In 1990 Pastor Wilkens received a B.A. degree in Theology from Valparaiso University. In the fall of that year he began his studies for the Office of the Public Ministry at Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis. In the spring of 1994 he received a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary. He was ordained June 5, 1994 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Parma, Ohio. In June 1994, he was installed as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pontiac, Illinois. He served there until May 1998. In June 1998 he was installed as Assistant Pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Independence, Ohio. He served there until October 2001. On November 4, 2001, he was installed as the sixth pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Kohler, Wisconsin. He served there until 2006. From November 2008 until May 2010, he served as Vacancy Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, School and Child Care.

Pastor Wilkens was married to Kim Kerpan on August 10, 1991 in Waukegan, Illinois. They met at Valparaiso University, and in 1989 she received a B.A. degree in Psychology. Kim has supplied Mark with much support and encouragement. They have two sons and one daughter: Adam who is fifteen, Kevin who is fourteen, and Katie who is ten.

Mr. Reinl began his teaching career in 1988, teaching in the Catholic School system of Oshkosh as a 6-8 grade teacher. He attended and fulfilled the role of Education director of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oshkosh before accepting the role of Principal at Trinity Lutheran School in August of 1998.

On July 25th, 1988 he was married in Green Bay, WI to Kathleen Lynne Rynish. They have been blessed with two children- Alex and Megan.