Missions
Missions of Bergen
Dirk and Sarah Stadtlander - missionaries serving in Linguere Senegal West Africa
In February 2007, Bergen started support of new Missionaries. Pastor Dirk Stadtlander, wife Sarah, and daughters Eva and Ellen became missionaries for Bergen serving in Linguere Senegal West Africa. Their last visit was to St. Petri in Story City where Bergen and St. Petri members were invited to a BBQ and a presentation by Dirk and Sarah.
Tim and Paula Tjernagel - missionaries serving in Spain
http://tjernagelspain.blogspot.com/
Tim Tjernagel, son of Loren and Sherry Tjernagel of Roland, was called to be a missionary in Spain. Bergen wanted to offer some financial support to Tim and his wife Paula and their family so in 1999 (?) Bergen added a line item in their budget for this cause. Tim is very dynamic in sharing stories of their life in Spain and how hard it is to win lives for Christ in such a modern country. Bergen members are always glad to see Tim and Paula when they are in Roland.
Update from Tim:
Hi Friends! Just wanted to give a quick update on our Veggie Tale VBS. Our teammate, Betsy Stoltzfus and the members of EL PUENTE Church have done a great job organizing this outreach that we’ve done for 5 years now in our neighborhood, right behind the church. We’ve been getting anywhere from about 40-70 kids each night and we’ve had some great opportunities to share the love of God with parents and kids. Tonight is our final night with a pizza party to end everything. Pray that we’d have quality conversations with parents and for boldness for all of us church members to make the most of every opportunity to share Christ. Thanks for praying for this important event!
PS. I’m attaching a photo that one of our members sent me that includes Paula and I in a sketch that we did. Yes, the fool who is wearing the LarryBoy Super Hero costume with plungers coming out of his head is me!!
- Tim Tjernagel
GROW (Get Renewed on Wednesday)
GROW - "Get Renewed on Wednesday" (a local program) is an afterschool program for children in grades 1-5. All kids are invited to come to Bergen after school and hear a Bible Story, do a craft, have a snack and play games. The goal of the program is to "build relationships with Christian people and learn about Jesus Christ while having fun".
Bergen ELCA (synod)
Yearly budgeted allocation supports several missions thru ELCA - local, national and global.
WELCA
(Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America)
Allocates monies raised thru fundraisers to many different missions. Also has "Dorcas Days" workday every February to make quilts, bandages, layettes, school kits, cut stamps, and much more - see WELCA tab for photos and further info.
Bethany Life Communities in Story City
Bergen is a member church of Bethany Manor. We help support them through financial contributions, prayer, and volunteerism.
Bethany Life Communities is a thriving environment committed to enriching the lives of our community members. Bethany Life provides real solutions with a full range of retirement living and care services for you and your family - to live life to the fullest. They provide independent living housing options to fit any lifestyle, assisted living facilities for those who can no longer live alone and skilled care for others who need more personalized care.
Riverside Bible Camp in Story City
Bergen has been a partner member of Riverside Bible Camp since it's beginning. We encourage our youth to attend Camp and help with their expense the first year they attend. We offer financial contributions, prayer and help in caring for the camp.
Riverside's purpose is to provide a Christ-centered camping experience to children and adults of all ages. This experience is based on salvation by God's grace alone through faith in Christ alone. Being Christ-centered means making it Riverside's aim to present Christ in EVERY aspect of life at camp - including prayer, singing, fun, crafts, games, free-time, Bible study, eating, campfires, skits, and much, much more! Riverside acknowledges that all of life can be worship, and it is to this end they strive.
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
Bergen assists at the Food Pantry in Story City by accepting food donations from Bergen members and delivering them to the Food Pantry. We are also on a Saturday work rotation with other area churches. The Food Pantry is located at 510 Pennsylvania in Story City - they are open on Saturdays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.
FORMER MISSIONS
Angel Tree
Angel Tree thru Prison Ministry- buying Christmas gifts for children whose parent(s) are in prison (approx 1998 - 2007)
Missionary - In 1962, Bergen voted to support Rev. Harold Mundschenk, his wife Ruth and their children, who went to Cameroun, Africa to be missionaries. Bergen members came to be good friends with the Mundschenks through their yearly visits back in the U.S. The Mundschenck family would come and share information about their life in Africa and how they shared the word of God with people in such a diverse culture. Bergen continued to support the Mundschenks until they retired in 1995.
