Our Pastor

Pastor John Olson

John has been involved in Christian ministry in the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan for over 20 years. He grew up in Minnesota and North Dakota. John and his wife, Caristy, met at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy. They have 4 children. John and his family enjoy reading, playing games, and being outside.

John earned his Masters if Divinity from the Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, MN. He attended North Dakota State University where he graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in History.  


Our Church
At Berea you will find a church that cares about you and your relationship with God.  You will find a church that declares by God's Holy Word, grace to live day by day through Jesus Christ.  We welcome you to visit and discover more about our church!

What to Expect at Berea Lutheran Church
  • A Friendly, Family Atmosphere
  • Relevant, Biblical Preaching
  • Contemporary Blended Worship
  • Opportunities To Learn & Grow
  • A Place To Belong & Be Loved
  • Fellowship With One Another
Our History
Berea Lutheran Brethren is a unique church of Lutheran faith and Evangelical life. If you are new to the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to get acquainted with us. As you visit we trust that you will discover a friendly, family-oriented church where you can feel at home.


Our Name
Our name "Berea" is taken from a place in the Bible where a group of believers received the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ with great eagerness, and they studied the Scriptures daily to see that the message was true (Acts 17:11). At Berea we are excited about what Christ has done for all who call upon Him in faith, and we are committed to studying and sharing God's Word

Our Beliefs
  • The Bible is God's Word and it is the final authority for faith and life.
  • God desires to have a personal relationship with every individual He has created.
  • All people need to turn from sin and trust in God's grace alone for salvation
  • Jesus Christ is true God and true man who gave His life on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world
  • The Holy Spirit comforts and strengthens believers as they seek to grow in their faith and walk with God


Our Affiliation
We are part of a network of churches known as the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America (CLBA). During its history the CLBA has maintained a strong emphasis on evangelism, missions, church planting, Christian education, and youth ministry. In addition, we have numerous sister churches in Cameroon, Chad, Japan, and Taiwan.