In the basement, they gathered around pizza and silly games, sang songs and discussed ancient wisdom and timeless truth. There was laughter and seriousness, but mostly laughter. The junior high gathering drew in a random smattering of faces who heard about it through the grapevine. We call the gathering Jason’s House, and here’s why. … More Jason’s House Youth
We have set up an Immigrant Neighbor Crisis Fund to collect donations to go directly to the immigrant families in our partner church. Why? Because we are part of them, and they are part of us. To continue applying the metaphor, “The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” just as the white part of the Body cannot say to the black or brown part, “I don’t need you.” “All of you TOGETHER are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it” (12:27). … More Help Heal Our Hurting Body
I’m a pastor in a multiethnic denomination of immigrants, where my brothers and sisters are being terrorized by ICE raids and growing hostility and fear caused by this administration’s rhetoric and tactics. Our immigrant churches are half empty on Sundays, as families are afraid to leave their homes. No presents are under the tree, and cupboards are growing bare as they are afraid to go shopping. … More Beware of ICEy Conditions
It’s been a year of “radical ordinariness” at MainStreet Covenant Church! Sometimes the most difficult thing to do in times of chaos is to remain settled, grounded, and sane. Who knew sanity would become such a rebellious trait? Here’s a glimpse at the ministry of the past year. Thanks for your support! … More 2025 Ministry Highlights
MainStreet Covenant once again took our Easter service on the road to bless seniors with resurrection hope! This year we did two services at Lake Minnetonka Shores, and was extra special as all three of my kids participated in the service. Peter on the piano, Abby singing, and Isaak reading Scripture. For the message, I did a dramatic reading of my short story, “The Naked Truth About Easter.” Here’s a highlight video. … More Easter 2025 Highlight Video
A space of welcome. An oasis in the desert. A garden where faith, hope, and love can grow. These are some of the aspirations Keri and I have for our 3 acres on Applegarden Road. Toward that end, join us on the hill for live soulful music, words of hope, toe-tapping fun, and good-hearted Minnesota hospitality on August 18 & 25 for Hope on the Hill. … More Join us for “Hope on the Hill”
This Sunday we baptized our son, Isaak David, in a beautiful service under an oak tree next to our chicken coop in our neighbor’s horse water tank. The weather was beautiful, the music was fun, and I was nervous as I shared a message God had placed on my heart for Isaak. Instead a water-themed Scripture, I was led to a desert text where Jacob wrestles all night with God and walks away with a holy hobble and new name. … More Isaak’s Baptism
The next two Sundays (7/21 & 7/28) are a case in point.
In place of our regular Sunday service, the next two Sundays we’ll be meeting “on the trail” for all-church Jesus Walks together. Join us 7/21 at Gale Woods Farm and 7/28 at Big Stone Sculpture Gardens. Let nature help preach the sermon! … More July 21 & 28: Church on the Trail
Today I compare God’s transforming power to a home renovation project, emphasizing the importance of visualization and imagination. Did you know Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones played a pivotal role in the launch of MainStreet? I share how and explore the need for God’s transformative breath to revive and transform souls, and the need for a vivid, colorful vision of God’s desired future for us to enliven dead faith. … More Dry Bones TV Network
In a world where media echo chambers feed us a continuous stream of negative, polarizing political narratives, MainStreet Huddles and Spiritual Direction offer people sanctified echo chambers of grace and truth to help combat negativity and nourish the soul. Read testimonies of the impact of these ministries! … More Echo Chambers of Grace: Testimonies
Summer has faded in the rear view, replaced by the fresh rhythms and possibilities of a new season. A few highlights to celebrate with friends and financial supporters. Speaking of support, a reminder that I am in a new season of raising my own salary like an overseas missionary to continue leading MainStreet Covenant and … More “Listen Up!” Fall Ministry Update
I came across a letter today that I sent to our congregation in January 2020. This was just weeks before our world would be dramatically changed (as well as the church) with the outbreak of Covid-19. We were casting a fresh vision, moving buildings, and turning a new leaf in our journey together. … More Sweet and Sour Church
Kevin Krotzer (far left in photo) passed onto glory on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, around 6pm. Kevin was a special part of the MainStreet family, and he was the dearly beloved of God. Let me share some of my favorite memories of “Uncle” Kevin. … More Remembering Kevin Krotzer
Our MainStreet Covenant matriarch and church grandma, Bonnie Blair, has gone to be with her Lord and Savior. Let me share some of my favorite memories of Bonnie. … More Remembering Bonnie Blair (1940-2023)
Join us Sundays at 5pm as we open the Gospel of John and heed Jesus’ invitation to COME, SEEK, SEE and ABIDE like never before. … More Come, Seek, See & Abide
MainStreet took our Easter service on the road this year to the Senior Living community, while our folks gathered in our living room in a strange yet beautiful Easter we will not soon forget. … More Easter on the Road and in the Living Room
What if we could bring back impetuous Peter from the dead to be the keynote speaker at a New Year’s Church Leadership conference at MainStreet? Would our attendance spike if the famous water-walking apostle was filling the pulpit the next 8 weeks? Would we show up with eager ears and ready to take notes? … More New Year’s Letter: St. Peter’s Last Words
This week we re-launched our very informal “youth group” we call Jason’s House by hosting some organized 10-14 year old chaos at our home. Our newly baptized Peter is old enough to attend, and is eager to invite his friends to learn about Jesus. Peter’s fearlessness to be on stage in front of a crowd … More Holy Rowdiness at “Jason’s House”
What thoughts or feelings do you have when you pass a person on a street corner holding a cardboard sign, asking for help? Do you give them some cash and a smile as you roll by? Do you think, “Why don’t you just get a job?” Do you look the other way, avoid eye contact, and drive away feeling uneasy and conflicted? … More Entertaining Homeless Angels
“We’re living in this moment where we think of pastors as these guys or gals leading religious organizations, preaching on a Sunday for one-hour, but for most of history they’ve been spiritual guides walking with people in a more personal way.” … More MainStreet in the News
From a piece for the local newspaper While the pandemic was bringing many churches to a screeching halt, MainStreet Covenant Church was on the move in 2020—to the lake! MainStreet has moved their ministry to the shores of Lake Minnetonka at St. Martins By the Lake Church in Minnetonka Beach after 7 years in their … More MainStreet: “Gone to the Lake”
Here’s a throwback video from 10 years ago with a basic truth we need to be reminded of regularly. I was preaching mostly to myself in this video. … More Throwback Thursday: “Wind”
After a long time apart, or online, it’s time to come back together for fellowship and worship. This summer is a great opportunity to place weekly worship and Christian fellowship back into your life as “an anchor for the soul” (Heb 6:19). Here’s a preview. … More Welcome Back, Church!
This is a “kairos moment” for the white church and America that I pray doesn’t pass us by leaving us unchanged. … More Pastoral Letter: A ‘Kairos’ Moment for the American Church
This is a teaser from a sermon on the Book of Revelation. This message explores Jesus’ messages to the seven churches mentioned in Revelation chapters 2 & 3, and the messages Christ might have for churches today. Watch full message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwsc9…
Kingdom Harbor 