Berkel Family Spotlight

The Berkel family loves Crean Lutheran High School, and we have been advocates and leaders for increased performing arts, athletics, academic and student hang-out space.  Every day, lives are transformed at Crean Lutheran, just like we saw with our daughter Katy, class of 2015. She blossomed at Crean Lutheran as a student, dancer, singer, and athlete, even though space was constrained.  She danced in space one-fifth the size of today’s beautiful new dance studio. She did her strength and conditioning on the sidewalk. She sang in a space that is now used for storage. Praise God! The North Campus expansion is almost complete; the Instrumental Music Studio and Sculpture Studio have been designed, but are not yet funded. Further, the new turf and lights project for the Saints Stadium was just completed!

Have you had the blessing of seeing and hearing our Orchestra, Choir, Worship Team, Concert Band, Jazz Band and Percussion Ensemble lately? They are truly amazing!  Did you know that each instrumental class sets up in the Event Center before instruction can begin and ends the class with tear down, moving chairs, instruments, music stands and equipment back to storage?  The wait continues for our musically talented orchestra, jazz, and praise band students.

The time has come! We invite each and every one of you to join us in praying, financially supporting, and sharing in Crean Lutheran’s exciting journey by ensuring a vibrant future for the students both spiritually and academically.  When you support the Press On Campaign, not only do you make the Instrumental Music Studio, Sculpture Studio, and newly enhanced Saints Stadium possible, you move the school forward in the Master Plan for the campus. The foundation being laid today ensures that tomorrow’s students will be even more blessed as progress is made toward the completion of the school’s Master Plan.

Join us on this journey to support Crean Lutheran’s second decade of Proclaiming Jesus Christ with Excellence in all that they do. Future generations depend on our faithful support today.  If you believe in the mission, impact and vision of this school, help us complete the Press On Campaign.

Jeff and Sue Berkel
Press On Cabinet Co-Chairs

2019 Patron Saints Award Recipient

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.   Galatians 6:2

Meet Sue and Jeff Berkel, Crean Lutheran Alumni parents and recent recipients of the 2019 Patron Saints Award. The Berkels have served the school in numerous ways. They were active supporters of the Performing Arts department while at Crean Lutheran, served for over two years as Co-Chairs for the Press On Campaign, and are generous donors to Crean Lutheran, to name just a few.

Recently Sue met Emi, and would like to share her special story of faith with you.

“It has been said that the Lord works in mysterious ways. I believe God shows us His power and love in poignant ways when some of the best moments in our lives seem to have proverbially come “out of left field.”   My husband, Jeff and I became godparents to twin 5-year-old girls on Christmas Day, divinely connected because their mother, Emi, asked me for help in the family law courthouse in September 2017.  I was there helping another Crean Lutheran High School mom navigate her divorce. We were waiting in the hallway when a woman I had never met, named Emi said, “Are you a CPA?” and I answered yes. Emi continued, “I’ve been praying to God someone would help me with my divorce.”  I asked where she lived, and it turned out that she lived near me in Irvine. I smiled and said to myself, “Okay God, I’m listening.” Since that life-changing day, my husband and I have been blessed to help Emi secure 50% custody of her daughters, file for U.S. citizenship, negotiate her marital property settlement, and enroll her daughters in kindergarten.

Despite these successes, Emi continues to need help and I would ask our community to pray and possibly even step in to ensure her family’s needs are met. Most importantly, Emi needs to secure a job closer to her home in Irvine. Perhaps another crucial connection can be made right here within our own Crean Lutheran family. We would love to have the Crean Lutheran community pray for this dear family. In addition, I want to specifically appeal to any Mandarin-speaking Christians among us that can help provide fellowship and encouragement for this dear single mom and her daughters.”

With great appreciation,

Sue Berkel 
susanberkel714@gmail.com