At 1210 Chambers Street in southwest Eugene, Berean Baptist Church is known for placing relationships at the center of congregational life while keeping biblical truth, worship, and discipleship together. Deeper, Stronger, Together is both its refrain and its pattern: grow deeper through worship, stronger through discipleship, and together through relationships. The church gathers at 10:00 AM for English worship and at 11:00 AM for Spanish worship in the same building.
From Jensen's Drugstore to a Church of Its Own
Berean began on December 20, 1942, as a mission Sunday school through First Baptist Church of Eugene. Its first classes met in Jensen's Drugstore on the corner of West 11th and Chambers, with an initial attendance of 34. As southwest Eugene grew rapidly, the Sunday school leaders needed more space. They purchased property one block south of the original meeting place, and a chapel was dedicated there on July 9, 1950, under Rev. Earl Peden.
The chapel cleared all indebtedness in April 1953 and voted to seek independence. During a trial year, its members raised a budget of $14,747. First Baptist Church granted independence by unanimous vote on May 6, 1954, and 184 people formed the membership roll of the new church. In 1958, Berean affiliated with the Conservative Baptist Association of Oregon and America. That year, Operation Nehemiah began adding 5,300 square feet of Sunday school space.
Allan Stensvad became pastor in January 1980 and served until October 1993. Programs introduced under his leadership included AWANA and the Navigator 2:7 discipleship series, while a major sanctuary remodeling was completed in 1991. A new building began in fall 1992 and proceeded on a cash basis until 1997. The congregation then authorized $350,000 in bonds, which were sold to members and have since been paid off.
Mike Jaskilka began his pastoral ministry on July 1, 1994. Working with the Board of Elders, he gave the church a stronger outward focus and clarified its vision for the future. The church simplified its bylaws in 1996 and again in 2000. After nineteen years of service, Jaskilka concluded his pastorate in June 2013. Members called Dan Glockle that July, and he began his ministry at Berean on September 15.
Deeper, Stronger, Together Is the Shared Purpose
The vision of Berean Baptist Church is to enjoy and treasure Jesus so that God's fame is spread for the good of all peoples. Its mission is to make and multiply disciples of Jesus Christ by engaging people and teaching truth. That purpose is tied to the life of the local church: worship, discipleship, and relationships are means of growing in passion for God and bringing glory to him.
The church summarizes its values in a direct sequence: growing deeper through worship, stronger through discipleship, and together through relationships. Rather than directing newcomers toward a list of programs, Berean calls itself relationship-driven. People are invited to be known, to understand how God has been redeeming their lives, and to discover the gifts and preparation God has given them for service. Discipleship is therefore personal as well as congregational.
Truth Held in the 66 Books
Berean affirms the Bible as the verbally inspired and divinely preserved Word of God, truth for all people and all times and without error in concept or detail in the original writings. It recognizes the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments as the complete revelation and supreme authority. Scripture is understood through its literal, contextual, grammatical, and historical meaning, with interpretation and application guided by the Holy Spirit.
God is confessed as one personal, living Creator, sustainer, and sovereign ruler who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three persons are equal in nature and attributes and have distinct but harmonious roles. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, born of the virgin Mary, sinless in life, and sent by God. His death on the cross atoned for sin, his bodily resurrection established his victory, and he is Prophet, Priest, and King, Head of the church, Mediator between God and humanity, and Judge of the world.
The Holy Spirit convicts the world, regenerates and seals all who believe, and progressively sanctifies them. Salvation is received as God's gift through grace and faith in Jesus Christ alone. Repentance and belief bring forgiveness, justification by Christ's righteousness, adoption into God's family, and equal access to God. Sanctification is demonstrated by righteous living, good works, and biblical concern for others, and salvation culminates in resurrection and glory.
Humanity is sacred, created in God's image, responsible to him, and fallen into sin through Adam's disobedience. Berean teaches that life begins at fertilization and that family is established through the marriage covenant of one man and one woman, with children raised through procreation and discipleship. Marriage is understood as a lifelong covenant and as an example of the relationship between Christ and his church.
