A Testimony of God's Grace
It was in 1963 that a small group of believers met for a Bible study in a nearby home. From this beginning a church was born with 28 charter members. God had great things in mind.
As His vision grew in His people, so did the numbers of those hungry to know and grow in Jesus Christ. Within short years, meetings were relocated to the YMCA building on the ISU Campus; then yet another relocation to the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Grand Ave.
As His vision grew in His people, a first pastor came to lead (Rev. Milo Lundell). Soon evident was the reality that this growing church needed a new home, and thus in life-stretching faith 5 acres were purchased midst the corn fields on a dirt road on the north side of town. In 1969, a small worship center and kitchen facilities were constructed.
As God’s vision continued to grow in His people, expansion of that initial facility happened time and time again:
• in 1976, a Christian Education Wing was completed for a growing Children’s ministry
• in 1986, a 700 seat Worship Sanctuary and foyer area were completed
• in 1995, a 10,000 sq. feet Ministry Center was added to the east of the sanctuary
• in 2000, after a church-wide, prayer-driven process the church determined that the limitations of our five acre site would continue to threaten the long term health and fruitfulness of our vision if not addressed. A decision was made to pursue re-location from the five acre campus.
Shortly, after this decision, a property owner in the community approached the church with an offer of acreage uniquely situated in a future residential growth corridor of Ames, just 2 miles northwest of the present location. Sensing God's leadership, the church determined to purchase the 75 acre parcel at GW Carver and Cameron School Road. God quickly supplied resources to pay for the land.
• in 2002, the “Outback” Children’s ministry space was added on the south pad on the five acre site to accommodate a flourishing Promiseland ministry to children.
Planning for development of the GW Carver campus has been on-going since 2003. The Carver site master plan anticipates phased development in three stages. After a year of construction, in August, 2009, the first phase was dedicated with a 32,000 sq ft facility on 15 acres of landscaped improvements. This phase one facility, called "The Plex", contains a full-size gym, 300 seat presentation venue, commercial kitchen, coffee gathering area, and administrative space to support six staff members. We are grateful to God for His continued supply over many years allowing this dream to become a reality.
Today, with growing ministries and a Sunday morning ministry to 1200+, we have as a congregation drawn upon God’s wisdom to conclude that in order to insure the long term health and growth of Jesus’ ministry through us, complete relocation to the new Carver Campus (i.e., the 75 acre site) is imperative.
His vision for reaching people continues to grow in God’s people here at First EFC. The church growth we’ve seen is for God’s glory alone. It is for His glory that we continue with “The Journey” – so that we can impact more lives for the kingdom of God.