Merritt became pastor of the First Baptist Church (
Eagle Brook Church) of
White Bear Lake in 1991. By 1997, when the church took its present name, average weekend attendance had grown to 1,400. To encourage people who may have been turned off by the formality of other churches, Merritt deliberately gave Eagle Brook an informal atmosphere with no stained glass, pews or altar. Merritt attributes the healthy level of donations from his core congregation to the sense of mission in the church, the drive to reach as many people as possible and help them grow in their faith. He also emphasizes the importance of providing more than just a place to hear music and listen to an inspiring or helpful message, but to also be active in the world community assisting the oppressed, poor and hungry. Although retired from Eagle Brook Church, according to the former pastor's website, Bob Merritt remains engaged in his ministry. He now dedicates himself to advising and coaching other pastors and ministries. Additionally, Merritt continues to contribute to the broader faith community by speaking at churches and conferences and sharing his expertise and experiences to encourage and educate others in their spiritual and leadership journeys. ==Leadership training==