Grace Evangelical Free Church started in early 2003 as a small group of families and individuals who, feeling compelled to seek a changed environment in which to nourish their spiritual yearnings, began discussions about starting a new church body. Initially, this group met in the lower level of Family Practice and Surgical Specialists. Due to the growth of the congregation they began meeting on Sunday mornings in the upper portion of the Norelius Community Library. During those months, the group explored possible options for the future of the prospective church. Two different denominations were thoughtfully considered. the group decided to formally align with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA). The “Statement of Faith” of the EFCA reflected the group’s beliefs and they felt the church would be a positive addition to the community.
By March of 2004, the group had formally become a church plant, meeting in member homes on Wednesday evenings and enjoying a “walk through the Old Testament” under the guidance of Pastor Arlyn Abrams, EFCA Church Planter from Beresford, South Dakota. Sunday services continued to be held in the meeting rooms of the Norelius Community Library, with Pastor John Aiken of Arthur, Iowa providing the message. After finishing the Old Testament study, the group began to work on their vision, values, and goals for the church in the Denison community. They were also working to formulate their Constitution and By-laws.
In November of 2004, Grace Evangelical Free Church was publicly announced and the place of worship was moved to the Denison Elementary School. Sunday School classes for all ages were held at 9:30am and worship services at 10:30am, with Arlyn Abrams serving as pastor. In the spring of 2005, the congregation was ready to seek the services of a full-time pastor. After several months of preliminary work and interviewing, Pastor Matt Ernst of Lexington, Kentucky accepted the call as the full-time pastor in the spring of 2006.
During the summer of 2008, the church met at the Donna Reed Theater before returning to the elementary school that fall. In December of 2008 the church was given the old IBP Office Building. After putting a new roof on it and doing a few renovations to the inside, Grace Evangelical Free Church found it’s first permanent home. To this day, we are still meeting in that building.
In June of 2009, the church hired a local pastor, Brian Rihner, to replace Matt as the full-time pastor. And in February 2013, the church hired Zach Brenner from Ames, Iowa as its first full-time Associate Pastor.
To learn what our future may hold, please visit our Where We Are Headed page.