Author Archives

    Rick Bergen

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    Faces of Portugal

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    This week, we’re on the ground in Portugal, prayerfully exploring whether this land could be fertile soil for a new church-planting movement. We’ve been listening closely—meeting with local pastors, reconnecting with Brazilian friends who’ve made this country their new home, and talking with others the Lord has already brought here. We spent our first three days walking the streets of Lisbon, watching, praying, and learning. We’ve headed north to Porto to continue discerning what the Spirit might be stirring. It’s a survey trip—but more than that, it’s a journey of listening to God’s heart for this beautiful nation.
    A Tuk-Tuk and a Tender Gift
    Beto, a former worship leader from Brazil, now drives a tuk-tuk through old Lisbon. He surprised our team with a free city tour—a gift of love from a brother still trusting in God’s unfolding plan.
    Michael rented a big white van and found a way to adapt to Portuguese narrow streets.
    Shared streets. Shared lives. Portugal blends the old and the new.
    Beautiful but Cold

    Portugal’s ornate churches echo with history—but not with worship. We felt it in our Airbnb too: gorgeous fireplaces we couldn’t use. Beauty without warmth. We long to see these places once again ablaze with the presence of God.

    All across Portugal, we saw breathtakingly ornate churches—cathedrals carved in stone, filled with golden altars and centuries of history. But now they function more as museums: beautiful, silent, and empty. It struck me deeply. These sacred spaces, meant to be infused with worship, now feel more like monuments than meeting places for the living God.Oddly, our Airbnbs echoed the same theme. We traveled during a chilly season. Our homes had fireplaces—but they weren’t meant to be used. Instead, we huddled around small electric heaters, and if we dared plug in more than two at a time, the breaker would trip, plunging our whole home into darkness. It was form without function, beauty without warmth.One local shared honestly, “Some older folks still attend church out of habit—but the younger generation? They don’t see the point.” Another added, “Portugal lacks warm, relevant churches.”

    Portugal used to be a world power, sending ships to many nations, including Brazil. One wonders how the gospel could transform this nation once again to send the good news around the world.
    Milton moved quickly as he realized he was well into a hidden puddle.
    Paulo came to Lisbon from Brazil in 2016 with a heart to plant a church sent by another denomination. But the journey didn’t unfold as expected. After some difficult years, Paulo and his family returned to Brazil, worn out and wounded. There, they found a place of healing in Milton’s church, where they were lovingly restored over nearly two years. Paulo is back on the frontlines in Brazil, rebuilding the congregation he once pastored. His deep love for the people in his church and neighborhood is unmistakable—a reflection of the Good Shepherd who never stops pursuing His sheep, even when the path leads through pain.
    Whity (pictured far right) comes from Guinea-Bissau, a small West African nation with deep Portuguese roots. Today, she’s living a dream—studying to become a medical doctor in Portugal. She is the worship leader in this small church and plans to move home someday to Guinea-Bissao.
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    Favorite Photos

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    Pasteis de Belem is a world-famous pastry made in downtown Lisbon.
    We stopped in Nazaré, a legendary coastal town on the road north to Porto, to witness the place where the world’s largest waves rise in thunderous glory.
    The other side of the point with the big waves is this inlet and the town of Nazaré, Portugal. 
    Everywhere we turn, we’re reminded that we’re in Europe—surrounded by the ingenuity of past generations. Castles that once guarded kingdoms and windmills that harnessed the wind long before electricity. Timeless testimonies to human creativity are shaped by place, necessity, and vision.
     Big Questions
    1. What would it take to rekindle a church-planting movement that would once again travel through Europe and around the globe?

    2. Does God want us, the Vineyard, to be part of that movement?
    Whether in the Amazon or in ancient Europe, we believe revival comes where God finds faith, fire, and friends. Thank you for walking with us. Let’s keep dreaming. Let’s keep sowing. The harvest is near.Let’s keep dreaming. Let’s keep praying.With hope,
    Rick & Deanna
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    Are Churches Good for the World? A Surprising Answer

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    On my last trip to Canada, I heard that church planting had fallen out of favor. A Bible school graduate told me, “Even Christian universities discourage it—it’s seen as culture-changing, and that’s considered wrong.”Some assume that because city officials resist zoning for churches, they must be undesirable in modern society.

    A Surprise from AI

    Here in Marabá, our neighborhood was considered dangerous. Officials warn visitors not to stay past dusk. A taxi once refused to bring a friend here at night. So when I asked ChatGPT to summarize our area, I expected crime, violence, and economic hardship. Instead, it called our neighborhood privileged. Why? Because of two churches—ours, Igreja da Vinha, and another local congregation. This wasn’t a faith-based query. It was raw data. And yet, the conclusion was clear: churches improve communities.

