By Jolene Farley
Pastor Lowell Berg of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills celebrates a landmark this year. Berg, ordained Sept. 5, 1971, has been a minister for 30 years.
"My ministry here at Hills Bethlehem Lutheran has been a very easy ministry because they (parishioners) are very mission-minded," Berg said. "As beautiful as the church is, the people are even more so."
Berg has been a minister for 30 years, but has been in Hills for 22 years.
In November 1979 he was installed as pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran and Chaplain of the Tuff Memorial Home.
"My ministry has really been strengthened by the people I serve," said Berg.
"One of the joys of my ministry is being the Chaplain at the Tuff Home," Berg said. "Sometimes I feel they give back more to me then I give to them in the ministry."
Berg has noticed some changes in the Lutheran church over the years. In 1988, the Lutheran Church of America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America segments of the church merged.
Bethlehem Lutheran was a member of Lutheran Church of America but now has become a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, according to Berg.
Berg is a past president of the Rock County Ministerial Association and a member of the Board of Regents of Augustana College. He served on committees for the SW Minnesota District and Shetek Conference and also the SW Minnesota Synod.
Pastor Berg and Sonya have one daughter, Amy, born in 1966.
Pastor Berg is grateful for what he terms as 30 years of blessings. He also expresses appreciation for the support and partnership of his wife over the years.
He was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on May 11, 1944. He graduated from Westwood High School in Sloan, Iowa, in 1962. After attending Norfolk Junior. College, Norfolk, Neb., for a year he transferred to Morningside College, Sioux City. In 1967 he graduated from Morningside, majoring in history and art.
Berg didn't always intend to become a minister. When he began taking college courses, he chose a pre-medicine major until his junior year when he switched to teaching and coaching.
Pastor Berg's life changed during his senior year when he became interested in the seminary and started taking more courses in theology.
Also during his senior year, he married Sonja Rae Johnson on Nov. 26, 1965. Sonja had two brothers attending a seminary so Berg asked for guidance.
He went on to attend Luther Seminary (ALC) in St. Paul. As a junior in the seminary, Berg interned at the Malta Lutheran Parish, including the towns of Malta, Dodson, Loring and Whitewater. He returned to Luther Seminary and graduated in 1971.
Berg was ordained in St. Luke Lutheran Church in Sioux City. Foxhome-Bukku Lutheran in Foxhome, Iowa, became his first parish before coming to Hills.
To celebrate Pastor Berg's 30 years, Bethlehem Lutheran parishioners plan a Family Fun Day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16, on the Bethlehem Lutheran Church grounds.
Activities and events for all ages include horseback rides, kids' fishing pond, tug of war, water balloon toss, volleyball matches and special music.
Lunch will be served with burgers and brats, potato salad, chips and a beverage.