The Evangelical Free Church is the product of the merger of two revival churches - the Swedish Evangelical Free Church and the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association. The Swedish group had its formal beginnings in Boone, Iowa in the late 1880's. At the same time, two Norwegian-Danish groups began to fellowship together in Boston, Massachusetts and Tacoma, Washington. These groups respectively became the Swedish Evangelical Free Church and the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association. The two merged in 1950 to the form the Evangelical Free Church of America. 
Evangelical refers to a commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel and to the authority of Scriptures.
Free refers to the way the church is governed - by the lay people of the congregation.
I visited Hope Evangelical Free Church today for their 10:45 am Sunday Service.
The service was simple and sweet. There was much musical worship to start the service off. I do not know if it was the decorations or something else but the sanctuary was very serene. Pastor Josh Swanson gave a sermon entitled, "The Martyr." He spoke of St. Steven who was stoned to death by the Israelites. Stephen has been brought before the Sanhedrin for being a missionary of Jesus of Nazarene. Rather than defend himself, he gave a speech about Abraham, Moses, and the legacy of Jesus. He also chastised the Israelites for the prosecution of prophets. He knew his fate was sealed so he used his audience as an opportunity to give Testimony of his faith in Jesus. Stephen was then stoned to death and became the first recorded Martyr (other than Jesus) in the Christian religion. Pastor Swanson spoke of the courage Stephen had when facing death. He talked about the everyday sacrifices that people make - for jobs, for fitness goals, for monetary gain and status but how many sacrifices do we make for God, our Religion, or to live a life according to Jesus' teachings.
After the sermon there was an offering, more music, announcements, and a prayer to send the congregation off for the week.
Jesus Christ pronounced Yes over You!
The service was simple and sweet. There was much musical worship to start the service off. I do not know if it was the decorations or something else but the sanctuary was very serene. Pastor Josh Swanson gave a sermon entitled, "The Martyr." He spoke of St. Steven who was stoned to death by the Israelites. Stephen has been brought before the Sanhedrin for being a missionary of Jesus of Nazarene. Rather than defend himself, he gave a speech about Abraham, Moses, and the legacy of Jesus. He also chastised the Israelites for the prosecution of prophets. He knew his fate was sealed so he used his audience as an opportunity to give Testimony of his faith in Jesus. Stephen was then stoned to death and became the first recorded Martyr (other than Jesus) in the Christian religion. Pastor Swanson spoke of the courage Stephen had when facing death. He talked about the everyday sacrifices that people make - for jobs, for fitness goals, for monetary gain and status but how many sacrifices do we make for God, our Religion, or to live a life according to Jesus' teachings.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ~ Acts 2:44-45
It is very Cool to love Jesus these days, but it is not too trendy to dedicate your life to sacrifice and selfless acts. The minister talked about the criticism that people receive when they make sacrifices in the name of Religion and how they are often labeled as extreme or overboard. After the sermon there was an offering, more music, announcements, and a prayer to send the congregation off for the week.
THANK YOU Hope Evangelical Free Church sharing your service with me.
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