Meet the Team
Dr. Mark Hale
Lead Pastor
As the Lead Pastor, Dr. Mark Hale serves as the primary teacher on Sunday mornings. Pastor Mark is a 30 year ministry veteran who is passionate about God, family, and the church. Along with a handful of people, he and his wife planted Thrive in 2007.
Growing up outside Detroit, Michigan, Mark, his parents and three older brothers became true followers of Christ in 1986. That conversion was followed by God calling Mark into full-time ministry. He followed that call and prepared for ministry by attending Olivet Nazarene University, Asbury Theological Seminary and completing a Doctorate at Nova Southeastern University. Mark married his college sweetheart, Lisa, and they have shared their life together for the past 32 years. They have four grown children, a cat named Joanie, and Maggie the best golden retriever in the world.
Emily Erickson
Worship and Youth Pastor
Emily grew up in Williston, North Dakota, and moved to Minneapolis to attend North Central University in 2017. She recently graduated from North Central with a Music Pastor, B.S. She met her wonderful Husband, Caleb Erickson, while at North Central. Emily moved to Grand Forks on August of 2021 and loves the community!
Kristina
Cornelius
Co-Director
Children's Ministry
A military spouse and mom of two, adventures all over the country with her family (husband, daughter-6, and son-3). They’ve lived in New Hampshire, California, Nebraska, Texas, and are now blessed to call Grand Forks, North Dakota their home. They enjoy the kind people and amazing community.
She has a love for Jesus and a passion for spreading the gospel wherever she lives.
Larisa
Solseng
Co-Director
Children's Ministry
Larisa is a mother of 3 and is a Kindergarten teacher for Park River Area Schools. She and her husband, Cole, have been attending Thrive Grafton since its launch in September of 2017.
Micah
Hale
Co-Director
Children's Ministry
Micah grew up in the Grand Forks area and has been involved with Thrive from the get-go. Today, he works full-time as a pediatric doctor of physical therapy at a local clinic. When not working his day-job, Micah gears his passion for kids toward ministering and teaching about God’s love for them as a co-coordinator of Kids Matter Ministries. He truly loves pointing children toward Christ using the gifts God has blessed him with!