    Why This Matters

    AI aggregates vast amounts of information, often revealing trends we overlook. This result didn’t shock me, though, for two reasons: Academia recognizes it. In my 2015 master’s research on helping marginalized communities, my secular university encouraged me to highlight the role of evangelical churches. The data is undeniable—Christians have historically led efforts to uplift the disadvantaged. Firsthand experience confirms it. After 30 years of cross-cultural work across four continents, I’ve seen missionaries and churches at the forefront of community transformation, helping people build better lives. Maybe it’s time we rethink the narrative. What if churches aren’t a problem—but part of the solution?
    We live in Folha 6 and many of our church people come from across the street, in Folha 13. I asked ChatGPT why the data thought that churches were good for communities.
    I pressed in further and asked ChatGPT why, if churches were good for communities, some city officials resisted zoning for new ones? The answer varied, but the data was convincing–churches are statistically good for communities.
    We are GRATEFUL to be church planters and send heartfelt gratitude to each person who supports this ministry or others with a primary goal of church planting!

    Churches are, after all, Jesus’ vision, and He is building His church on the rock of the Father’s revelation insight.

    “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Mt 16:17–18).
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    Who Holds the Power?

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    A Review of Reckoning with Power by David E. FitchPower shapes every part of life—our families, workplaces, churches. Can we embrace “power with” and “under power”? This book offers pastors, leaders, and everyday Christians a fresh perspective.👉 Read the full review, click here:
    [Book Review by Rick Bergen.]
    Hypothetically…
    If God had a favored servant leader in the middle tier and wanted to call them to a much greater level of influence, responsibility, and leadership, how might He go about it? What kind of circumstances would God use to shape and refine them for that higher calling? Can you think of any biblical, historical, or modern day examples?

    What comes to mind?

    Please email me at rick.bergen@xtrememercy.com
    This is my favorite quote from the Missions Conference in Texas. Dave’s context was churches and groups of churches, but we can see the truth even when children play together.Overriding and ignoring are both power-over situations.May God give you a clear divine opportunity to help someone, maybe even yourself, make a different choice this week.
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    Saturday Night Group

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    Speaking of how God moves through His church, I want to introduce you to a few friends who faithfully serve behind the scenes.
    Samara and Silmara are sisters. They have the same mom. Silmara is married to Mauriçio, above, and Samara is married to Cesar, below. These two couples care for the mission property and our home when we travel.
    A meal of gratitude for those who help keep the home fires burning while we travel.
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    Favorite Photos

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    As we were leaving Canada Emma gave me a birthday card to open on my birthday, which was still a month away. Here is the card.
    Emma also shared an excerpt on the Joy of Pioneers. Enos Mills (1870–1922), an explorer of the Rocky Mountains, reflected deeply on the pioneering spirit. His insights still resonate today—many of our efforts don’t unfold as we expect, yet some far surpass our hopes. These unexpected victories make the journey of following Jesus into uncharted territory worthwhile.
    How does this speak to you? God moves through willing hearts—He has no hands, feet, or voice apart from those who yield to Him. And you are perfectly positioned to love those He longs to reach.
    Our grandchildren are doing what they can to embrace their calling. Right now they can lift their heads. God has placed them in a world of indescribable beauty—a vast planet filled with water, plants, and animals, spinning around a massive ball of fire. Within this immense playground, they will make choices that shape their journey, leading them to stand tall on that final day… and we are cheering them on!

    “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done” (Rev. 20:12).

    Can you feel the drama? “…AND THE BOOKS WERE OPENED…”. All our lives are a preparation for that day and whatever lies beyond.
    May God grant you the best week ever!
    Rick and Deanna.
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    Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When It’s on the Wrong Side of Power, by David E. Fitch

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    Summary by Rick Bergen.

    May 15, 2025

    Power shapes our world. It can be used to build up or to tear down, to serve or to control. In Reckoning with Power, David E. Fitch challenges how the church has understood power, often experienced as something other than reflecting the servant leadership of Christ. He calls believers—whether pastors, lay leaders, or everyday Christians—to reconsider the way power functions in their lives, churches, and communities by thinking in terms of power over, power with, and under power.

    Power Over

    Many leadership structures, including those in the church, operate under a system of “power over”—a top-down, approach.

    • When the church blurs the line between godly and worldly power, it may become complicit in the very injustices it should resist.
    • Even when women or new leaders are placed in high positions, they often get absorbed into the same patterns of control.
    • Throughout biblical history, from Genesis to Jesus and Paul, we see that oppressive power structures are a distortion of God’s design.

    Power With

    Instead of “power over,” Fitch proposes “power with”—a way of leading that is relational, cooperative, and grounded in love and mutuality.

    • True Christian leadership empowers their people.
    • Jesus’s ministry embodied “power with” through healing, reconciliation, and personal presence rather than coercion.
    • Servant leadership, as taught by Robert Greenleaf, calls for listening, empathy, and collaboration.

    Under Power

    Beyond “power with,” Fitch presents a third way: “under power.” This is all about submitting to God’s power and allowing His Spirit to work.

    • Leaders often start with a dependence on God, but as their influence grows, they are tempted to take control.
    • Philippians 2 describes Jesus emptying Himself, refusing to grasp power but instead cooperating with or submitting to God’s Spirit.
    • Christian leaders may choose humility over dominance, allowing God’s presence to lead.

