Pastor Mark Pavola

Lead Pastor | Email Mark

Mark has been attending Bayside since September of 2008. He married “way up” 15 years ago when Andrea mysteriously said yes. They currently live in Mark’s grandparents' house which is two blocks from the house he grew up in (Yes, they are the only two places he’s ever lived - what a homeboy!).

Their offspring include one full-blown boy – Andrew, and two Cinderella daughters – Tirzah and Selah. Family life includes food, food, and food. Mark loves to grill – anything is better on the grill! The staff keeps plenty of food on hand in case he gets hungry because they have learned that a hungry boss is a crabby boss.

Mark and his family are wonderfully excited about being a part of the body at Bayside.

  • Restaurant he wishes would open in Superior: Chipotle
  • TV show that he takes guilty pleasure in watching: The Biggest Loser
  • His definition of "breakfast of champions": An omelet, oatmeal, and an apple
  • Favorite subject in school: Gym
  • Favorite store: Whole Foods Coop
  • If he joined the circus, he would be: The Ring Master

Pastor Thomas Bush

Youth Pastor | Email Thomas

Tom has been the youth pastor at Bayside since 2006. He and his wife Sarah moved here from St. Cloud, Minnesota. Tom was born in Canada and has lived in seven states. He and Sarah have two boys, Garrison and Josiah, and one girl (Aza, a 90 pound chocolate lab). They live in the White House (even though it is now a tan shade of brown) and enjoy the beautiful views of the Lake Superior marina in East End.

Tom loves to coach and play soccer, and he enjoys butterfingers and ice cold fountain Pepsi. The favorite part of his self-proclaimed 'best job in the world' is hanging out with the students of Bayside, which includes, but is not limited to, his attempts of re-living his glory days on the basketball court.

  • Restaurant he wishes would open in Superior: Taco Bell (mostly for Sarah, but also for me so I don't have to drive so far to satisfy her cravings)
  • TV show that he takes guilty pleasure in watching: October Road
  • His definition of "breakfast of champions": A granola bar
  • Paper or plastic: Plastic; I recycle them as doggy bags for my walks with Aza
  • Favorite store: Scheels
  • If he knew he would not fail, he would: Run for President of the USA
  • Weirdest food he's ever eaten: Some sour Middle Eastern dessert candy thing which was all mashed up and stringy, but kind of like a fruit roll up

Debbie Love

Office Administrator | Email Debbie

Debbie is a life-long resident of Superior and became a member of Bayside (then Ogden Avenue Baptist Church) in her teens – more years ago than you care to know. She and her husband George have three grown children: Dustin who is currently serving in the Army on his second tour in Iraq; Mitch (wife Amanda and infant son Riley) who is an electrician in Grand Forks, North Dakota; and daughter Dani who is a Junior at UWS as an Elementary Ed Major.

Debbie loves her new role as Grandma, knowing that children are truly a blessing from God. She has been known to be a little over enthusiastic about this new role in life!

Debbie enjoys golfing (though her golf and bowling scores are very similar), floating on her raft at the lake with a good book, and occasionally beating George at cribbage (though this rarely happens). She also enjoys the winter snow and cross-country skiing.

She is driven by a passion to serve others, to encourage them in their walk with God, and to lift them in prayer before our mighty God.

  • Restaurant she wishes would open in Superior: Chili's
  • TV show that she takes guilty pleasure in watching: The Office
  • Her definition of "breakfast of champions": Eggs, bacon, pancakes, and melon served at the cabin!
  • Favorite subject in school: Chemistry
  • Favorite store: I HATE to shop, but if I must - either the Dollar Store or Good Will
  • Weirdest Food she's ever eaten: Octopus
  • If she joined the circus, she would be: A clown

Ruth McCotter

Communications | Email Ruth

Ruth has been attending Bayside since moving to Superior against her better judgment in 1996. She and her husband Phil have four children (Shane, Falyn, Philip, and Aubyn), one daughter-in-law (Joanna), three dogs (all pomeranians), and a good vacuum.

Ruth enjoys homeschooling, sudoku and logic puzzles, clearance sales, and watching people search through her candy dish for the good stuff. Although Ruth's house is only blocks away from Bayside, she is regularly late for the 9:15am service.

After four short-term mission trips to Ukraine, the McCotters hope to one day be in full-time ministry there. Until that happens, Ruth enjoys spending her time working with the Young Adults' Group at Bayside.

  • Restaurant she wishes would open in Superior: Chipotle
  • TV show she takes guilty pleasure in watching: The Office
  • Favorite beverage: Diet Coke from the McDonald's on Tower & 21st
  • Her definition of "breakfast of champions": Filled Krispy Kreme donut and a diet Coke
  • Favorite subject in school: Any kind of math
  • If she joined the circus, she would be: The lion tamer
  • Craziest thing she's done in ministry: Brushed and swished teeth with someone else's cracker and M&M backwash for a youth skit

Shane McCotter

IT | Email Shane

Shane was dragged to Superior against his will in 1996 and has been attending Bayside ever since. While in Pastor Tom's office one day he spotted a picture of Tom's very cute sister-in-law whom he began emailing. Two years later, in June 2009, he married Joanna and is enjoying the married life. He is currently in his last year at UWS before he travels up to Yooper country for two years at Michigan Tech University to finish a major in Mechanical Engineering.

If he’s not tinkering with computers or spending time with family/friends, Shane is usually found hunched over his school books going crazy. He also enjoys his time playing sports…yes, Foosball is a sport.

  • Restaurant he wishes would open in Superior: Boston Market
  • TV show he takes guilty pleasure in watching: The Office
  • Favorite bands: House of Heroes, Children 18:3, Underoath, Planetshakers
  • Favorite subject in school: Math, Physics
  • Favorite store: www.newegg.com
  • Favorite website: www.tomshardware.com or forums.pcper.com
  • His definition of "breakfast of champions": A bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, toast with peanut butter, milk, and orange juice