Church celebrates 125 years of service

CONCORD — God’s faithfulnesses continues through all generations.

That steadfast promise in Psalms 119 served as a backdrop for Concord Evangelical Free Church’s 125th anniversary celebration on Sunday.

God has used his people to further the mission of the church and is one of the reasons it’s not only surviving but thriving after 125 years, said Senior Pastor Todd Thelen.

“God’s faithfulness, the servants heart of the people and their willingness to sacrifice time and financial resources and just their commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to further that cause - we have a lot of really good people here,” he said.

The church started in 1897 as a Swedish Free Mission Church. It was located in rural Dixon County before being moved in 1918 to where the current building now stands in Concord.

The Forsberg family of Concord was instrumental in getting the church started and many of the family’s descendants remain active today. Nearly 275 consider Concord Evangelical Free Church their church home.

One shining example of God’s faithfulness is how the church has grown even during the COVID-19 pandemic when worshiping together in person was put on hold.

At first, Thelen posted a pre-recorded sermon online. As COVID restrictions started to loosen, congregants started to meet outside in the parking lot for worship. Then, worship was moved into the church’s gym - typically used only for youth ministry - with socially-distanced spacing.

“Through COVID we actually grew in attendance and now we are staying out in the gym because we don’t fit in our sanctuary,” Thelen said. “It’s been a real blessing.”

Although no plans have been developed, an expansion or possibly building a new sanctuary to accommodate more people has been discussed, Thelen said.

The months-in-the-making activities to commemorate the 125th anniversary culminated Sunday with coffee and fellowship, worship service, a ham dinner and a celebration service with special music and appearances by previous church pastors.

Thelen, who has served as pastor for more than 20 years, joins Associate Pastor Scott Kahn who’s been in charge of youth and children’s ministry for the past five years. The church offers an Awana club for youth, Bible studies, a worship band, and men’s and women’s ministries.