Staff

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod North Dakota District Staff

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod North Dakota District is blessed to have a staff who are truly dedicated to Christ and accomplishing His will. Following are brief bio's of our District Staff.

Rev. Mark Chepulis

District President

Rev. Mark Chepulis grew up in Hardin, Montana, where he attended Redeemer Lutheran. After graduating from Hardin High School in 2000, he attended the University of North Dakota for a year and a half before transferring to Montana State University–Billings, where he graduated with a BA in music. 

In 2006, he began his seminary studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He served his vicarage at the dual parish of Pilgrim Lutheran–Quimby, Iowa, and Trinity Lutheran–rural Marcus, Iowa. He was called to Our Savior Lutheran–Cavalier, ND, and St. Paul Lutheran–rural St. Thomas, ND, and graduated from seminary in 2010. In 2013, began serving as the vacancy pastor at Redeemer Lutheran–Langdon. In 2015, the three congregations entered into a tri-parish agreement, and he was installed at Redeemer that same year.

He married Amy Sandhurst in 2009, and they have been blessed with four children: Katherine, Eli, Caleb, and Lucia. Rev. Chepulis enjoys spending time with his family, as well as tuning pianos when he has the time. 

email: pastor.chepulis@nodaklcms.org

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Rev. Mark Chepulis grew up in Hardin, Montana, where he attended Redeemer Lutheran. After graduating from Hardin High School in 2000, he attended the University of North Dakota for a year and a half before transferring to Montana State University–Billings, where he graduated with a BA in music. 

In 2006, he began his seminary studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He served his vicarage at the dual parish of Pilgrim Lutheran–Quimby, Iowa, and Trinity Lutheran–rural Marcus, Iowa. He was called to Our Savior Lutheran–Cavalier, ND, and St. Paul Lutheran–rural St. Thomas, ND, and graduated from seminary in 2010. In 2013, began serving as the vacancy pastor at Redeemer Lutheran–Langdon. In 2015, the three congregations entered into a tri-parish agreement, and he was installed at Redeemer that same year.

He married Amy Sandhurst in 2009, and they have been blessed with four children: Katherine, Eli, Caleb, and Lucia. Rev. Chepulis enjoys spending time with his family, as well as tuning pianos when he has the time. 

email: pastor.chepulis@nodaklcms.org

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Tami Ulland

Business Manager


Tami grew up in rural Willow City on a farm, and attended Immanuel Lutheran Willow Creek where she was baptized, confirmed and married. She graduated from Willow City High School, North Dakota State School of Science (where she attained an AS in Computer Programming), and the University of North Dakota where she earned a BSBA in Business and the rights to belong to the “Sioux Forever!” club. Tami and her husband, Doug, have three grown children, and one grandchild. They live in Minto and attend Zion English Lutheran Church in Grafton. Previously, Tami worked for the City of Minto, Harriston Industries, and the State of North Dakota. She has worked for the LCMS North Dakota District since 2017. Tami’s favorite pastimes are reading, traveling, spending time with her family, and cuddling her grandchild.

email: tami.ulland@nodaklcms.org

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Tami grew up in rural Willow City on a farm, and attended Immanuel Lutheran Willow Creek where she was baptized, confirmed and married. She graduated from Willow City High School, North Dakota State School of Science (where she attained an AS in Computer Programming), and the University of North Dakota where she earned a BSBA in Business and the rights to belong to the “Sioux Forever!” club. Tami and her husband, Doug, have three grown children, and one grandchild. They live in Minto and attend Zion English Lutheran Church in Grafton. Previously, Tami worked for the City of Minto, Harriston Industries, and the State of North Dakota. She has worked for the LCMS North Dakota District since 2017. Tami’s favorite pastimes are reading, traveling, spending time with her family, and cuddling her grandchild.

email: tami.ulland@nodaklcms.org

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Kurt Primuth

Lutheran Church Extension Fund District Vice President

Kurt Primuth is a passionate sports enthusiast and outdoor lover with a deep connection to his family. A lifelong Packers fan, Kurt enjoys watching football, equine and rodeo events, fishing, and golfing. In addition to outdoor adventures,  he dedicates time to reading and volunteering at church. With a love for staying active, professionally and personally, Kurt embraces every opportunity for growth and adventure.

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Kurt Primuth is a passionate sports enthusiast and outdoor lover with a deep connection to his family. A lifelong Packers fan, Kurt enjoys watching football, equine and rodeo events, fishing, and golfing. In addition to outdoor adventures,  he dedicates time to reading and volunteering at church. With a love for staying active, professionally and personally, Kurt embraces every opportunity for growth and adventure.

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Tana McKenna

Executive Administrator

Tana grew up in Montana but has been a North Dakotan since she met her husband Brian in college. They raised their family of two boys in Gwinner and just recently moved to Mapleton. Tana was a stay-at-home mom, para educator, the parish assistant at Zion Lutheran in Gwinner, and the executive administrator of Higher Things before joining the staff of the District Office. In her spare time, she loves to be at the lake with her family and work on projects with her husband.

email: tana.mckenna@nodaklcms.org

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Tana grew up in Montana but has been a North Dakotan since she met her husband Brian in college. They raised their family of two boys in Gwinner and just recently moved to Mapleton. Tana was a stay-at-home mom, para educator, the parish assistant at Zion Lutheran in Gwinner, and the executive administrator of Higher Things before joining the staff of the District Office. In her spare time, she loves to be at the lake with her family and work on projects with her husband.

email: tana.mckenna@nodaklcms.org

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Dana Otto

Communication Manager

Dana, a native of St. Charles, Missouri, is a 2020 graduate of Concordia University Nebraska, where she met her husband, Rev. Vince Otto. In 2024, they moved to Bismarck, North Dakota, when Vince received his first Call to serve at Zion Lutheran Church. She is a certified Director of Christian Education (DCE), and is passionate about helping people of all ages grow in their faith. Her past experience includes a variety of educational and administrative roles with churches and ministries across the country. She finds great joy in making communication clear and information accessible to everyone connected to the LCMS North Dakota District.

You can reach Dana with any questions, suggestions, or submissions for our District publications (eNews, UpNext, Lutheran Witness District Insert, social media, or this website) at news@nodaklcms.org.

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Dana, a native of St. Charles, Missouri, is a 2020 graduate of Concordia University Nebraska, where she met her husband, Rev. Vince Otto. In 2024, they moved to Bismarck, North Dakota, when Vince received his first Call to serve at Zion Lutheran Church. She is a certified Director of Christian Education (DCE), and is passionate about helping people of all ages grow in their faith. Her past experience includes a variety of educational and administrative roles with churches and ministries across the country. She finds great joy in making communication clear and information accessible to everyone connected to the LCMS North Dakota District.

You can reach Dana with any questions, suggestions, or submissions for our District publications (eNews, UpNext, Lutheran Witness District Insert, social media, or this website) at news@nodaklcms.org.

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