Counselor
Rev. Dr. Mark Hannemann
Rev. Dr. Mark Hannemann serves as the director and counselor for Good Friend Ministries. He is a licensed Mental Health Practitioner and Licensed Professional Counselor, as well as a Certified Life Coach. Mark has served congregations in South Dakota, Michigan, and Nebraska. He has also served as a Lutheran high school chaplain and instructor, an adjunct faculty member at Concordia-Nebraska, and director of a Christian counseling ministry in St. Louis. He currently serves as President of GracePoint Institute for Relational Health that he co-founded with his son, Justin, in 2012, based in Omaha, NE, a non-profit Christian counseling and consulting ministry that specializes in care for church workers. He is married to Sandy and they have four children and fourteen grandchildren. He enjoys the outdoors, traveling, writing, and spoiling the
grand-kids.
Director Of Spiritual Care
Laura Bauer
Laura Bauer is the Director of Spiritual Care at Good Friend Ministries. She holds an Elementary Education degree and a DCE certification from Concordia University Chicago, as well as deaconess certification from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Laura is pursuing dual master's degrees in Spiritual Care (Concordia Seminary) and Professional Clinical Counseling (Concordia University Wisconsin). With over twenty years in the Traverse City, Michigan area, she supports pastors and their families alongside her husband, Rev. Jason Bauer, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Interlochen, MI. They have four children. Laura has spoken at numerous district events and retreats, contributed to planning The Katie conference for pastors' wives, and enjoys outdoor activities, Bible journaling, and writing. Her articles have been featured by 1517.
As Director of Spiritual Care at GFM, Laura organizes retreats for pastors and clergy couples, managing retreat resources while adapting programs based on individual needs. She offers a listening ear for discussions along with her husband Jason as they walk alongside pastoral couples like themselves, providing friendship, prayer, and support.
Pastoral Care Assistant
Jason Bauer
Pastor Jason Bauer is the sole pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Interlochen/Traverse City, Michigan. With a background in Christian education and pastoral care, he focuses on preaching, teaching, and mentoring families and young people.
He earned his Director of Christian Education (DCE) certification from Concordia University Nebraska and began his ministry at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Since 2004, Jason has served at Redeemer Lutheran Church, supporting worship, Bible studies, youth ministry, and community outreach.
Jason has been a chaplain at Michigan District LCMS Junior High Youth Gatherings and program director at Camp Arcadia, combining outdoor activities with faith-building. He and his wife Laura have four children and are active in the Northwest Michigan community, enjoying camping, hiking, biking, and swimming.
Known for compassionate care and heartfelt sermons, Pastor Jason is dedicated to teaching God’s Word and encouraging service centered on Christ. At GFM, he serves as Pastoral Care Assistant, offering prayer, support, and friendship to retreat visitors.