The Rev. Dr. Jeremy Berg is the founding and lead pastor of MainStreet Covenant Church in Minnetonka Beach, MN, where he has served since 2010. He is an adjunct professor of Biblical and Theological Studies who has taught classes at Bethel University, University of Northwestern—St. Paul, North Central University, Crown College, and Solid Rock Discipleship School. Jeremy earned a doctorate in New Testament Context under Scot McKnight at Northern Seminary (Chicago). He and his wife, Kjerstin, have three kids, Peter, Isaak and Abigail.
This Sunday I will be doing a dramatic reading of my short story, “The Wood and the Viper,” at Brookdale Covenant at 9:30AM to wrap up our series in Acts. Trapped aboard a grain freighter during a violent storm, Paul acts as a spiritual leader to his fellow prisoners and crewmates by sharing Hebrew stories and messages of faith. … More The Wood and the Viper
I got into character and dramatized my short story “The Lucky Tale of Eutychus” at Brookdale Covenant this past Sunday. This is part of my Untold Tales series of books. I’m amazed watching my kids take the stage in school plays and musicals. It’s taken me until my late 40s to have the guts to do it. So, here I go. “Break a leg!” … More My Dramatization of Eutychus
A sneak peek of my new album coming soon. The album is a coming of age odyssey of spiritual awakening and young love. Two romances unfold in simple, unpretentious lyrics that reveal my new found faith in college. Silly, sappy love songs tell the story of falling in love with Keri. Plus a few new songs from a more travel weary, middle aged troubadour with plenty of life’s mud on his boots. … More New Album Teaser
In this study, Jeremy explores the Bible’s narrative through musical metaphors, depicting the Holy Trinity as a joyful dance that leads to creation. He illustrates sin as cosmic dissonance and Christ as divine melody, guiding readers towards harmony with God. The series aims to unify biblical stories into a coherent narrative, inviting personal engagement. Watch video overview, buy book and download study guide for group and individual use. … More The Father’s Song: The Symphony of Scripture
We spent August designing an 18-hold disc golf course on our property. It’s a legit course with maps and yardage on each tee pad and we even invested in some baskets. This week we’ve had dozens of high schoolers at our home trying it out. Saturday I’m hosting a little “DISCipleship Golf” event where we’ll play some holes and discuss faith lessons along the way. Enjoy photos and a summary of my five lesson study. … More DISCipleship Golf: Navigating the Fairways of Faith
This week beautifully displays the kind of everyday “ministry” and creative outreaches I am doing in this season of ministry. It’s a kind of impact that doesn’t show up in church growth metrics, but it is lifestyle evangelism and what it means to be a salt and light pastor leading a salt and light church at MainStreet. Here’s a glimpse! … More A Banner Week
What a wild week we’ve had in the news around the future threat of AI. If you’re not wondering if the robots are about to take over, you’re living under a rock. If you’re not a bit uneasy, you’re maybe not fully human (wink, wink). But what to do about it? … More AI and the End of Humanity?
Every once in a while I like to share what kinds of content and conversations I’m digesting. In a world of fear-mongering news headlines and outrage politics, I urge us all to balance our diet with more meaningful conversations rooted in ancient wisdom and Jesus-shaped faith. I hope you will check out some of these recent conversations I have found illuminating and nourishing. … More What I’m Listening to These Days
A couple summers ago, God used music to pull me out of a depressive funk. I picked up my guitar and started doing oldies concerts at senior campuses. I thought it would remain an occasional side hobby playing other people’s music. Then last summer I began jotting down some song lyrics of my own. Melodies soon followed. This spring I had an idea: why not revisit the songs and poems buried in my journal from college and early 20s, and set them to music? … More I’m Recording An Album!
