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Pastor Brian Oberg |
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| Birth Place
- Detroit, MI, July 26, 1958 Education and Degrees Diploma, Orchard View High School, 1976 A.A., Muskegon Community College, 1982 Diploma, B.A., Moody Bible Institute, 1979, 1982 Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1987 D.Min., Trinity International University, 2001 |
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Conversion and Calling I can never remember a time when I did not know the essential message of the gospel. In addition to regular church attendance, I grew up in a strong Christian home where my mother held a weekly children’s Bible club as far back as I can remember. At the age of nine I trusted in Christ as my Savior in a church evangelistic meeting. I was baptized by immersion two years later. I have the full assurance that Christ has saved me by faith from sin and death and that I possess eternal life as the free gift of God. The means the Lord used to direct me into the Christian ministry was practical ministry experience. Specifically, the summer before my senior year in high school, I entered the Christian Youth In Action program of Child Evangelism Fellowship. That was a ten week program of training and teaching Bible clubs all across the State of Michigan. By the end of the summer my life had been dramatically impacted with the joy of ministry. I applied to Bible college at the end of the summer and have desired to be in Christian ministry ever since. The encouragement of pastors, professors, and laymen alike has helped to confirm God’s call on my life. Present Ministry I have been serving since September 1, 2004 as the Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. Bethel graciously called me on June 27 after a wonderful candidating weekend in which God confirmed his leading to both the church and my family. We feel privileged to be part of an active, vibrant congregation that is focused on reaching up to the Lord in worship, out to the world in evangelism, and in to the body in nurture. I love to preach and do most of the preaching on Sunday mornings, but am a share-the-pulpit-kind-of-guy who enjoys being fed from the ministry of others. I work with a wonderful staff of five including the family life pastor, youth pastor, music director and children’s ministry director. In addition, I serve on the Council of Elders and am the elder representative on the worship board. I also co-teach the Evangelism Explosion (EE) training during the Sunday School hour and am active in EE visitation on Wednesday night. Vision and Life Mission The focus of my life’s mission can best be summed up in my Life Mission Statement developed a few years ago as a result of studying God’s priorities for His church. My life mission is: To glorify God by being a fruitful disciple myself, and reaching and developing others into fruitful disciples who produce God’s FRUIT in their lives because they . . . . Fellowship with God’s family by belonging to His church. Revere God’s Name by participating in His worship. Use God’s spiritual gifts by serving His people. Increase in God’s likeness by growing through His Word. Testify to God’s grace by witnessing about His salvation. Personal Information I have been married since 1990 to my dear wife Ellen, who is currently a mother and homemaker. She was raised in Muskegon and graduated from Faith Christian School in Fruitport, MI in 1976. Ellen is actively involved in the Awana Club of our church as a Sparks leader. We have two adopted, Korean children who attend Superior Hills Elementary School in Marquette. Joy is eight and is in third grade. Jay is six and is in first grade. We enjoy camping as a family on our vacations. I enjoy playing on the church softball team and following the Green Bay Packers football team. |
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