PRESS RELEASE - March 1, 2008 ChurchHealth is pleased to announce that as of January 1, 2006 Leona Bergstrom will be returning to her primary role as Director of the Center for Lifetime Ministry, based in Edmonds, Washington. She has recently been serving as the Director of Senior Community Programs for CRISTA, based in Shoreline, Washington. Richard and Leona will continue to speak and offer seminars nationally through the Center for Lifetime Ministry, a ministry of ChurchHealth. Together they direct the ministry of 2nd Half for Himfor the Baptist General Conference. PRESS RELEASE - JANUARY 20, 2005 ChurchHealth is pleased to announce that Richard Bergstrom has taken a half-time position on the staff of Northshore Baptist Church in Bothell, Washington as Pastor of Second Half Ministries. His focus will be on developing ministries within the three stages of older adult ministry: 1) mid-life (ages 50-65; 2) retired life (ages 65-80) and senior life (ages 80+). He formally begins his duties there on February 1, 2005. In this capacity, Richard will be able to work locally in the field of age 50+ ministry, to which he and Leona have devoted themselves. They will continue their broader involvements in the Baptist General Conference 2nd Half for Him Ministry <http://www.chonline.org/bgc> as well as working with other denominations holding workshops and conferences to provide inspiration and practical training in midlife and older adult ministries. PRESS RELEASE - JANUARY, 2003 ChurchHealth is pleased to announce the formation of the Center for Lifetime Ministry. The Center will be developed and directed by Dr. Richard & Leona Bergstrom of ChurchHealth, in partnership with a number of denominational bodies and academic institutions, including seminaries. Several regional training seminars took place during the Spring of 2003 throughout the Pacific Northwest to serve as a launch for this Center. See the REPORTS page of this website for details from these "Unleashing the Power of Age in Your Congregation" seminars. These seminars took place within a one day format. The Center for Lifetime Ministry will also be developing an intensive training model which can be planned for 1-3 day events in any location. This model is having a major impact upon denominational equipping strategies for preparing a new generation of leaders in older adult ministry.The Bergstroms are under contract with the Baptist General Conference (BGC) to develop the equipping strategies for their national Second Half for Him Ministry. Their pilot training was held in February of 2004 in Phoenix and is now being taken in to each of the thirteen districts of the BGC. The Center for Lifetime Ministry will also be seeking to develop a broad based curriculum that can be used to prepare a new generation of Christian leaders to minister to an increasingly older population. This curriculum may be offered over the course of an academic year or in more concentrated sessions within a one to two week period. The Bergstroms have been pioneers in the development of materials related to older adult ministry. Their book Amazing Grays: Unleashing the Power of Age in Your Congregation has been used in a variety of denominational settings as a handbook for senior adult ministry. Several denominations have used the Bergstroms to provide training in older adult ministry. Reports from these training events are available online. They contine to direct the older adult ministry arm of the Columbia Baptist Conference, the N.W. District of the Baptist General Conference. Endorsements: The rapidly growing number of adults aged 50+ provide a real ministry and outreach opportunity for today’s church. Dick and Leona Bergstrom have combined years of ministry experience, technical training and a passion for senior adults to assist local churches in stepping up to meet the challenge. Their seminars are designed to equip local church leaders to develop a customized ministry plan to impact their church and community. We are benefiting greatly from their work and I heartily endorse their ministry. My encounter with Richard and Leona Bergstrom began shortly after the publication of their outstanding book, Amazing Grays, was published. As a new director of senior adult ministries in my denomination I was looking for something that I could use and the Bergstroms’ book was my ticket to better understanding of how to craft this position. Since that time I have had the opportunity to meet them and also using them for teaching leaders of my constituents. Their perception of ministry to, for and with senior adults is excellent. Not only do they bring the theory of working with seniors, but also the practices of working with this bulging age group. I would highly recommend Richard and Leona Bergstrom. |
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