Getting to know: Jeff Berg
Jeff was born in Enid, Oklahoma and grew up there until heading off to college to play football and sing in the university concert choir at Ottawa University. He had accepted Jesus at Falls Creek in 1992, but realized under the discipleship of Chris Creighton, head football coach and mentor, that he wasn’t “all in for Jesus.” He wanted more…to be radically obedient to Christ. Upon leaving Kansas, a short adventure followed from back packing Scotland to singing for the Royal Family of England but concluded back in Missouri at a place he holds dear to his heart: Kanakuk.
In the summer of 2002, Jeff began a 15-month program called the Kanakuk Institute, an accelerated seminary program for youth and family ministries. It is in this year where life “plans” were thrown out, when Jeff met a gal who was recovering from a shoulder surgery (playing college volleyball at the University of Tulsa) and thus donned corn-rows on her head. From meeting Courtney in September things moved pretty quickly, as Jeff asked her to marry him in January of 2003. They were married August 16, of that year, and began full time ministry at a local church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma two weeks later.
Their ministry grew from the inside out when they delivered a healthy baby boy named Jackson in June 2005, and very shortly after a little girl named Creighton in November 2006. Though having multiple kids under two was quite enough, Courtney earned ‘super-mom’ status while Jeff finished a Master’s Degree in Youth and Family that same year. As ministry would continue to grow, so would their hearts for more children and adoption. Shortly there after the Berg family was blessed with a beautiful baby girl named Charleigh. Not only did they gain a new member of their family, but through open adoption, they gained insight, perspective and a whole new branch to their family tree. The journey of adoption has been, and will probably always be, joyous and stretching as well as everything in between. Though many deep friendships and bonds were formed in Bartlesville, the Lord led Jeff and Courtney to Bixby/South Tulsa with New Beginnings in early 2011.
Leaving
"da ville"
after eight years and starting over again in a new town, new church, new friends, new home, and new students was a big step but God will always be faithful. They have been on the NBC staff now for over 3 years and in that time have already seen several healthy changes like Reach-Out Sunday, Summer Camp and the move from Youth Pastor to Family Pastor. Courtney and Jeff are often leading trips to Haiti but are very excited to be taking their
family for the first time this summer. Jeff lives for life-on-life discipleship with others and is extremely passionate about seeing families, youth and young adults transformed by the gospel.
Their family loves being together on bike rides, dance parties, summer water days, winter fire nights, and everything in between. You will probably never meet anyone that has more appreciation and knowledge of movies, Chuck Norris, and 24… But if you do, please introduce them to each other!! He is passionate about leading his family, honoring his wife, loving his children, and being the hands and feet of Christ each and everyday.
Don't Die Wonderin'
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