Russell M. Berg 11525 88 th Ave. North

Maple Grove, MN55369

612-207-3504 BERG.RUSS1@GMAIL .com

Dr. Russ Berg has been married to his high school sweetheart, Melody for 39 years. They have 2 married daughters and 5 grandchildren living in the Twin City area. He has been a pastor for over 34 years, the past 21 of which were spent at Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church in Maple Grove, Minnesota. During 2013, he led the church’s transition to a new senior pastor, Jon Platek. Now as the Director of Pastoral Training and Church Development at Hope for the Home, his full time efforts are devoted to spreading a contagious passion to help the church change the culture of divorce in America, one marriage at a time. He has never been on Oprah or Good Morning America, and his podcasts are mostly downloaded by his mom.

EducationBethel Seminary, St. Paul, MNDoctor of Ministry, 2014

Began program in 2009, completing research, dissertation and oral defense 2014 Emphasis: Congregational and Family Life – Crisis Marriages

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, ILMaster of Educational Ministry, 2007

Focus: Educational Life of Church Emphasis: counseling and teaching

Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, ILB.A. Biblical Studies and Evangelism, 1994

Focus: Inner-city evangelism teams and church based youth ministry Emphasis: preaching and outreach

Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, ILMajored in philosophy and psychology, 1994

Church ExperienceMaple Grove Evangelical Free Church Maple Grove, MNSenior Pastor, 1992 – 2013

Church family grew from 200 to more than a 1000. Led 2 successful capital campaigns, including the construction of a new worship center, a

negotiated a joint powers agreement with Maple Grove Park and Recreation for the development of a community use youth ball field on church property.

Developed pastoral counseling ministry including crisis marriages and divorce intervention Why I loved it: Teaching God’s Word in ways that build believers and attract the not-yet-

believer, chance to lead teams, identify and help solve problems, develop strategies for growth, help make godly things happen, and leverage the influence of MGEFC for the good of the entire community, live to see people connected with God in their crisis and deepest need.

Des Plaines Bible Church Des Plaines, ILPastor of Youth, Marriage and Family 1983 – 1992

Youth Group grew from 20 to 75 students Was responsible for all premarital education and family counseling Led annual multi-church outreach to over 400 students Why I loved it: chance to lead teams, identify/solve problems, develop strategies for growth,

speak in front of large groups, make things happen, and leverage the power of position for the good of the entire community.

Medinah Baptist Church, Roselle, ILPastor of Youth 1980 – 1983

Developed significant relationships with counselors and psychologists at Lake Park H.S. Group grew from 30 to 60 students Responsible for all student and family counseling Led annual multi-church outreach to over 400 students Why I loved it: chance to lead teams, identify/solve problems, develop strategies for growth,

speak in front of large groups of teens, make things happen, shepherd church family through counseling ministry.

Counseling Ministry ExperienceHope for the Hurting Home

Mentored by Dr. George Kenworthy, Founder and CEO for 3 years Piloted and expanded 10 Session Marriage Make Over at Maple Grove Free Church as a church

based marriage counseling ministry. Over 3 year period as Sr. Pastor, worked with 61 at risk of divorce, 49 of which pulled back from

the decision and committed to work on their marriage.

Crisis Marriages in Faith Communities Project, Minneapolis, Minnesota A founding member of the Minnesota’s Crisis Marriages in Faith Communities Project With 10 other Twin City Pastors, counselors, and ministry leaders building on the work of Drs. Bill

Doherty and George Kenworthy, he created the Faith Based version of a new divorce intervention program called Faith Based Discernment Counseling. He conducted the first ever training for pastors in Basic Faith Based Discernment Counseling and his doctoral dissertation explored the effectiveness of local church pastors use of this approach. His research can be found in the research section at the bottom of the “Facing Divorce?” page.

He has worked with over 90 couples facing divorce and experienced over 75% make a commitment to a 6 month postponement of the divorce decision to work hard on saving their marriage with the best counseling available.

Associations Think tank member of Crisis Marriages in Faith Communities Project 2010-2012 Staff Pastoral Counselor – Hope for the Hurting Home EFCA, North Central District – Recovery Church and Healthy Church Resource Team Maple Grove Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee and 2013 Keynote Speaker Past founding board member of Poland Evangelical Mission Past leader of the Maple Grove Police Chaplaincy

Additional Training and CertificationsUniversity of Minnesota – Dr. Bill Doherty Minnesota Couples on the Brink Therapists Workshop –Basic Discernment Counseling 2012

Divorce Busters Seminar - (Michele Weiner-Davis)Solution Oriented Brief Marriage Therapy, Alina Health Care Systems 1998

Peacemaker Ministries Biblical Conflict Resolution, 1997Certified Conflict Coach, 1997