Meet The Leadership

Peter grew up in the Chicago suburbs watching the Cubs (some would say that is one rough childhood!) and aspiring a career in sports broadcasting. He graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU) in 1995 with a degree in Radio-TV-Film, but within a couple of years he was led by God into full-time ministry.

Peter joined the staff of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fort Worth, TX, in 1997 where he started a ministry to college students. Over his 22 years on staff at St. Paul he served as Director of Adult Ministries, interim Director of Worship, and as the School Chaplain in St. Paul Lutheran School.  In 2005 he led St Paul into multi-site ministry, as St Paul launched a satellite campus, the Summit, in a public school 20 miles west of the St Paul campus in the city of Aledo. Peter served as the Campus Pastor for the Summit from 2005-2019.  Late in 2019, Peter accepted a Divine Call to serve as the Campus Pastor at Concordia Preparatory School and as Mission Developer for a new Towson Area Mission (now called NewThing).

Peter is married to Amy, an academic advisor in the school of education at Notre Dame of Maryland University, and they have three sons (Andrew-21, Caleb-18, Jonathan-17). He has a deep love for people of all ages and seeing them grow in their relationship with Jesus. He is amazed at how much God has blessed him through his marriage, his family, his church and school relationships over the years, the athletic teams he has coached, and through the ministry that God has entrusted to him.

Contact Peter at petercouser@newthing.live or 817-992-1708

Mark was called to NewThing to help launch the NewThing Mission Training Hub and to teach part-time in the Theology department at Concordia Preparatory School in 2025. Originally from Mayer, MN; just west of the Twin Cities. Mark was raised in a church-work family and grew up immersed in Lutheran education. He earned his degree in Middle-Level Education from Concordia University Nebraska.

Mark first came to Baltimore in 2018 for student teaching at Concordia Prep, and by January 2019, he joined the staff full-time, teaching Math (as a 3rd generation Math Teacher), Social Studies, and a variety of other courses. He also assistant directed several CPS theater productions and helped launch the livestream ministry during NewThing’s early days as a church plant.

In Spring 2021, Mark said goodbye to Baltimore to pursue his Master of Divinity at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Four years later, only God knew he’d be called back to Baltimore, now to serve as a missionary pastor in the greater Baltimore area and return to the Concordia Prep classroom.

Mark is passionate about discipleship and helping people walk with Jesus in their everyday lives. He loves gathering around good food, experimenting in the kitchen or at the grill, and seeing how God works through everyday moments. He’s excited for how God will move through the NewThing Mission Training Hub as congregations, leaders, and disciples walk together to scatter Gospel seeds and see renewed growth in the Baltimore area.

Mark is married to Paige, and together they have two daughters, Maria and Ava, who keep life joyful, busy, and full of wonder.

Contact Mark at markesser@newthing.live or 612-720-6179
Request Pastor Mark to come preach at your church.