Meet your neighbor: Pastor Brian Berges

Meet one of Winfield’s newest residents, Pastor Brian Berges who moved here just a week ago to fill the pulpit at the Winfield United Methodist Church.

Pastor Brian came here after serving six months as Lay Minister at the Kingston United Methodist Church.

“I began serving the Lord at Grace United Methodist Church in Burlington. First, I joined the choir then was nominated as Lay Leader. Before long I was hired to be their Custodian,” explained Pastor Brian.

Next, he enrolled in the School for Lay Ministry and completed the two-year program. From there he began to serve at Kingston United Methodist Church. He attended the UMC Licensing School in Dubuque and now is serving as a Licensed Local Pastor at the United Methodist Church in Winfield.

Pastor Brian was born in Iowa City on January 17, 1982. His parents are Leroy and Lori Berges who live in Burlington and recently celebrated their 45th Anniversary. Pastor Brian has a brother Greg who is one year younger and is a retired Army Veteran. His one remaining grandparent is Russell Jones of Danville. Pastor Brian is also the proud father of two daughters, Jozie (12) and Kylliyn (9).

Pastor Brian lived in West Burlington for a short time before his family moved to Burlington where he lived for most of his life, except for the three months he spent in Indiana on a construction job. He graduated from Burlington High School in 2000 and earned his Associate of Applied Science in Construction from Southeastern Community College in 2012.

When Pastor Brian was 23, he suffered from myocarditis which led to multiple heart attacks over 2-3 days.

“While the physical damage has had plenty of time to heal, the experience still weighs heavy on my mind,” he shared.

Pastor Brian has been employed at several places during his 42 years.

“I have worked at Walmart in the electronics department, Snyder’s-Lance Bakery as a packer and machine technician, Carl A. Nelson Construction, Sovern Construction, KPI Concepts, and was a self-employed carpenter for about five years. As a single father, it has been essential that I teach myself to cook. My kid-famous tacos are a Friday night ritual. Homemade pizzas, chicken alfredo, and spaghetti regularly grace our dinner plates. Lately, I have been getting more practice firing up the grill.”

“My own story of being reborn in Christ has led me to follow His call into ministry,” said Pastor Brian, who went on to explain, it was only 5.5 years ago that he became a believer. “Before that, I was an atheist. I set a New Year’s resolution to read the entire Bible one chapter per day, in the hope of somehow proving that God really didn’t exist. But God had a bigger plan. I started with Mathew and after about two weeks of reading and not finding anything to discredit His existence, He opened my eyes. Before this ‘experiment,’ I had developed a severe problem with alcohol. It was a constant, daily, and excessive presence in my life. After opening my grandpa’s old Bible and beginning to read, I didn’t even realize that I had completely stopped drinking until two weeks later while I was cleaning house and found the bottle that I had never finished. I know with certainty that Jesus came into my life at that moment to save me.”

When asked who he felt was most influential in his life Pastor Brian replied, “I think the biggest influence on my life came from my dad. I find myself following in his footsteps in so many ways, increasingly so during my time of parenthood. I much admire my first Pastor, Rev. Daavid Bracht-Wagner, who was the first to plant the seeds of ministry into my heart. I am also grateful for Rev. Tamara Wirt, who diligently guided me through this complicated process.”

When asked if he had any memorable or humorous stories, he could share he said he could not think of anything specific at that moment but added. “My amusing stories tend to find their way into my sermons now and then. Stay tuned!”

When he has time (which is probably a rare commodity in his life) he enjoys roller skating and helps at Kenny’s Roller Ranch in Burlington occasionally.

“I love to take my girls tent camping, even if it is in the backyard. I also like to hike trails and bicycling. Growing up, my dad and I spent a lot of time on our bicycles. We would regularly participate in tour rides of 50 or more miles. I actually played football during my freshman year at BHS as a wide receiver. One season was enough for me. I switched over to Cross County for the next two years.”

While he said he is a dog person, he admitted succumbing to the wishes of his daughters, and they have a cat named Coco that is almost five years old.

“I like all kinds of animals and wildlife, and Kylliyn is quite the expert when it comes to catching frogs,” he said.

When asked if he could change one thing in the world today what would it be, Pastor Brian answered, “I believe that many of the economic and social justice troubles we face are due to the centralization of power. What may work well in Des Moines or Washington D.C. is unlikely to be beneficial to communities like Winfield and Morning Sun. The government hierarchy seems to be completely out of balance concerning the needs and interests of rural America.”

“My goal in life is to raise my children in a way that pleases God, and to try to set an example for others to do so. I hope to see an ocean someday and would love to try skydiving.”

His advice to youth, “The clock is always Tik-Toking, don’t lose track of your entire life while watching someone else enjoy theirs.”

“Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.” Psalms 91:14

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