Grounded, Growing, and Going
Identity
Lakes Free Church is “a growing community of family, friends, and neighbors walking the journey of life and faith together” (lakesfree.org). Our identity is grounded in faith in Jesus, the one and only Son of God. He is the source and giver of life, and we place our hope in the promise of His redemption and return.
Lakes Free Church was founded 35 years ago by a small group of visionaries from a neighboring Evangelical Free church. Lakes Free has exceeded those founders’ dreams; they have seen God at work multiplying disciples who believe “that God has placed [them] in the Chisago Lakes area to be a loving, Biblical, and relevant witness to the grace and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Lakes Free Vision Statement). Lakes Free Church is a member of the Evangelical Free Church of America (efca.org).
Lakes Free Church serves the Lakes Area of east-central Minnesota, a thriving cluster of towns surrounded by scenic waters. The area includes Chisago City, Lindström, Center City, Shafer, and Taylors Falls. Founded by Scandinavians in the 1850s on lands occupied by native Ojibwa long before, these towns form a vibrant, welcoming community. Together, they boast 20,000 people and are located 35-45 miles northeast of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. The Lakes Area has a vibrant retail, restaurant, medical, and professional services base. It is also home to many people whose employers are in the Twin Cities. The Lakes Free campus is located near the local high school and community center on the south edge of Lindström.
Mission
The stated mission of Lakes Free Church is “to glorify God by making healthy multiplying disciples who will work together to reach the world for Jesus Christ” (Matthew 28:18-20). That mission is further defined in the trio of adjectives first outlined by Senior Pastor Jason Carlson in 2017: Lakes Free is Grounded in the truth of God’s Word, Growing in grace and obedience, and Going into the world in faith to make disciples.
Growth & Assimilation
Lakes Free Church is a flourishing body of believers. Pre-pandemic Sunday attendance was growing, averaging about 600 between two worship services (including children). Under the state’s 2020 pandemic guidelines, in-person attendance is limited to 50% of building capacity and attendance has dropped roughly 60%; however, online viewing of live streamed services (website, Facebook, and YouTube) continues to grow with upwards of 180 unique views each week (as of Dec. 2020). People continue to be drawn together for worship, preaching, and encouragement during the pandemic, both in person and online.
Lakes Free Church uses an adult ministry and discipleship model that includes Adult Bible Fellowships (ABFs) and small groups. The ABFs typically meet weekly, on Sunday mornings, and are designed for Bible teaching, fellowship, service, care, and prayer, and as the primary means of assimilating people into the life of the church. ABFs range from 20 to 70 people. Small groups of three to 20 people typically meet weekly, at varying times and locations throughout the week. These groups provide opportunities for in-depth Bible study, spiritual growth, and friendship; their activity has been limited and/or modified by the pandemic.
The church also offers vibrant AWANA, BLAST, and youth programming to teach and disciple children and students as they grow. These ministries are prioritized by Lakes Free and have a significant and well-known outreach in the community. Each of these programs has been modified in numerous ways during the pandemic.
Outreach
In addition to local ministry, Lakes Free Church has consistently sent and/or supported missionaries around the world. From day one the church allotted at least 10 percent of its annual income to the work of individuals and families doing God’s work globally, on six continents. The church currently supports over 30 individuals, couples, or families working with a variety of mission organizations. The church regularly sends out short-term mission groups to meet diverse needs (e.g., hurricane relief, housing, medical projects, pastoral training, evangelism, etc.). While some of the short-term efforts have been hindered by the pandemic, others have found innovative ways to move forward.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s Lakes Free Church planted two sister Evangelical Free churches in the nearby communities of Wyoming, MN, and Osceola, WI. These two congregations continue to grow and reach beyond the Lakes Area.
Pastors & Staff
Lakes Free Church ministers to people of all ages, from babies to seniors. Church staffing reflects a commitment to serving the multigenerational body of Christ, and staffing decisions have been historically based on both current ministry needs and the future vision of the church. Eight pastors and/or directors currently lead the following ministries: children, student, adult, worship, and care. The church also employs another 13 staff members (full- and/or part-time) for technology, building administration, finance, communication, and office services. Additionally, laity-led, volunteer ministries serve people both within and outside the congregation (e.g., missions, Stephen Ministry, Grief Share, Sharing [clothing] Shop, Hope [adoption] Ministries, prison outreach, etc.).
Campus & Facilities
The people of Lakes Free are dedicated to intentional discipleship and outreach. The church’s desire is for its campus to be seen as a hub of life and activity for the community. To support that commitment, the church invests in facilities designed for multi-faceted ministry, which include the following: administrative offices; a recently updated foyer, café, and worship center with seating capacity for nearly 500; a fellowship hall and education center for children’s ministry (infant through grade 5) and adult discipleship groups and classes; and a youth center and gymnasium for student ministry and outreach (grades 6-12). The church facilities are debt free and the campus includes ample room for future expansion.