Mark Opseth,  Executive Director   

Mark Opseth is the founder and Executive Director of Ministry Outfitters. He is an ordained pastor with over 22 years of ministry experience, having served in a variety of roles (senior pastor, executive pastor, interim pastor, associate pastor, youth pastor, consultant and trainer), in a variety of settings (established churches, church plants, camps, parachurch ministries, and training organizations), and in a variety of denominations (Christian & Missionary Alliance, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Non-denominational). Mark has gifts in encouragement, administration, and teaching, along with a passion to support ministry leaders by helping them prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:12).

We invite you to contact Mark to see how Ministry Outfitters can be of assistance to you in your particular ministry: 952-221-3730 or mark@ministryoutfitters.org

Mission & History 

The mission of Ministry Outfitters is to support pastors and strengthen ministries.  We accomplish this through coaching and encouragement, training and equipping, and hands-on ministry assistance.

The concept of Ministry Outfitters was born out of 20 years of experience in working in church ministry and seeing first-hand the struggles that ministry leaders face on a daily basis, particularly those pastors in smaller congregations.

The majority of churches in America are led by one pastor who is often expected to fulfill a wide variety of functions: preacher, teacher, counselor, shepherd, friend, youth pastor, children’s pastor, worship leader, and secretary, not to mention that of husband/wife and parent. Too often these solo pastors are lonely and discouraged, missing out on the opportunity to be supported and encouraged by other staff members. These churches do not have the means to hire additional staff, but they still have the duty to minister to the needs of the congregational members. If we can support and build up these pastors, their church members and community will be supported and built up.

It is out of this experience and understanding that God has raised up Ministry Outfitters to be a support to pastors and to help strengthen the ministries they serve.

What We Believe 

We believe there is one God (Deut 6:4; Mk 12:29; 2 Sam 7:22, Is 43:10) who has no beginning nor end (Rev 1:8), consisting of three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:16-17).

We believe that Jesus is God in human flesh, who did not cease to be God when He entered this world, and who did not cease to be human when He was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven (Phil 2:5-11; Col 1:19).  We believe that Jesus will return for His bride, the Church (Jn 14:1-6).

We believe that apart from Christ, we are dead in our sin. We are in need of the work of the Holy Spirit to bring us under conviction of sin (Jn 16:8), lead us to the saving knowledge of Jesus (Jn 16:33), give us life (Rom 8:11; 1 Pet 3:18), empower us to live for and be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8) and to bestow upon us gifts to be used for the building up of the Body (1 Cor 12:7; Eph 4:11-12).

We believe that all scripture is “God breathed’ (2 Tim 3:16) and established through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:21).  We believe the Bible is without error (2 Sam 22:31) and completely trustworthy (Ps 119:412); scripture is our only source of truth for living out our faith in Jesus, correcting us when we sin or wander into deceptive philosophies (2 Tim 3:16-17).

We believe that just as Christ’s death has brought about victory over sin, Christ’s resurrection has brought about victory over the grave (1 Cor 15:55-57), giving those who trust in Jesus the assurance of eternal life (Jn 11: 25-26; 1 Jn 5:13).

Board of Directors 

Ministry Outfitters is a 501(c)(3) corporation and operates under the authority and guidance of the following directors:

Pastor Bill Kuhn                Chairman

Pastor Mark Opseth          Vice-chair

Jeff Rankin                       Secretary

Sue Westphal                   Treasurer

Peder Eide                       Member-at-large

Client Comments 

Last Wednesday Mark Opseth of Ministry Outfitters presented “The Welcoming Church” to our Frontline ministry personnel and leaders.  Mark exceeded my expectations for the two hour seminar.  He was very articulate and engaging in his style.  The content based on the word RELATE was concise and to the point.  Through his teaching, word pictures and role play activities, all those in attendance left with a relational and evangelistic conversational tool firmly embedded in their memories.  Several of those in attendance thanked me for inviting Mark.

I would highly recommend Mark to any church wanting to step up to the plate as a Welcoming Church.

Pastor Brian Harris

Trinity Evangelical Free Church

Lakeville, MN

Over the years, I have attended several highly extensive evangelism and leadership training programs. For the most part, they were expensive and soon forgotten.

We had Mark Opseth of Ministry Outfitters come in with a leadership training that focused on connecting with church visitors.  He taught us a method of reaching out to people which was far simpler, yet infinitely more effective than any other I had learned before.  What made it so unforgettable was how he handed out the tools and soon had us practicing with them one on one.  

In a matter of an hour or so, Mark activated a room of reserved and introverted people with powerful communication tools that I know will change the face of our church for the better.  There was an excitement and a confidence instilled in us through the equipping ministry of Mark Opseth.  I highly recommend him to any church looking to become more effective for the Kingdom of God!

Pastor Steven Vaughan
Frontline Church
Maplewood, MN
 

Ministry is fraught with complexities, challenges, and heavy schedules.  It is easy to feel fragmented and distracted and the need is for humble assistance and care.  It is with this in mind that I recommend the special ministry of Mark Opseth and Ministry Outfitters.  

Mark has a unique ministry and calling. His sensitive and humble style makes him a joy to work with and his vision to help those in ministry is a special niche in ministry. With so many pastors feeling overwhelmed and burnt out due to the intensity of contemporary ministry, Mark’s call extends hope and renewal for the local pastor. His ability to encourage through words and warmth has restorative power.

I am glad to call Mark a friend and compatriot in ministry and trust that your involvement in his ministry will find equal blessing.  Please feel free to contact me if you have more questions.

Pastor Bill Kuhn
Formerly of Hope Church
Apple Valley, MN