Finding Faith in Plain Sight: How Rev. John Burger of Iowa Identifies Gospel Handles in a Secular Age

ADEL, IA / ACCESS Newswire / January 29, 2026 / In an era where religious affiliation is shifting and secularism seems to be the dominant cultural language, many believers feel that the Christian faith has been pushed to the margins of society. However, Rev. John Burger, a seasoned theologian and the Missionary at Large for Metanoia Ministries, argues that the evidence of the Gospel is not hidden. It is not confined behind the stained glass of a cathedral or buried in ancient texts. Instead, he posits that faith is hiding in plain sight, woven intrinsically into the fabric of daily life.

Rev. John Burger calls these everyday evidences "gospel handles." These are the familiar symbols, phrases, and cultural markers that act as entry points for profound spiritual conversations. For Burger, who served for decades as a pastor in Adel, Iowa, identifying these handles is the key to bridging the gap between the church and the unchurched in the modern world.

The Unavoidable Anchor of History

One of the most pervasive, yet often overlooked, gospel handles is the very system used to mark time. Rev. Burger points out that every time a person glances at a calendar or dates a document, they are acknowledging the centrality of Jesus Christ in human history. Whether one writes the current year as 2026 AD or simply 2026, the reference point remains the same.

The letters AD stand for Anno Domini, a Latin phrase meaning "in the year of our Lord." While academic circles have attempted to shift the nomenclature to BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era), the turning point of the timeline has not changed. The "Common Era" is still defined by the approximate birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Rev. John Burger notes that this serves as a quiet, constant reminder of Christ's historical existence. It is a built-in handle that places Jesus at the very center of the shared human timeline, making His influence difficult to deny even for the skeptic.

The Gospel in the Public Square

Beyond the calendar, Rev. John Burger identifies auditory and visual handles that permeate popular culture. In crowded stadiums, at major sporting events, and across televised broadcasts, the alphanumeric code "John 3:16" frequently appears on handmade signs. Burger describes this phenomenon as the Gospel in a nutshell.

Even if an observer does not know the verse by heart, the reference acts as a cultural placeholder for a message of sacrificial love and eternal hope. It prompts curiosity and recalls the promise that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Similarly, Burger highlights the ubiquity of Christmas carols. During the holiday season, songs like Joy to the World and Silent Night are played in shopping malls and secular spaces across Iowa and the world. These songs are not merely festive background noise; they are theological proclamations of the Incarnation, bringing the message of the Savior to audiences who might never step foot inside a John Burger church service.

The Shepherd's Psalm as a Covenant

Perhaps the most potent handle Rev. John Burger identifies is the 23rd Psalm. Often associated with funerals and mourning, Burger argues that this ancient text is actually a vibrant invitation into a covenant relationship with the Creator. When a person recites, "The Lord is my shepherd," they are not speaking to a distant deity but claiming a personal, familial bond.

Drawing on his background serving the Iowa District West (IDW), Burger emphasizes the counter-cultural power of the phrase, "I shall not want." In a modern society driven by consumerism and the endless pursuit of "more," this declaration offers a radical alternative: contentment found in Divine provision. The Shepherd's rod and staff are not instruments of fear, but tools of guidance and protection. Burger suggests that this Psalm resonates so deeply with the human spirit because it acknowledges the reality of "the valley of the shadow of death" while promising that no one has to walk through that valley alone.

From the Pulpit to the Public

This perspective on "gospel handles" is born from a lifetime of service. Rev. John Burger, Adel resident and former pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, spent thirty years in parish ministry. His journey took him from Concordia Seminary to serving congregations in Texas, Missouri, and Nebraska, before settling in the Des Moines metro area.

Throughout his tenure with the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod (LCMS), including his time with Rev. John Burger IDW initiatives, he championed the idea that ministry must extend beyond the walls of the church building. This conviction eventually led him to resign from the LCMS roster to form Metanoia Ministries. As a Missionary at Large, he now partners with Christians of all denominations to reach unbelievers, using these "gospel handles" to show the love of Jesus to those outside the traditional fold.

Recognizing the Invitations Around Us

The core of Rev. John Burger's message is that opportunities to share faith are not rare; they are abundant if one has the eyes to see them. The calendar on the wall, the anthem at a football game, and the poetry of the Psalms are all invitations. They are common grounds where the believer can meet the skeptic and start a conversation not about religion, but about history, hope, and comfort.

By recognizing these handles, Christians can move past the intimidation of evangelism and simply point out what is already there. Rev. John Burger believes that when the church begins to see the world through this lens, the divide between the sacred and the secular begins to close, revealing a world that is yearning for the Good Shepherd.

Connect with Metanoia Ministries

If you are looking for ways to deepen your understanding of the Bible or want to learn how to identify these "gospel handles" in your own interactions, Metanoia Ministries offers resources and partnership opportunities. Join Rev. John Burger in the mission to bring the hope of the Gospel to the unchurched and see the world with new eyes.

To learn more visit: https://rev-johnburger.com/

Contact Rev. John Burger: burger@rev-johnburger.com

SOURCE: Rev. John Burger