Leona Bergstrom is Director of Lifetime Ministries, a division of ChurchHealth, a ministry dedicated to assisting churches in developing powerful and effective programs for and by older adults. Along with Richard, Leona is co-director of 2nd ½ for Him Ministries of the Baptist General Conference. Leona has a B.A. degree in Sociology from Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California (1973). She is a Certified Aging Service Professional having completed certificate programs in Retirement Housing Administration, Human Service Management, and Project Management. She has worked in the field of gerontology for 30 years, planning, implementing, and managing a variety of social and health care programs for the elderly. She most recently served as Director of Programs for CRISTA Senior Community in Seattle, WA. Previously she has served as Director of Senior Health for St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham,Washington, Community outreach educator for the Area Agency on Aging, and as the Chair of the gerontology certificate program at Western Washington University. She is coauthor of the book, Amazing Grays: Unleashing the Power of Age in Your Congregation. She has also authored curriculum for the Northwest Area Agency on Aging entitled, “Caregiver Support: Reaching Out to Those Who Care for Others, A Guide for Communities of Faith.”

Leona married Richard Bergstrom on June 17, 1972. They met while attending Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. She never intended to be a “pastor’s wife” but has nevertheless found the journey of ministry to be a remarkable one. Together they have served on pastoral staff in several churches, in denominational leadership, and in their own faith-based not-for-profit ministry. Today Richard is an Executive Pastor at their church in Bothell, Washington while Leona serves as Director of Lifetime Ministries of ChurchHealth.  

Leona has loved being a mom and now a grandma! She has one grandson who is 18 months old and another grandson on the way this summer! Her hobbies are walking the beach, eating out, traveling and taking naps.

Favorite Bible verse: Ephesians 3:20 in The Message: “God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”

Favorite quote: “Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be, the last of life for which the first was made: Our times are in His hands. “   Robert Browning

Leona at a Boomer Bash!