmn.com

The Senskes (Trent, Laura, Audrey, Eva, Isaiah, Jude, and Ivy) joined Park Community Church after 7 years of church planting in South Minneapolis. On the regular, you will find them making up silly songs, frequenting their local urgent care, playing too much soccer, and enjoying summertime at the lake.

Trent is passionate about connecting the gospel to real life, developing leaders in/beyond the church, and walking with others toward maturity in Christ. For the next year, he will serve as the Director of Spiritual Formation — working to provide clarity and structure to make more disciples of Jesus marked by intimacy, authenticity, and simplicity.

Kelly Bjerkaas

Ministry Assistant

kelly@parkmn.com

Kelly has lived in the Twin Cities since her college years but grew up in Little Falls, MN. She graduated from North Central University with a B.A. in Business Administration. She has enjoyed being able to work from home for a few different companies since having children.

Kelly and her husband, Nate, were part of the church plant that merged with Park Free and have lived in St. Louis Park since 2009. She has enjoyed helping the people of Park Community Church through her role as Ministry Assistant.

Kelly and Nate have four children. She loves spending time going to Americana/folk concerts, swimming, reading and spending time with friends.

Ginnie Rajcula

Communications Coordinator

ginnie@parkmn.com

Ginnie grew up in a small town in northwestern Minnesota and moved to the cities to pursue her undergraduate degree at Bethel University. She graduated in 2021 with a B.A. in Communications. Shortly after, Ginnie began attending Park Community Church with her sister.

Ginnie has served as a youth leader with ParkYouth since the fall of 2021, and throughout the past year has volunteered to do childcare for women’s bible studies. She has enjoyed getting to know the families of Park through her time serving.

Ginnie lives in Bloomington with her husband, Jake, and their bernedoodle, Olive. The two of them enjoy camping, going to trivia with friends, and cheering on the Minnesota Twins. In her freetime, Ginnie enjoys grabbing coffee with friends, embroidering, and tending to her ever-growing plant collection.