OUR HISTORY

    On Palm Sunday in April of 1965, some 27 people from around the area walked up 4x8 sheets of plywood to participate in the first-ever service of the new Messiah Lutheran Church. We were welcomed at the door with enthusiasm by Pastor David Borreson and told to go into the all-purpose room. We thought this was where we would have a short meeting to discuss our service and go over our new books. But on entering the room, we saw chairs (not pews) in all rows and Sandra Savard sitting at the organ. It was now perfectly clear--our first service was to be conducted in the all-purpose room. Needless to say, our first service went off without a hitch.

    After our service was concluded, Pastor Borreson explained to us that because we were a mission church, a steering committee would have to be formed to act as a governing body until a formal church council was elected. He asked if anyone would like to volunteer to be on such a committee. Within about a week, Pastor Borreson, along with the steering committee comprised of Ben Stoen, Ken Rosenhauer, Walter Tomten, and Chuck Johnson, began to meet for the purpose of conducting business to insure a good start for the new Messiah Lutheran Church.

    Since our first service, we have been led by eight pastors. Each has given us something to build upon. We have had six organists whom have helped to make our services musically meaningful. One of the more outstanding accomplishments came about 25 years ago when we raised enough money to become self-supporting. We had wanted to raise a certain amount, but were able to actually raise about triple that amount. When you believe, it can be done.

    In 1987, we had grown so much that we began to think about adding on to our present space. We needed to provide enough room for our Sunday School and VBS programs and office space for our additional staff. A feasibility study was done in the surrounding area to determine how we could use our space throughout the week as a form of outreach in our community. We found there was certainly a need for a Christian preschool and the dreams began to become a reality.

    In 1988 we broke ground and, in 1989, Messiah Christian Preschool opened with full enrollment at 44. Since that time we have reached out to over 1,000 families and our preschool program has grown to 80 three and four year old students.

    Today, some 40 years after that first service, we reflect on the past, rejoice in the present, and reach to the future with continued enthusiasm in being faithful witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ in our community and the world.

Written by Chuck Johnson, Charter Member