Erik Brecheisen (right) stands alongside his family Oct. 24. Next to Erik is his mother, father and little brother Max. The whole family remains bilingual even though English is the main language spoken in the household. | Submitted photo

Brecheisen returns to foreign country

Bethel student was glad to have the opportunity to grow up in Omsk but settles now in Arden Hills, Minnesota.

By Brandt Botterill | Reporter

Erik Brecheisen grew up differently from most American children. Mostly because he didn’t grow up in America. Son of a missionary, Brecheisen spent the first 15 years of his life calling Omsk, Russia, home. It wasn’t until high school that his family permanently returned back to the United States after his father spent almost 25 years as a missionary in Russia.

Before, Brecheisen would be in the U.S. for just a couple months every other summer. But now he was coming back for good. Starting high school was tough enough for the average teenager, but even harder when you’re used to the teacher speaking Russian.

Erik Brecheisen stands in front of Lake Minnetonka as the sun sets in the background in 2020. Brecheisen is now a freshman in college at Bethel University, a long way from where he grew up in Omsk, Russia. “I had a lot of great experiences,” Erik said about growing up. “I really appreciate growing up in a foreign country.”

Since 1995, Brecheisen’s father was drawn to ministry by becoming a missionary in a place halfway across the world. He was always drawn to different cultures and felt God’s calling truly pushing him to go to Russia. His dad would go on to meet Brecheisen’s mother, who grew up in Omsk, and later moved with their family away from her only home.

The family continues to work with a missionary organization called “The Navigators” as regional leaders of the Russian ministry.

“Even though he can’t be there,” Brecheisen said about his father, “he’s constantly on call with staff there and still very involved with what they are doing in Russia”

“Even though I love Russia so much, the ultimate dream was to get here and receive an education in America.” — Erik Brecheisen, Bethel University freshman.

Although Brecheisen missed the friendships he built throughout elementary and middle school in Russia, he was still excited to move closer to family and to the United States.

“Even though I love Russia so much,” Brecheisen said, “the ultimate dream was to get here and receive an education in America”

Now a freshman at Bethel University, Erik was glad to have the opportunity to grow up in Omsk but settles now in Arden Hills, Minnesota.