The church is the spiritual body of Christ and expresses itself through local assemblies that hear the Word, worship, practice believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper, build one another up in faith, pursue holiness, hold one another accountable, and engage in evangelization. Jesus Christ is the Head, and the congregation is shepherded by a plurality of biblically qualified male elders called pastors. Deacons serve rather than exercise ruling authority. Church authority rests ultimately with the members, while the congregation maintains voluntary fellowship with Conservative Baptist associations. Christ will return visibly in power and glory, and his people will be raised, changed, and brought into his eternal kingdom.
Worship Grounded in the Word and Centered on Others
Berean takes worship seriously because it understands that sin can distort every area of life, including worship itself. Its worship philosophy seeks to keep congregational singing, prayer, Scripture reading, and preaching focused on truth and the character of God rather than personal preference.
- Grounded in God's Word. Songs and prayers should be shaped by Scripture, preaching should proclaim the Word, and the Bible should be read publicly so the congregation remembers the gospel and seeks God's will.
- Focused on God. Worship should be Christ-centered because of his atonement, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and attentive to God's character and actions rather than merely to personal experience.
- Dedicated to the good of others. Worship should be accessible, understandable, and non-distracting. The congregation seeks to build itself up through service, encouragement, Scripture, and the use of time and preferences for the benefit of others.
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 AM and lasts around an hour and fifteen minutes. The congregation sings old and new hymns, praises, and other spiritual songs. People of any age may enter through the gray, covered, four-door entrance on the Chambers Street side. Friendly greeters and signs help direct visitors to the restrooms, nursery, and other spaces. No seat is reserved, and comfortable, modest clothing is encouraged; khakis or jeans with slacks or a skirt are appropriate.
Communion is open to anyone who believes Jesus is God and their Savior, and an offering is optional rather than expected. Audio messages from Berean pastors and other speakers are available in the sermon archive. The church uses ChurchCenter for small-group gatherings, event registration, app-based updates, and giving, while video content also appears on YouTube.
Children Learning the Same Doctrines as Their Parents
Berean teaches systematic theology from preschool through fifth grade. Youth and teens move through the church's beliefs and practices over a three-year period, learning to personalize their faith and develop sound reasoning for what they believe. The goal is not simply to occupy children during worship, but to give them age-appropriate understanding of the same biblical truth pursued by the congregation.
The nursery, children, and teen helpers are interviewed and have background checks. Berean describes this accountability as part of the safe environment it wants to provide for children and families. A child-registration form can make check-in easier, while interactive sermon notes are prepared for pre-readers and elementary-age children.
On the first Sunday of each month, children in kindergarten and older sit with their families during worship. On other Sundays, children are checked in before the service and taught theology, Scripture memory, hymns, spiritual songs, and Bible-based prayer. The church also gives families a monthly home-worship resource connected with the teaching received in children's church.
Parents are viewed as the primary spiritual influence in their children's lives. Berean seeks to strengthen single-parent, blended, and newly forming families by helping parents become knowledgeable and responsible spiritual guides. The monthly worship material is intended to carry the church's teaching beyond Sunday gatherings and into family life.
Lunch, Small Groups, and a Relational Path
The first step into congregational life begins with people rather than programs. On the first Sunday of each month, Berean invites visitors to arrive early for worship, remain afterward, and share lunch with the church family. Offers of coffee or a meal make it possible to continue the conversation without requiring a new person to already know the church's programs.
Small groups are the second step. They meet regularly and collectively gather more than 36 times throughout the year to learn, work, and play together. The groups are intended to be welcoming places where people can grow deeper, build strong relationships, and serve others. Adults are encouraged to attend a group regularly because relationship and spiritual growth are expected to reinforce one another.
Berean periodically offers a Discover Berean class after the morning worship. Those beginning to attend church and a group are invited to stay for a meal and conversation about the church, its mission, its beliefs, and the importance of belonging to a local church family. Membership follows as a relational and spiritual commitment rather than a preliminary test of attendance.
