I was ten years old living on Flathead Lake in Montana when our family purchased our first dog. He came with a pedigree and had a royal sounding name–Count Tour Zoom Saber Jet Ryder. That was a long name for a dog. We called him “Zoom.” I can still remember calling out to him…”Here Zoom, [...]
written by Richard Bergstrom, D.Min., President, ChurchHealth *Published on March 4, 2020 - prior to the wave of church closures. You heard me right. I’m thinking about giving up church for Lent. Last year I attended a church that placed a high priority on all the disciplines associated with Lent Season, beginning on Ash Wednesday and [...]
Written by Richard Bergstrom, January 10, 2020 During these long winter evenings, Leona and I have been watching the NETFLIX series "The Crown." In Season 3 Episode 5, Princess Alice of Battenberg, the mother of Prince Philip and mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, is visiting with her brother Louis Mountbatten, the uncle of Prince Philip [...]
written by Richard Bergstrom, D.Min. President, ChurchHealth Last week the world’s eyes were riveted on the Notre Dame Cathedral as flames engulfed the historic building. Thousands of onlookers gathered along the banks of the Seine River, gasping and crying in horror when the upper part of the 300-foot spire of this cultural and religious icon [...]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NORTH POLE. 12.28.18 Santa Claus announced he will retire as of December 31st. After centuries of bringing Christmas cheer to millions, he will officially “hang it up this year,” and we’re not talking about his stockings. Richard Bergstrom of Re-Ignite U obtained this exclusive interview with Santa today. Richard- Is it true [...]
written by Richard Bergstrom, Co-Director, Re-Ignite March 1, 2018. As I write this, Billy Graham lies in honor at the U.S. Capital as thousands line up to pay their respects to the evangelist. Tomorrow the world bids farewell to him at a private funeral in North Carolina. It has caused me to reflect on two [...]
The day was December 1, 1969. I was a 19-year-old sophomore transfer student at Westmont College in Montecito, California. I lived along with other classmates in Emerson Hall, a stone estate off campus that was used for student housing. I gathered around the television with other men that evening to watch this historic event–the outcome [...]
After 27 years as the voice of Kermit the Frog, Steve Whitmire is out of a job. Following Jim Henson’s unexpected death in 1990, Kermit was recast with Whitmire as his voice. In many ways, he became Kermit. For Henson, the voice of Kermit wasn’t just a role for which to audition; it was an [...]
written by Dr. Richard Bergstrom President, ChurchHealth/Re-Ignite In our book, Third Calling: What are you doing the rest of your life?, the chapter entitled “Awakening Your Dreams” ends with Leona’s wistful, yet earnest, question: Ah, dreams, they can come true. Now, can we talk about my house on the beach? (pg. 45) Little did we [...]
by Richard Bergstrom Today I’m celebrating my 67th birthday. I have now lived longer than my grandfather, Rudolph Bergstrom–by 192 days to be precise. He never saw his 67th birthday. It was June 9, 1964, when my family excitedly headed down Highway 93 from Kalispell, Montana on our way to Disneyland. A Montana State Trooper pulled [...]
