People always seem to be talking about North Highline's Kevin Berg. He has this effect on people because he is always up to something.

2006 will clearly be the year of Kevin Berg. On the fast track on the road to goals and accomplishments, Berg has gained a reputation for overcoming personal obstacles.

Now he has another passion: his ministry.

“Living the Purpose” Speaking Ministries exists to encourage people to discover their purpose in life, so they may live in true joy and leave a mark on people, their community and the world.

Berg is quite concerned about today’s youth and shares his personal opinion: “Today’s youth lack positive, down-to-earth role models to look for advice about respect and making choices in life.

“As a result, they either make poor, sometimes unhealthy decisions or they look to the faux, glamorous lifestyle of Hollywood. They put themselves at risk for failure and disappointment because they have not learned how to make the right choices. I want to change that.”

Berg elaborates by saying he wants students to look to him as an example, and he believes it is necessary for someone to step up and intentionally become a purposefully positive role model for these young people.

“My desire,” he adds, “is to provide motivational and life-changing school programs with the assistance of my wife, Melinda, on topics such as attitude, determination, respect, and life choices.”

Berg and wife Melinda with fierce determination are touching and impacting lives. His goal is to provide assembly programs, workshops, and even all-day programs at no cost to schools.

The couple makes a dynamic motivational and inspirational speaking team. They are speaking at churches, most recently at Burien’s Highline Christian Church.

And Berg’s book, A Life with Purpose, is climbing in sales. His vision is to sell 100,000 books in the New Year.

Kevin and Melinda Berg have quickly become renowned. Perhaps it is the fact that miracles seem to surround their lives.

Kevin has been afflicted with cerebral palsy since birth and his parents were told while he was young that he should be “institutionalized.” Doctors predicted that Berg would remain in a near-vegetative state.

Berg went on to earn two college degrees. He met Melinda, who holds a Master’s Degree in Education, and who has extensive training in Special Education.

Theirs is a love story. The rest, as they say, is history.

Then there is Gabriella. Born three months premature, she has that strong will which is identical to her father’s -- and obviously inherited from him.

In a Times/News story which appeared last year, “Baby’s First Christmas” was a heart felt story of courage and strength.

Gabriella was so tiny at birth -- weighing just over one pound -- that her dad could literally place his ring up her arm.

But Gabriella was determined to live. Today, she is a happy, busy toddler, scurrying about the family home. Rambunctious, and into everything, Gabriella keeps her mom and dad on their toes.

Berg cherishes family life, explaining, “life with a toddler is very different because Melinda and I spend half our time chasing her around and cleaning up her messes. Actually, Melinda does the majority of that.

“I try to entertain Gabriella by singing, tickling her, and playing peek-a-boo with her. She definitely has no fear of my disability. For her, it is completely normal that her Daddy is in a wheelchair and needs help. The other day, she actually fed me a french fry.”

Melinda’s nephew Zach, who has been diagnosed with mild autism, completes the family.

The Berg family could even be seen on television soon. Kevin and Melinda are applying for the television program, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

However, Berg feels their chances of being accepted for the home renovation program are slim. He acknowledges that the program receives a huge number of requests from families, but still holds hope.

The family is appealing to the program because of their need for an accessible restroom. Berg also spends most of his time in the garage because the family’s living area in his parent’s home is so small.

But one thing is certain: expect to see more of Kevin Berg and their family in the New Year.

In the meantime, Berg’s book, A Life with Purpose, is available on-line at Amazon.com, BN.com, Lulu.com and KevinBergBooks.com.

You can learn more about Berg’s ministry at www.LivingThePurpose.org or by sending an email to Kevin@LivingThePurpose.org.

Sometimes it is nice to just check in and get an update. For the Berg family, life is still to be lived with no limitations and boundaries.

This philosophy won’t change. The Berg family is an inspiration to all of us to do something incredible.