Our History
Jeremiah 29; 11-12, says, ”For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you."
Our journey into the "new world" of starting a new congregation has been quite a whirlwind tour, but God has led us every step of the way. There was a group of us, about 20 people, that initially bonded together, knew the need to find something new, and urgently desiring to get organized; fearing that we would be scattered. An interim council was chosen to help with organizing our congregation and by the next day we had a place to worship; the Wesley United Methodist Church in Harvey opened their doors to us. They were extremely accommodating to us, and we are so thankful to all of them.
Our first Sunday, May 2nd, had us questioning if anyone would come. We had secured Pastor Bob Nordvall from Charity Lutheran Church in Bismarck to conduct our service. We hoped that we would get at least 30 people to come to worship together. Little did we know how God was about to begin unfolding His plan for us. Sunday morning, May 2nd, people began to arrive--and just kept coming! We had 100 adults and children that first Sunday. It was a glorious day! We stood taller, we smiled larger, hugged harder, and sang louder. We praised God with song and lessons. Our first worship was so aptly described by one of our youth as he spoke to his mother, "Wow Mom, everyone is so happy. This really does feel like church.” How much better can it be than that?
We received our status as non-profit, charitable organization in May 2010 and developed our bylaws. God has been faithful to us and has led us in our organization process. How else could we have accomplished so much in such a short time?
We are on a challenging path set before us by God as a new congregation in Harvey North Dakota. Harvey is a small town where people are watching us and talking about what we are doing and yet, there are some who do not understand the whole story wonder why we had to leave and start a new church. We have come far in a very short time, all because God made it happen.
Beginning September 2010 we met at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, who was very accommodating to us, and then in May 2014 we purchased the United Methodist Church building where this all began. Immediately we began a building renovation and addition, of the new sanctuary and kitchen/office wing. These parts were dedicated on August 28, 2016.
As an organized congregation in the LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ), we continue to have many new adventures and challenged ahead of us; but we know that God will not send us anywhere His grace cannot take us. Faith Lutheran Church will continue in the classical Christian faith as it has been passed down to us by generations of Lutheran Christians, rooted in Scripture and the love of Jesus Christ.