Midland Evangelical Church

1983

Midland Evangelical Free Church started in December 1983. Six adults from Midland, who were commuting to services at the Bay City Evangelical Free Church, met in a Midland home for Bible study. They began to consider the possibility of planting a church in Midland. In January 1984, several others joined them for a regular Sunday evening Bible study. The group began laying a biblical foundation for the purpose of the church and the qualities that they desired to see in a church. The purpose was defined as: To bring praise, honor and glory to God by allowing Jesus Christ to build His church.

1985

On July 7, 1985, our first public worship service was held at what is now the Midland Ramada Inn Conference Center, with approximately 30 present. Our original name was Living Hope Evangelical Free Church, but for simplicity, it was subsequently changed to Midland Evangelical Free Church. In 1986 Phil Green was called to be the first pastor.

1988

In December 1988, a vintage church building, school, and parsonage campus was purchased on the corner of Gordon and Grove Streets. At this time average attendance was 75. Pastor Jay Childs, our second and current pastor, came to Midland Free in 1990. As our attendance rapidly grew, it became evident that a new campus was needed.

1993

In 1993, with an average attendance of 250, our current property was purchased, and the task of building began. Midland Free moved to this new facility in August 1996 with an average attendance of 570.

1999

Since then, due to rapid growth, a Family Ministry Center was added in 1999 and our church offices moved off campus to provide additional classroom space in 2001.

2000

A Steering Group was appointed by the Elders in summer 2000 to obtain information regarding new land, design/build options and finances. The church body met on April 29, 2001, and approved a search for new land, a search for a firm equipped to design and build a new facility, and proceeding with a stewardship campaign.

2002

The Building a Brighter Beacon, Beam by Beam, campaign began in January 2002 with Matthew 5:16 as the theme verse, "Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good deeds, and praise your Father in heaven."

After 40 days of devotions and a prayer vigil, Midland Free designated March 10, 2002, as Celebration Sunday, a time when we celebrated our past and stepped out in faith by making financial commitments to the future.

Three Rivers Construction was selected in winter 2002 as the firm to design and build a new facility for Midland Free. In June 2002 the Oskvarek farm was purchased. It is a 78-acre parcel just 1.2 mile south on Jefferson Road from our current campus.

2003

On June 8, 2003, at the annual business meeting, the membership voted to proceed with the final design and construction of Phase 1 of our new campus.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 22, 2003. Tractors moved in and dirt began to move in September 2003. The site began to change on a daily basis as Three Rivers began construction of a new "tool for ministry."

2005

We took occupancy of our new campus in February of 2005. Our mission inside and outside the borders of our campus is to glorify God by making, maturing and multiplying disciples of Jesus in mid-Michigan and to the least reached peoples of the Earth.

2008

Now, 25 years since its inception, approximately 1500 people (average weekly attendance) consider Midland Free their church home. It is our vision to be a church of IMPACT for Christ in our communities, our region, and the world through:
I - Intentional Evangelism
M - Mentor the Next Generations
P - Passionate Worship
A - Authentic Christian Living
C - Compassionate Care
T - Take Christ to the Nations