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Humble Beginnings
In April 1946, 500 leaflets were distributed throughout the community of
Crystal and six weeks of persistence and prayer resulted in two children
responding for Bible class at the local Village Hall. The vision for this
class came from Miss Eljane Sandberg and Mr. Wilbur Matheson. Experiencing
steady growth, that Bible class later became Crystal Evangelical Free Church
in 1949. The first building was constructed and Pastor Albert Sandberg was
called to pastor the congregation.
Early Growing Pains
The original building was expanded twice within six years, with additional
worship space added in 1960 under the subsequent pastorate of Arthur Hewitt.
Christian education wings were erected in 1962 and 1967 under the leadership
of Pastor Kenneth Meyer. Dr. Meyer was soon called to serve as President
of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and was succeeded in 1967 by Thomas
McDill. Several key staff were added and Genesis House, a dynamic coffee
house outreach ministry to youth began. The Worship Center was once again
enlarged in 1971.
A Move Of Faith
Growth continued, but further building expansion was prohibited by the City
of Crystal. The vision for a move to New Hope was born. A new 800-seat facility
on our present site was dedicated on Easter Sunday 1977. Elected president
of the Evangelical Free Church of America, Dr. McDill was succeeded that
year by Dr. James Olson. Dramatic growth continued under a strong pulpit
ministry and evangelistic outreach. As a result of faith and vision, a new
1,600-seat Worship Center was dedicated to the Lord in 1984. Crystal Free
Church called Dr. David Fisher as pastor in 1986. Pastor Fisher led the church
through some significant internal operation changes before completing his
ministry in 1989.
A Time Of New Blessings
With the church family sensing a new path ahead, Dr. Stephen Goold accepted
the call as senior pastor in 1990. Focusing on the basics of prayer, worship,
evangelism, stewardship, holy living, community involvement and global outreach,
the church experienced a renaissance of effective and relevant ministry.
Dynamic growth, as has been the case so often throughout our history, resulted
in the acquisition of a three-acre, 30,000 square foot Extended Campus located
six blocks away at 47th and Boone Avenue. The Extended Campus houses several
ministry departments, including Student, Care and PowerHouse ministries.
New Hope Church
Grateful for over 60 years of Christ-honoring history as Crystal Evangelical
Free Church, on February 4, 2007 the church family affirmed our future ministry
name as New Hope Church. As of July 1, 2007 our name officially changed to
New Hope Church efca. What isn’t changing is our unswerving denominational
affiliation with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) and unreserved
commitment to an evangelical view of Scripture and practice of ministry.
(See www.efca.org.) In addition, the church
acquired a third property on June 25, 2007. This building is to house New
Hope Church’s community-focused ministry, HopeBridge.
As we continue to seek God and depend upon him for our future as New Hope Church
we look forward to experiencing his amazing power, grace and redemption upon
our church, community and the world around us.
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