OUR HISTORY Why did we pick the name "Berean" ? We wanted to use the Christians at the town of Berea recorded in Acts 17 as our example in being diligent to read and understand the scriptures. Acts 17:11 "And the people of Berea were more open minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth."
Our church story: The idea of forming a church body in Glencoe began in the Fall of 1984 at a Bible Study in the home of Lavon and Jan Lamberty. Pastor Gary Brooks of Shalom Baptist Church in Hutchinson, MN was the teacher.
A Triad Committee composed of believers from Hutchinson, Glencoe and the Minnesota Iowa Baptist Conference was formed to study the possibility of starting a new church work in Glencoe, MN.
On June 20, 1985, the first official church meeting was held in the family room at the home of Andy and Marsha Ypma, 1705 Ives in Glencoe. It was at this meeting that the life of this new church had its beginning. The body of believers voted on a church name, signed a document to initiate incorporation, called its first pastor, and collected its first offering. The families that met were: Don and Mary Buckentin, Don and Phyllis Christensen, Glenn and Emily Gruenhagen, Lavon and Jan Lamberty, Larry and Gayle Macht, Dean and Judy Watson, and Andy and Marsha Ypma.
About Us
Copyright 2014 Berean Baptist Church (Glencoe) 727 16th Street East Glencoe, MN 55336-1553
During the month of October 1985, Berean Baptist Church moved into its first church home, the former Glenhaven care center. A rental agreement was obtained from the Glencoe Hospital, owner of Glenhaven, and the church began an extensive clean-up operation of the facility. Many people helped with the work, pews, pulpit furniture plus other needed items were donated. Pastor Jim Schade was the first pastor of Berean Baptist Church. He served from 1985 to 1987.
On February 28, 1989, Berean Baptist Church purchased the former St. George Catholic Church at 16th and Hennepin for $60,000. A generous gift of $20,000 was given by the Minnesota Iowa Baptist Conference and a loan was secured for $40,000. The new purchase included an equipped kitchen plus 44 15' pew benches. Overall, the church facility was in good condition. Pastor Arnold Boich was the second pastor of Berean Baptist Church. He served from September
1988 to October 2002. In 1990, after five years of Minnesota Iowa Baptist Conference financial support, Berean Baptist Church became self supporting.
Pastor Paul Friberg became the third pastor of Berean Baptist Church in October 2002 -2012. Pastor Jonathan Pixler became the fourth pastor of Berean Baptist Church in September 2012 - Present.