    Can Christian Leaders Be Servant Leaders?

    • The rich young ruler (Mark 10:21) was not asked to use his privilege for good—he was asked to give it up entirely.
    • Paul, in contrast to Roman leadership models, worked with his hands, called others co-laborers, and refused to dominate.
    • True evangelism is built on presence, relationships, and making space for the Spirit’s work—not coercion.
    • Jesus lived fully under God’s power, refusing to wield worldly power—from resisting Satan’s temptations to washing His disciples’ feet to refusing to call for the angels to deliver him before His crucifixion.

    Who Should Read This Book?

    This book is for anyone seeking to understand leadership, power, and the church’s role in the world:

    • Housewives & Parents – How do power structures affect family and community life?
    • Students & Young Leaders – What does true leadership look like in a world obsessed with influence and control?
    • Academics & Pastors – How can the church break free from unhealthy models of power?
    • Blue-Collar Workers & Everyday Christians – How does this apply to my life, workplace, and relationships?

    Reckoning with Power is a powerful book that challenges us to rethink leadership and embrace a Spirit-led way of living and leading. Whether you’re leading a church, working a 9-to-5 job, or raising a family, Fitch’s insights will transform the way you see power and help you live more faithfully under God’s authority.

    References

    Fitch, D. E. (2024). Reckoning with power: Why the church fails when it’s on the wrong side of power. Brazos Press.

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    Cristovál

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    A multi-day church event isn’t just about fun and fellowship; it’s about building a culture of hope, breaking generational cycles, and planting seeds of faith in places often overlooked. When the Church invests deeply, entire communities may change—one soul, one family, and one neighborhood at a time.
    CristoválAll our churches use the national Carnival holiday to host Christ-centered retreats—days filled with fun, good food, and ministry for people of all ages. These events are significant for those with no church background, offering them a taste of God-honoring community. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my upbringing in a Mennonite Brethren church. When I was spiritually drifting up in the Yukon, a group from that church faithfully prayed for me. They kept praying and supporting us as we carried the gospel to the Amazon Basin, some still to this day, and others are cheering us on from the other side. But as I thought back, I realized—I couldn’t remember any church-wide gatherings where we ate, played, and received ministry for days on end. Fun wasn’t expected. I liked my church friends, but I never questioned how our people lived out their community of faith until I was about 14. The Mennonite and immigrant culture was transitioning from poverty to wealth. I wonder if that had something to do with it, because they are committed Bible believers, and the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is full of multi-day God-centered community celebrations. Those reflections help me see how valuable these Cristovál retreats are in our church-planting movement. They create space for joy, connection, and transformation—something I didn’t know I missed growing up but now see as vital.
    174 people! 7 gave their lives to Jesus and 10 were baptized!
    The churches on the lower Xingu held a joint Cristovál retreat with Vineyards from up and down the river. They posted these two photos on Facebook. The bottom photo had an excerpt where they are crying out corporately to be empowered to do the Great Commission, to bring the gospel to the lost.
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    Cristovál in Marabá

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    Deanna and I stayed in Marabá for Cristovál this year to host guests. Brazilians love cake, and Deanna made enough every day for every participant and staff member to get a piece every day.The large group was split into several teams, each wearing different colored shirts. Winning wasn’t about individual strength—it was about teamwork. Everyone had to complete the challenges, creating a culture where the strong helped the weak and everyone pulled together.One of the biggest games involved hunting down six hidden people across the 15-acre property, each holding an ingredient needed to make tea, matches, firewood, tin can, tea bag, etc. Once all six ingredients were found, the team tackled an obstacle course—crawling through sand and mud, swimming in the river, and passing checkpoints. The whole team had to finish before they could start their fire, boil the tea, and get their final time. The first pot to hit a rolling boil won.It was tough, messy, and full of laughter—the kind of challenge that forges bonds and leaves lasting memories.
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    Marabá Church

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    Clyde and Kelsie came from Oregon as guest speakers for Cristovál Youth. It’s no small trip—hours of driving, days of flying, and a final 12-hour bus ride with heavy luggage. Nate and Hannah, two of their adult children, came along too. It’s expensive, exhausting, and sacrificial. May God bless them many times over.But the reward is enormous too. Clyde and Kelsie spent twelve years as missionaries here, including one year in Marabá, and now serve as Youth Pastors in Oregon. They didn’t just preach; they connected, ministering through deep relationships.And the impact? Several youth gave their hearts to Jesus, a defining moment on their journey to eternity. Others recommitted their lives, breaking free from generations of spiritual emptiness to become new creations in Christ. That’s no small thing. It’s the Kingdom advancing, one life at a time.
    Mellany, Thais’s daughter, was part of the adult choreographed worship team. She is the smallest one.
    After Clyde’s sermon on Sunday, several young boys came forward for prayer—including Kawei. During the pandemic, when Kawei’s mother was hospitalized with COVID after giving birth, Deanna cared for him.God’s hand has been on Kawei’s life from the beginning.