Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,

according to the power at work within us,

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus

throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

 

Our History

 

For the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris, the year 2006 brought the celebration of our 50th anniversary.  In 1955 charter member Mrs. Carrie Gruhn penned the following words about the beginnings of the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris:

 

Sunday morning such a short time ago saw cars leaving our town, hurrying north and south, in search of the true Word of Life.  In each heart there was a strong assurance that a God who could speak into being limitless heavens and all that therein is, could also [speak] a sure and inspired perfect Word.  They sought those who would instill in their children this same unshakeable assurance.  And as they longed for this for their children, [their] thoughts reached out to others.

 

So began a fledgling group of four families that would partner with First Evangelical Free Church of Rockford, Illinois to form the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris.  From weekly prayer meetings in homes begun in the early 1950's the church held its first public Sunday service on September 11, 1955, with 16 present.  The church officially incorporated on September 13, 1956, and began to function on its own.  The charter membership roll was kept open for one year and boasted 24 members.  We currently have 126 members and average 215 in Sunday morning worship attendance.

 

 

                      

Charter member Clara Long with

grandson Mark Long and his wife Joyce

 

 

Our church has experienced the blessing of God in untold ways throughout the years.  As we have remained true to the initial vision of that fledgling prayer group to offer a church built on the authority and reliability of the Scriptures, people have responded.  From those four original families, we have now grown to more than 130 families.  Today over 50% of our families come from the surrounding communities of Oregon, Dixon, Polo, and Leaf River. 

 

Under our current leadership, our church has refined its vision and purpose.  The heartbeat of our mission is to glorify God through exalting Him in worship, encouraging spiritual growth in His followers, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others.  We strive to be distinctively God and Bible-centered in all that we do. Our vision is to share the grace of God with more and more people in the Rock River Valley that the giving of thanks may abound to the glory of God.