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HISTORY OF THE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH IN AMERICA
In the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Denmark and Sweden about
120 -130 years ago, the Lutheran state church became more state than
church. Appointments were for political reasons rather than for spiritual
reasons. Children were baptized as infants and registered as citizens
of the state at that same time. Therefore, true born again believers
began to meet in what they called "Reader's Circles." Today
we would call them home Bible studies. In these circles they would
read, interpret the scriptures and apply it to themselves. Eventually
they developed into local churches. These local churches were called "Free
Churches," due to the fact that they were not state controlled.
When these groups from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden moved to America,
they eventually joined together to form the Evangelical Free Church
of America in 1950. The name "Evangelical" was added to "Free
Church" to indicate that we believe strongly in the Word of God
and are associated with the other churches in our association for the
purpose of sending out the "Good News" that salvation
is a free gift in Christ.
Our purpose is to make disciple-making
followers of our Lord Jesus,
who are devoted to loving God, one another and the world.
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