References

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“Blake has a powerfully authentic and biblically transforming message to today’s generation!”

Craig Groeschel

Senior Pastor

LifeChurch.tv

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To those in need of a dynamic, godly speaker:

It is a privilege to know and recommend Blake. I have seen the blessings his messages bring to those who hear him (including me). My grandchildren were greatly moved by hearing him, and their lives were spiritually enriched as a result. He was important to their spiritual growth.

Blake and I have met at different times to discuss his life and ministry. I was always impressed by his commitment and his passion to grow in Christ. That passion is catching. Those who hear him catch it. So it is my privilege to recommend Blake as a dynamic speaker and a godly man. Those who hear him will be blessed and challenged to serve the Lord with their whole heart.

Dr. David Osborn

Doctor of Ministry Program

Denver Seminary

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When I think about Blake’s life and ministry, the first word that comes to mind is “heart.”  He lives from his heart and preaches from his heart.  It’s apparent to anyone who hears him speak.  Blake loves his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that loves comes pouring out from his heart and into his preaching.  His heart-life is also obvious in the few times I’ve seen him with his family or the many times I’ve heard him talk about them.  It’s good to know when a speaker lives what he preaches with those closest to him.

Kevin Greer

Christ In Youth and Professor at Ozark Christian College

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“I absolutely love Blake Bergstrom’s heart.  His authentic nature and his love of following Jesus converge when he speaks.  He has a tremendous ability to connect with people, young or old.  Mixing his wonderful humor, his passion for the scriptures, and his unending energy, makes for an unforgettable experience with Blake.  I always look forward to the times I get to hear Blake speak.”

David Robinson

Senior Pastor

Community Christian Church

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Blake has made a profound impact in my life.  He has a God given gift of being able to connect w/ people, speak deep into their souls, encourage them and love on them no matter where they are in their lives.  He has an ability to connect w/ people of all ages and minister to them in a way that truly brings about life change….He is a great friend and will impact your ministry like no one else I know….

Chris Spradlin

OKC Campus Pastor

LifeChurch.tv

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To whom it may concern,

If you are reading this it’s probably because you are looking for a speaker for your next event.  I would highly recommend you to consider Blake Bergstrom.  When it comes to speaking to teens in a way that connects with them, no one does it better.  Blake is a gifted communicator with an ability to interweave humor, personal stories and scriptures in a way that penetrates hearts.  I believe Blake would be an outstanding choice for your next youth convention, camp or retreat.

Todd Hudson

Lead Pastor

Southeast Christian Church – Parker, CO

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Blake has a passion and enthusiasm that is contagious. He clearly shares the truth of God’s Word in interesting, engaging and relevant ways. He is as quick to share his failures as his successes in order to speak God’s truth into the life of the listener. This is one of the things that makes him a successful communicator.

Eric Olson – Worship Arts Pastor

Mountain Christian Church

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To Whom it May Concern:

My name is David Marshall and it is my pleasure to give a reference for Blake Bergstrom. I understand that you are considering Blake as a potential camp speaker. I am one of the directors of the SNOWRIDGE Youth Camp located at the Horn Creek Conference Center in Westcliffe, Colorado. SNOWRIDGE is a high adventure youth camp that uses the out of doors to reach out with the love of Jesus Christ to middle school and high school students.

Last summer was the first summer that we invited outside speakers to come and minister to our campers. We had different speakers each week and for the most part it was a success. As we evaluated each of the weeks and the speakers that came in during that time, our highest priority was to get Blake back for the summer of 06. In my years of college and youth ministry I have worked along side many people and the Lord has used those individuals in wonderful ways. Occasionally there are those that stand out and Blake was one of them.

It wasn’t that he had a special song and dance that drew the campers to him, it was his passion for life and his love for the Lord. It was his willingness to open up his life and connect in relevant ways that the Lord used to stir the hearts of our youth. It was his willingness to jump in with his guitar and help out our worship team. It was the first night when he sat down after his talk and said that he can walk the edge at times and welcomes our feedback in regards to anything that we may need to change or that he could improve on. His teach ability and desire to work along side of us was refreshing.

Typically we set aside a certain amount of time for our speakers to connect at our round up time. I found myself forgetting to hold up the time cards or tossing them aside as I listened to the Lord use Blake to deliver the message for the evening. Blake is an incredible story teller and that gift, along side of a love for the scriptures kept all of us on the edge of our seats. Teaching wasn’t a burden, it was his passion and it came out each evening. The response from the students wasn’t one of wanting to hang out with Blake because he was cool, rather the response was one of identifying with a need to know the Lord more deeply and a desire to deal with their sin.

The added bonus for our week was the fact that Blake brought his family. His wife and four girls complement his ministry well and we hope that they will join us again when Blake returns. I would highly recommend that you bring Blake in for a week. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. We weren’t. I hope you have a wonderful camp summer 06.

David Marshall – Director of Snow Ridge Youth Camp

david.marshall@uscm.org

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To Whom It May Concern:

I have known Blake Bergstrom for approximately five years. I consider him a very close friend and our families are very close. In additions, I work as a youth leader while he was the youth minister at Owensboro Christian Church in Owensboro, Kentucky. I have had the opportunity to hear Blake Bergstrom lead worship and speak on numerous occasions.

I believe Blake is gifted in the area of public speaking. He is very comfortable in front of crowds and is very quick on his feet. I have found that he makes excellent judgments as to when to pray or stop and resume worship.  In the years that I watched him teach, the high school students never got bored with him. It was evident that the students would very much look forward to Blake’s teaching. He was able to reach their hearts and encourage transparency, openness and repentance among the high school students.

I consider it an honor to have worked with Blake in the youth ministry. I have not met anyone with a greater gift to speaking with , getting to know, and loving high school students.

If I were holding an event, I wold feel confident in Blake Bergstrom being the speaker. If you would like to discuss this further with me, I would be happy to do it. I could give numerous examples of Blake being used by the Lord in a mighty way in his teaching and leading worship.

In Christ,

Bradley P. Rhoads

Attorney at Law

brad@rhoadsandrhoads.com