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The Evangelical Free Church of
Merced began in August 1982 as a group of about 25 people who gathered in homes
for Bible study and prayer. The group soon began to meet in the conference room of at
the County Bank in Atwater. The group also used the
Scout Hut at Applegate Park. As the group began to grow the
decision
to become a church was confirmed as the group saught to be used by God
effectively in the Merced/Atwater area. The first Service of
Worship as the Evangelical Free Church of Merced was held on November 7,
1982 at the Fremont Elementary School. Bill Smith, who at
that time was a church planting missionary of the Western District of the
Evangelical Free Church of Amercia, was installed
as the Senior Pastor in September 1983. At that time the
church was conducting ministry in the cafeteria and gym at Hoover
Junior High School. In 1983 the church purchased a 7-acre parcel as a future
building site. |
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The
ministry grew to include Bible studies, AWANA, Junior and Senior High
youth, three adult groups, a Sunday School,
choir and youth choir, nursery, and many other ministry areas.Larry and Marsha Jones
were commissioned as short term missionaries to Columbia.
A small group of our fellowship were prayed for and sent off to establish
the Christian Reformed Church
in Merced.
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In
1984 Bill Miller became the Associate Pastor for Visitation and Senior
Ministries. That year the church purchased our facilities on "G" Street,
but retained the other property as a possible future building site.
Phil Stangland became the church's first Youth Pastor in 1985. A counseling
ministry was begun by on of the members, Dr. Maryann Biggers, in 1986.
Tim Denney became the Youth Pastor in 1989.
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Bill Smith left our church in 1995 to become the District Superintendent
for the Midwest District of the Evangelical Free Church of America.
Dave Gish became the Senior Pastor in 1996. Also in 1996 Tim Denney left
our church to work full time with Young Life. Richard Flatt became our
new Youth Pastor in 1997. Steve Muncherian
became our Senior Pastor in 2003. Also in 2003 we welcomed Steve York as our Associate
Pastor of Youth Ministries. |
The congregation
has gone through periods of adjustment and refocusing. From our early years participation
in the Sunday Service of Worship grew from 25 to about 260. In
1986 participation in the Service of Worship peaked with an average of
320. Currently Service of Worship participation is around 120. God has been faithful and
there is a sense that the unity of the Body is firmly grounded and focused
on seeking God's purposes for us as a congregation.
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A major milestone for
us was passed on January 4, 2004. During a special Service of Worship
we burned our mortgage
on the property. More than 150 former and present members of the congregation
joined with us as we gave thanks to God for His graciousness, provision,
and direction. Following the Service of Worship we enjoyed a Celebration
Luncheon which included a historic video presentation and the sharing of
memories by by founding pastor Bill Smith. |
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The
words of Pastor Bill Smith, shared on the occasion of our 10th anniversary,
still describe our congregation today. Speaking of the congregation
Pastor Bill Smith said, "There are always dreams when a new congregation
forms. People have different expectations but we have found that
our church has an important part to play in the ministry of Jesus Christ
in this community. I am glad we can be part of a group of churches
that proclaim that Jesus Christ is the answer to man's relationship to God
and the source of a meaningful life in the here and now."
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