Jeremy L. Berg

A couple weekends ago, I grabbed my iPhone 8 (yep, a few models behind) and mini-tripod and drove north to Lake Superior with a singular goal of capturing some video for a little “Welcome Video” for the front page of my newly branded (still tweaking) Kingdom Harbor website.

I was envisioning myself with Lake Superior behind me and a lighthouse in the distance, talking about the purpose of Kingdom Harbor. I figured I could work up a “script” on the drive up. I struggle terribly to commit ideas to paper, and have embraced, for better or for worse, an impromptu and off-the-cuff style of sermonizing and teaching.

The weather on this last weekend of August in Minnesota was spectacular, and I didn’t factor into my plan the fact that half the state of Minnesota would be heading north one last time before school starts! This would make finding a quiet place to video difficult, if not impossible.

I stopped first in Two Harbors, and captured some initial shots of the pier and lighthouse. I asked for permission to go into the area by the lighthouse to do a little video “for my church,” and the lady said I would need permission from the director who would not be available for a few days. Never mind.

“I’ll just head up to Split Rock Lighthouse,” I said. I was on my way after a quick shot of the red lighthouse you’ll see in the video.

Now, Split Rock is the picturesque light house on the north shore, but also the busy tourist destination. It was packed. I paid $12 admission just to get within viewing distance. I climbed down to the beach and found the perfect spot. So perfect that everyone else was also there. So much for privacy.

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Then providence paved the way.

On this beautiful sunny day, a patch of clouds suddenly rolled in and the sky opened up momentarily with some light sprinkles. But heavy enough to clear the beach while I took shelter under some trees. Less than 10 minutes later, the beach was empty and I was alone with the view. It was video time.

I put my tripod on a rock, and hurriedly recorded the raw takes that I edited into the little welcome video below. You can see rain drops on my dark blue shirt if you look closely. You may be able to see signs of a father and daughter snorkeling in the background, too. I think it turned out decently, given my time constraints and coming up with my script on the spot, in the moment.

The Ephesians 4 passage urging Christians to grow up into Jesus-shape maturity in order to stop being “tossed to and fro by every wind and wave of teaching” is central to my sense of calling in this moment, and for my writing and podcasting at Kingdom Harbor. We are living in a moment in our culture where we desperately need Kingdom-minded, biblically-anchored voices getting their message out to those who are adrift on the seas of partisan thinking and ideological insanity, and using the “Sunday pulpit” is not going to be enough.

 “And he himself gave [the church] … pastors and teachers … to build up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God—a mature person… So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching… But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ.”

EPHESIANS 4

In the coming days, I am trusting God to raise up a financial partners to come help fund my online ministry efforts at Kingdom Harbor. I want Kingdom Harbor and the Anchor Podcast to be a lighthouse in the midst of our cultural and political storms, providing Jesus-shaped perspectives and a safe harbor for spiritual seekers and the spiritually homeless who are disenfranchised with the church but looking for a more Jesus-shaped Christianity.

In order to extend my ministry beyond the walls of my church, I am seeking financial support outside the church from those who benefit from my teaching ministry and who would prayerfully consider becoming a monthly supporter beginning as low as $10/month to help me keep creating Jesus-shaped, biblically-anchored content.

I don’t have online giving set up, but shoot me an email if you want to be added to the list of potential monthly supporters. I’ll get in touch when its set up. Thank you for your readership, listenership, and support!

Now enjoy the fruit of an afternoon on the north shore in this video.