Every area of service, including greeting, childcare work, and helping in the kitchen, is understood as flowing from church membership. Membership requires baptism by immersion, agreement with the church's doctrine and practices, completion of requirements established by the elders, and acceptance through a unanimous recommendation of the elders followed by a majority vote of church members. Those joining are asked to provide basic personal information, describe their journey of knowing and following Jesus, and become familiar with the church's beliefs and covenant.
Spanish Worship in Room 218
The Spanish Church began when experienced church planter Alejandro Chavez and Adriana Chavez moved from Grants Pass to Eugene in fall 2013. They came with their family to plant a church for Spanish-speaking people in the city. Alejandro continues to serve as the congregation's church planter.
Spanish worship takes place at 11:00 AM on Sundays inside Berean Baptist Church. The congregation gathers on the second floor in Room 218, making it possible for Spanish-language ministry to remain closely connected to the life and building of the larger church.
Shepherded by Elders, Freed for Service
Pastor Dan Glockle holds an M.Div. from PTS in Pensacola and a Th.M. from SBTS in Louisville. He emphasizes thoughtful conversations about Jesus and the world and sees the life of a follower of Christ as central to the flourishing of Eugene. Pastor John VonDoloski has served in ministry for more than a decade, with a focus on the local church, missions, and training men for ministry. He has also helped launch two schools in Oregon.
Jordan Napier serves as a pastoral apprentice, while Josh Dillow leads worship. The wider shepherding team also includes deacons and deaconesses whose role is to free the elders to devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer. Cecil Brackett and Shane Lerch serve as deacons. Candie Sagehorn, Margaret Julich, and Pam Forshee serve as deaconesses.
Their service includes helping organize ways to serve, maintaining church facilities and property, distributing benevolence to people in need, and assisting with the church's budget and finances. This work is understood as service rather than ruling authority; the elders remain responsible for the ministry of the Word and prayer.
Church government is elder-led and congregationally affirmed. Elders serve in three-year rotating terms, followed by a period of purposeful rest, while the senior pastor is a permanent member of the Board of Elders. The congregation holds final earthly authority while seeking to discern Christ's mind through Scripture. The senior pastor and other paid pastoral staff may perform weddings for church members, with exceptions requiring Elder Board approval, and the use of church facilities for marriage ceremonies is governed by the congregation's stated standards.
Training the Whole People of God
The Center for Biblical Training exists to deepen knowledge of God so people become fruitful and effective. Berean emphasizes that the center is not an alternative to corporate worship or a replacement for church community. Preaching, praying, praising, communion, confession, and commitment remain necessary parts of Christian formation, while training helps those foundations produce mature disciples and faithful leaders.
The program has two tracks. Track 1 covers essential church doctrine and Christian living through hermeneutics, Bible-study methods, systematic theology, church history, apologetics and worldview, God-centered living, and spiritual disciplines. Track 2 adds preparation for church leadership through elders, deacons, teachers, and counselors, with study in Greek, Hebrew, diagramming and arcing, preaching, biblical theology, and mentored ministry.
The established course pattern meets Monday evenings from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM for six weeks, with some Track 2 courses also gathering on Sundays. Berean partners with Emerald Bible Fellowship and The Rising, describing the three churches as like-minded communities that seek to grow together in training. The Center's threefold aim is expressed as Knowing the Word, Knowing the Whole, and Knowing the World.
A Church Built Around Its Covenant
Membership has a deliberate shape at Berean. Its members covenant to attend worship and regular meetings, cultivate spiritual disciplines, participate in baptism and communion, give and serve voluntarily, pursue holiness, preserve marriage, submit to biblical leadership, and help hold one another accountable. Church discipline is defined as correction intended to produce repentance and restoration rather than as punishment.
That shared life points back to the vision of enjoying and treasuring Jesus so that God's fame is spread for the good of all peoples. Worship deepens the congregation in truth, discipleship makes faith stronger, and relationships keep people known, served, and accountable. That is Berean Baptist Church in Eugene: deeper through worship, stronger through discipleship, together through relationships.