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Our History. . . which is His Story.

Early Planting Stage

The Morris Evangelical Free Church began as a prayer. Axel and June Pearson prayed for Morris for years until the Lord brought about the vision in the hearts of the people in Hancock Evangelical Free Church see the possibility of starting a church in Morris. Pastor Merlin Egland was called to serve the Hancock church in 1971 with this vision in mind.

Pastor Egland was first hesitant to come to Hancock but received assurance from Lestor Nelson, the District Superintendent, that he would be not alone in this project as the District would partner with Hancock. Pastor Egland relates the events the following summer of 1972, "We had a booth at the Stevens County Fair. Free Church headquarters supplied us with books to sell. As a way of advertising, we met for a service the week before the fair so at the fair we could say we were already a church. The Lord really blessed. In the first five weeks we added five families. The group grew to 36 plus me, Lois, and her sister Rachel Stilwell (Noordmans), who was living with us. Add to that some students and we had a good core group."

There were 14 people in attendance for the first public service meeting at the Steven County Courthouse August 5, 1973. In December of that year services were moved to the Otter Tail Power Co. building. On January 21, 1974 the Evangelical Free Church of Morris was incorporated. Years later Pastor Egland reflected, "The Morris Church was truly a step of faith. I had no experience in planting churches. I was only following the desire for a church and trusting the Lord to work. In all my church planting, I think the Morris church grew faster in its early stages than any other church that I have worked with".

Growth and Stability

For over two years the church met in the downstairs of the Otter Tail building. Sunday school classes were held everywhere--on the upstairs landing, coat room, and even in the ladies lounge! Pastor Egland remarked, "It seemed like every family had a two-year old at this time". Several Bible studies met in the homes. The church was growing biologically and with additional families coming.

The Bible study group at the University grew to the largest group on campus (nearly 70 students at their weekly praise time) under the capable leadership of Chuck French. At one time there were 10 different Bible study groups meeting in the dorms that Chuck had trained. Later these groups would officially register with the University as Intervarsity Fellowship.

In September of 1974 Robert Ellis was called to serve the church as its first full-time pastor. Later in February of 1975 MEFC made a decision to purchase 4.8 acres of land just south of the Villa of St. Francis. The first worship service was held in the new facility one year later on February 29, 1976 with 92 people attending.

The congregation was made up not only of Morris residents but many from the surrounding areas, traveling as far as 40 miles. The common passion was to be part of God work in a church fellowship that was Biblically based, evangelical ministry.  Continued growth was seen under pastor Floyd Hackett's ministry (1979-1984) and under the brief stay of pastor Merle Christensen (1985-1986).

With the continued growth the need for additional staff was apparent. In September 1989 the first youth director's position was added (part-time). Under the visionary leadership of Pastor Mike Sager (1986-2005) the church continued to grow and additional staff needed to be added. The first full-time associate pastors position was added in 1991. In 1998 there was the need to bring on a part-time church administrator as one of the elders filled that role. In April of 2000 it was decided to bring on a third full-time pastoral position, Associate Pastor of Adult Ministries. A part-time children's ministries director was added in January of 2002.

Facilities had to be expanded as well. A new Christian education wing was added in 1992 with most of the labor provided by the congregational members.  The Christian education programs were strong with children, youth, and adults.  The ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) facilitated Biblical education and fellowship among the adults. Not only was the church characterized by strong Biblical preaching and teaching, it had a caring outreach to the hurting and lonely through the Befrienders ministry. The annual Vacation Bible School for children held in July was one of the church's most effective outreach events. 

The two worship service format was added in 1999 and the average Sunday attendance peaked at 282 in 2004.

With the loss of three pastors in during the course of 2005, the church entered a transitional phase of leadership including a new elder board. Pastor Howard Westlund, a caring and seasoned pastor, came to serve as interim pastor during the crucial time of November 2005 to January 2007. Since there was a drop in attendance the church went back to a one worship format. Pastor Marlin Mohrman accepted the call as pastor in February of 2007 and serves currently.

 

MEFC TODAY

Currently we have an average of 242 people attending services each Sunday with 470 people (including babies) who call Morris EFC their church home.  In September 2008 we returned to a two-service format.  Sunday worship services at 8:30 a.m. (traditional) and 10:30 a.m. (contemporary).  We have been blessed by God to see a renewed commitment among our attenders as our formal membership has grown from 101 to 153 the last two years.

A new Fellowship Center was completed last year (April 2008) to provide more room for fellowship on Sunday morning and the building of relationships. It serves as an ideal place for fireside Bible studies and group meetings.

During the course of the last year a brand new ministry staff was added to direct some of the crucial ministries. Teresa Kruger became the new Children's Ministry Director in the summer of 2008. Joel Flaten assumed the full-time position of Ministry Administrator in March 2009 to oversee finances, facility, and ministry leadership. Bart Graves, who founded the Benson Youth For Christ, has come on as our youth director in May 2009.  Recently, an accomplished musician and worship leader, Greg Kneprath, joined our staff in June 2010.

Our more recent initiatives include:

1.  A renewed emphasis on prayer led by a dynamic Prayer Team.

2.  Adding a contemporary service to reach out to the young families and the college students.

2. A renewed emphasis on our small group ministry including DivorceCare or Griefshare.  

3.  The CareNet program is more of a "broad net" which seeks to organize "family vigilance" among Christians attending MEFC with twelve groups of 10-12 family units each shepherded by a Group Leader couple.

4.  Short term mission trips to New Orleans, Galveston, and Haiti have opened our eyes to the needs of people in new way.

5.  Compassion ministries such as Feed My Starving Children has mobilized hundreds of people in the Morris Area to pack over 200,000 meals each year, being the "Hand and Feet of Jesus" to a hungry and hurting world.

6. The Outreach Event team has organized an annual community venue featuring Christian comedians as David Pendleton, Bob Stromberg, and Darin Streblow. Contemporary Christian artist, Tami Trent, will be in concert May 1 at the Morris Area Concert Hall. 

7.  On October 4, the congregation voted to bring on a full-time Hispanic pastor.  Hispanic worship services began in May 2010. 

It is our desire when history is over and we look back from heaven to reflect on Morris Evangelical Free Church that it truly will be His Story.