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
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)
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
Is MainStreet a worthy investment?
Almost a decade into the MainStreet journey, we have story after story of lives impacted through this ministry. The best way we can thank everyone for their support and celebrate God’s grace among us is to share these stories. … More New Ebook Celebrates MainStreet Impact
MainStreet is a church is worth investing in because they are meeting people where they are and helping them move forward with Christ. MainStreet is small, but they are mighty, and I am just one story. Without MainStreet my story would have been very different. … More Amanda’s Story
What an amazing privilege to lead a community where lives are being impacted! Just came across this video from a while back and wonder what new “impact stories” we’ll be sharing in the near future. Been thinking about checking out MainStreet sometime? This Sunday, November 3, is 2020 Vision Sunday. Come worship with us at … More 2020 Vision Sunday
“These men who are turning the world upside down have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” (Acts 17:6-7) I spent some years as a youth pastor in a larger established church running a big youth program … More Plotting Revolution at Jason’s House
Shannon’s first time at MainStreet was attending her 36-year old brother’s funeral. Few words were exchanged that day but I (Jeremy) could tell she was weighed down by more than brother’s passing. I ran into her sometime later and she informed me that she was going into treatment to get sober. I promised to pray … More Shannon’s Story
We heard a quiet knock on the front door. It was snowing and the steep and treacherous driveway was nearly impassable. We had almost cancelled our Lifegroup gathering that night due to weather, but decided to meet just in case God had special plans for the few people who did brave the elements that evening. … More Galen’s Story
MainStreet has made such a huge impact on my life since I’ve been participating the last 2 years. We are a close knit community that strives to live life as Jesus taught. Pastor Jeremy is really a shepherd in the true Christian sense. With transparency, a strong faith, and the ability to guide others to expand their … More Nancy’s Story
A powerful way to approach the Scriptures is for a person and/or community to settle down into a story or passage long enough for it to begin to work its way into you. Some texts burst into your life like fireworks and neon lights. Others quietly sneak into your imagination and begin to reorient your … More Jericho Inn Church
This Thanksgiving season we’re celebrating God’s work among us. Here’s Bonnie’s story. I cried after my first visit to MainStreet, mainly because I knew immediately that God had something special in store for me with this family of believers. My time at MainStreet has deepened my faith and taught me so much about being a … More Bonnie’s Story
She’s always bringing sweets to share. Maybe it betrays her own sweet tooth, but I think it reveals a sweet and giving heart. Yet, the story of how Tina started coming to MainStreet is much more bittersweet. I (Jeremy) heard the sad news on a snowy February day almost 3 years ago. Tina’s son … More Tina’s Story
We’re GIVING THANKS for lives impacted at MainStreet this past year! This is Tony’s story: For a long time I was hardcore cynic who didn’t find any value in the church. I walked away from faith in college. I mainly saw hypocrisy in the church and had never encountered any depth or true discipleship. I … More Tony’s Story
Jesus’ mission prioritized the marginalized and neglected people of his day. He didn’t send out his apostles—i.e., “church planters”—saying, “Go ye therefore to the sprawling suburbs and invite the upwardly mobile dual income families with children.” He said, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” (Luke 14:21). Would you try growing a church with such folks? … More Funding the Jericho Inn: A MainStreet Update
Its been about 7 years since I stood on the stage of the Little Theater at my old high school, sweating bullets as I tried to rally folks around a vision of a new kind of church. The church’s name, if it ever got off the ground, would be “MainStreet” because of our desire to … More Seven Years of Light
During Advent in 2013 we examined Psalm 23 in a sermon series entitled Who’s Your Shepherd? It remains one of my favorite series we’ve done to date. I contended that when we let God be the guide, or shepherd, directing our lives and influencing our decisions, He leads us to green pastures of the “abundant … More MainStreet Memories: Who’s Your Shepherd?
Here’s another favorite MainStreet moment as we celebrate our anniversary this January. Enjoy! I’m continually amazed looking back at the MainStreet journey to realize just how unprepared and unformed I was as a pastor to be attempting such a significant task. I marvel that the Covenant and Northwest Conference would invest so much time, energy … More MainStreet Memories: Stripping Off the False Self
On our anniversary this January, I’m sharing some favorite stories from the early days of planting MainStreet. Enjoy! Preachers make a living with words, and so we’re all too aware of the old adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Equally as powerful as a picture is some dramatic participatory theater or a … More MainStreet Memories: Over Our Heads
On the occasion MainStreet’s anniversary this January, I’m sharing some favorite stories I’ve written down for a forthcoming book documenting the MainStreet journey. Enjoy! In September of 2011 we were preparing for our first monthly preview worship service at the Gillespie Center. I remember that spring looking at our small, tired launch team and saying, “Well, … More MainStreet Memories: Crown Connection
On the occasion of our 6th anniversary, I want to share some favorite memories from a book I’m working on documenting the MainStreet journey. Enjoy! Church planting is not for the faint of heart. It is frontline missionary work with a high casualty rate. More church plants fail and than succeed. Many wide-eyed dreamers set … More MainStreet Memories: Across the Lake
Every January we celebrate MainStreet’s birthday. On the occasion of our 6th anniversary since launching weekly worship in January 2012, I want to share some favorite memories from a forthcoming book documenting the MainStreet journey. Enjoy! In the summer of 2010 we were given the green light by the Northwest Conference and Church Planting Director, … More MainStreet Memories: God’s List
God continues to make MainStreet a place for “new beginnings” and a place where amazing grace is proclaimed and experienced. Brandon was a freshman at Crown College back in 201o when we were just beginning to gather a launch team to start MainStreet. He performed at our open mic event for youth and I had … More BRANDON’S STORY: A Cry From the Pit
Jeremy L. Berg 