Real Life Church | Pastor Jim and Beth Gooden
Pastor Jim and Beth Gooden’s story of life, ministry, and vocation is one that comes full circle. Now pastoring the very church they grew up in, they are seeing a season of health, growth, and excitement at Real Life Church in Roseville, MN.
Beth’s father, Don Filbeck, pastored in Roseville from 1970 to 1996, when it was known as Roseville Assembly of God, and Jim was part of the congregation during those years. In high school, Jim wandered from his faith. Shortly after graduation, at Beth’s open house party, she “dared” him to come back to church. Jim accepted, attended the very next Sunday, and never left. They began dating shortly after, marrying at ages 21 and 20.
In the years that followed, Jim served faithfully under Pete Drake in various pastoral roles before becoming Executive Pastor in 2013. Jim stepped into the lead pastor role in January 2017.
From the beginning, Jim and Beth committed to building a healthy church culture. “Growth is the byproduct of health,” Jim says, pointing to intentional discipleship, authentic relationships, and excellence in ministry.
In January 2023, during the church’s 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, a noticeable spiritual shift occurred. What began as Jim and Beth praying alone on Saturdays grew into a committed team of leaders and members interceding weekly. Prayer became central to the culture of Real Life.
Pastor Jim attributes recent growth to the people of Real Life: “Our people are incredible… they’re our best way of getting the word out. I hear almost every week from guests: ‘I’ve never been to a church like this before,’ and what they’re talking about is our people.” With a large host team championed by Connections Pastor Taylor Drake, visitors encounter warmth and genuine relationships.
Earlier this year, Jim was diagnosed with a treatable form of cancer and underwent successful surgery. During routine testing, doctors discovered a serious aortic aneurysm requiring open-heart surgery. As Jim prepared for medical leave and interim leadership at the church, a final CT scan, just before the scheduled surgery, revealed the aneurysm had completely disappeared—no operation needed. With no medical explanation, the healing was attributed to prayer and the faith of the church community. “The only thing that changed is that we prayed,” Jim shared. “Our church prayed, our team prayed, and God just changed it.” The experience has become a powerful healing testimony and inspired renewed faith across the congregation.
Jim and Beth see their role as empowering others and building a Spirit-empowered, Scripture-rooted culture. “We’re not that good,” says Jim, “God is just doing something amazing, and we’re grateful to be part of it.”