In 2024, the U.S. resettled 29,000 Christian refugees from the 50 most persecuted countries. In 2026, the U.S. has resettled ZERO persecuted Christians despite the Trump administration’s rhetoric of being friendly to Christians. “By their fruit you will know them,” Jesus would remind us again. Read this latest report from World Relief. … More America’s “Golden Door” Slammed Shut
A significant transformation is anticipated in North American churches over the next few years, says Pastor Mike Glenn, potentially leading to the closure of 30-50% of congregations. Generational shifts reveal decreased trust in institutions and a preference for direct giving to impactful initiatives. Small groups will gain importance, with homes becoming new centers of worship and community. … More The Coming Tsunami (Mike Glenn)
Here’s a complete show I recently performed at Beacon Hill. I often sneak in a mini-sermon. In this show I performed Neil Diamond’s song “Play Me” and shared a personal testimony saying, “Since giving my life to Christ I have tried to be an instrument in God’s hands, to let God use my time, talents and treasure for His purposes. In a word, to let God play me.” Check it out! … More Full Concert: Diamond Cat
In this sermon on Acts 17, Jeremy emphasizes the need for humble engagement with Scripture and highlights two key truths: the demand for allegiance to Jesus over worldly affiliations, and the necessity of reaching out beyond church walls to connect with people in everyday settings. … More Acts 17: We’re Not in Berea Anymore
I could write for days about the deep appreciation Keri, the kids and I have for Dolly Parton. But I wouldn’t know where to start or where to end. I’ll just keep singing her songs and sharing them with others. But I think Dolly’s universal appeal and peerless winsomeness had a lot to do with … … More A Tribute to Dolly Parton
We just hosted another “Hope on the Hill,” which is our end of the summer Super Slip ‘n Slide potluck and neighborhood outreach. This year we had 30+ people drive out from Brookdale Covenant Church. Juli painted the scene with water colors and I shared the following short reflection. … More Hope on the Hill 2026
Enjoy a glimpse of what happens in our garage every once in a while. My 11-year old Abby was bringing it! … More Daddy-Daughter Garage Jam
Jeremy discusses how Jesus redefines satisfaction beyond physical needs, emphasizing that true nourishment comes from fulfilling God’s will. It contrasts modern materialistic comforts with spiritual fulfillment, urging readers to recognize spiritual opportunities often overlooked due to distractions. Fasting is presented as a practice to clear vision and prioritize divine purpose. … More Bread of Obedience
When I sneak off alone for getaways, the experience usually boils down to lots of reading, hiking, browsing used bookstores, playing some golf and finding the best pizza in town. On those fronts, this getaway in Two Harbor was a home run. I’ll keep my words short, and let you enjoy my watercolor photos from the trip. … More Retreat at Burlington Bay
I recently preached at a multiethnic worship service, emphasizing the Church’s role in fostering unity amid diversity. I referenced Pentecost as a model for celebrating ethnic identity as a gift rather than a barrier. My message highlighted interdependence among cultures within the Body of Christ, urging growth towards understanding and love. … More ‘The Most Excellent Way’: Multiethnic Church
Jeremy examines Daniel’s story in Babylon, highlighting themes of cultural resistance and integrity. Every day, we are presented with two competing menus. One is the “table of empire,” which offers the intoxicating but ultimately depleting fare of partisan vitriol, material acquisition, and the crushing weight of social conformity. The other is the table of Jesus, which offers a different kind of plenty—one that satisfies the soul without demanding the sacrifice of one’s integrity. … More Bread of Empire
The message emphasizes a shift from relying on material security, or “Monthly Bread,” to embracing daily dependence on divine providence, symbolized by “Daily Manna.” It contrasts the opportunistic crowds seeking miracles with true discipleship that requires surrender and trust in Jesus as the source of eternal life, not merely as a provider. … More Bread of Heaven
Passing along the newsletter I received this week from Matthew Soerens, the National Coordinator for the Evangelical Immigration Table. I’m grateful for Evangelical organizations such as the Evangelical Immigration Table and the National Association of Evangelicals, just to name a couple, who continue to speak up and call for true Jesus-honoring, Biblically grounded action on the behalf of the least of these. … More What Will Become of 50,000 Children?
The Anchor Podcast has been quiet for a long time, but today I dropped a special midsummer episode. I share a brief personal update on my ministry, book project, and new album of original songs I’m recording. After a fascinating “Deep Dive” on one of my spiritual heroes, E. A. Skogsbergh, I share a sneak peek of a new song from my album. You don’t want to miss that teaser! … More Podcast Special: A Spiritual Hero & An Original New Song Teaser
I took my oldest son to see The Odyssey this past weekend. I wasn’t prepared for the morality of the Law of the pagan god Zeus to sound so much like the Law of Moses (at least in this interpretation). The film had a very timely moral “Christian” message from the lips of a pagan that many would-be Christians need to hear in these days of amoral and immoral politics. … More The Odyssey: Christian Morality and the Law of Zeus
This sermon by Jeremy explores the biblical account of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, to provide spiritual guidance for those enduring hardship. Pastor Jeremy emphasizes that when individuals are overwhelmed by “the spirit of fear” or physical suffering, they should emulate Stephen by gazing toward heaven rather than turning to worldly distractions. A central theme is the imagery of Jesus standing at God’s right hand, suggesting that Christ is not a passive observer but an active, supportive presence during times of crisis. … More Acts 6-7: Standing with Stephen in Hardship
