The Path From Pentecostal to Reformed

In this episode Reverend Mark Stomberg of Lynden United Reformed Church in Lynden, WA joins Pastor Chris Gordon to talk all things Pentecostal. Rev. Stromberg shares his experiences as a Pentecostal preacher and breaks down what happens during a typical Pentecostal service. They discuss his colorful childhood growing up in the church and what led him out of the Pentecostal church and into the Reformed Faith. Their animated conversation covers speaking in tongues, church revivals and that one time Pastor Stromberg broke his pulpit! Don’t miss this entertaining and informative episode!

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:10 - Pentecostal Pastor background
02:17 - Breaking the Pulpit
03:41 - Being a Pentecostal Preacher
04:38 - Evangelicals Wanted What Pentecostals Have
05:28 - The Growth of the Assemblies of God Church
06:32 - Jack Hayford’s Fireside Chats
07:17 - What Made Pentecostals Successful
08:10 - Early Pentecostals in Latin America
09:30 - Pentecostal Fame in Arkansas
10:00 - Pentecostals Deny the Trinity
11:18 - Pentecostals Against Kenneth Copeland
12:00 - Early Pentecostals
13:03 - Lutheran Churches Go Liberal
16:13 - Too Much Theology?
17:25: - Average Pentecostal Worship Service
20:26 - Speaking in tongues
20:58 - Assemblies of God Organizes
21:50 - Birth of the Charismatic Movement
23:10 - Regeneration and Fruit
24:06 - The Decline of the Pulpit Experience
24:53 - 5 Sermons of the Pentecostal Church
26:30 - Pentecostals Views of Other Churches
28:00 - Netherlands Reformed and Pentecostalism
30:00 - Revivals and Pentecostal Bible Camp
32:00 - Getting out of Pentecostalism
35:54 - Repeated Alter Calls
37:25 - The Crisis of Acts 2

More:
Rev. Mark Stromberg was raised pentecostal and became an influential and charismatic pentecostal preacher in Montana for over a decade. As his understanding of the Bible grew, so did his doubts about the Pentecostal church. His study of Acts 2 and questions about regeneration led him out of Pentecostalism and into Westminster Seminary in Escondido, CA. He answered the call to become the preaching pastor at Lynden United Reformed Church in Lynden, Washington where he preaches today. 

Mark Stromberg is a native Montanan, growing up in the shadow of Glacier National Park. He attended Montana State University and Evangel College where he met his lovely wife, Krista. They married in 1987, and soon after, God blessed them with three beautiful children. He is grateful that he finds such immense pleasure in fulfilling his duties as a husband, father and grandfather.

He was ordained to the Ministry of the Word in March, 2003, and prior to serving as a United Reformed minister, he pastored in the Assemblies of God for twelve years. As a result of reading and studying the Bible, he became Reformed. Based on his newfound beliefs and theological convictions, he consequently moved his family to Escondido, California, where he attended Westminster Seminary. This was a great blessing for him and his family, for which he is eternally grateful.

Prior to accepting the call to the Lynden URC, Mark pastored the United Reformed Church in Belgrade, Montana for ten and a half years. He is very thankful the Lord has provided him with a great passion for ministering the Word and the sacraments to those under his care.

Mark loves spending his free time with his wife, adult children and grandchildren. As a family they enjoy all kinds of water sports, downhill skiing, reading aloud, watching movies, and their annual Thanksgiving backyard football game. Mark also enjoys fishing and is an avid reader, particularly in the areas of history and theology, but his real passion is for God’s Word and preaching Christ.