Pastoral and Administrative Staff:
Steve Thompson – Pastor
Steve was one of the founding elders of Mount Zion Church in 1985. He was a math teacher in the Red Lake School School District before being called to pastor the church in 1995. He is a Vietnam vet, and also a veteran of Bemidji’s “Friday Night Fellowship” in the heyday of the charismatic renewal in the 1970’s. He’s been married to Candy since 1969; she worked as a nurse before “retiring” in order to serve the church alongside Steve. They have two children and three grandchildren.
Rocky Coffin – Pastor
Rocky worked for 30 years as an advertising copywriter and graphic artist for a radio broadcast/marketing company. He also pastored a small country church for seven years; before that he was an elder of Christian Life Fellowship in Bemidji, and a student ministry leader on the campus of Bemidji State University. His wife Kelly taught kindergarten in a small Christian school for 20+ years and currently teaches part-time as an Early Childhood Parent Educator; she coordinates our Children’s Church program and oversees various aspects of our building. They have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and two granddaughters.
Bob McKeown – Worship Director
Bob is a semi-retired elementary school teacher. He plays guitar and leads our worship team (but would rather play the drums). He has written many worship songs. His wife Kathy is a substitute teacher and freelance photographer; they have three sons, three daughters-in-law, and a passel of grandchildren. In the past, Bob and Kathy and their sons performed together as the McKeown family band, with a repertoire of oldies pop songs.
Wanda Willard – Office Administrator
Wanda also does bookkeeping and administrative tasks for a business in Bemidji, and helps oversee their large extended family with her husband, Bruce. They have six sons and daughters-in-law, with numerous grandchildren and some great-grands. Wanda also plays keyboard for the worship team.
Mt. Zion is privileged to have many mature believers in our congregation who are capable of leading in various capacities and teaching from the scriptures. Currently two of these are featured in recurring roles:
Gary Gilbertson grew up as a missionary kid, was saved during the 
Jesus People movement of the late 60’s, jumped into ministry experiences during the charismatic revival at Bemidji State University in the early 70’s, was a founding elder of Christian Life Fellowship in Bemidji from 1978-1990, and later served many years as an elder at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Bemidji. Gary’s passion is in-depth Bible study; see the fruit of his labors dissecting passages in 1st Corinthians 11-14 in the “Accurately Handling the Word of Truth” sessions recorded on our Youtube channel.
David Winter was saved in the Jesus movements during the early 70’s in Florida, and came to Bemidji in the 2010’s. He’s worked as a private contractor in house painting and bathtub repair, been employed at Menards, and driven for Medi-Van the last few years. David is a long-experienced Bible study leader & small group teacher who brings mature insights to our Adult Sunday School each week.