ABOUT US
At Fresh Encounter Church, our mission is to explore the Word and solidify our faith. To find, follow, and face the absolute truth. Encountering Christ in a real and relevant way to help those who choose to follow Christ find their calling, connect to others, to reach people far from God and restore them to a place of freedom in Christ so that they can make a difference in our community and around the world.
Core Values
ENCOUNTER
We are not a social club or a self-help group. However, we are a group that has an intense focus on the Word of God. We believe that far too many people have never truly encountered the God of the Bible, but some form of God that was invented by themselves or someone else. It is our hope that everyone would come to know the real God because that is an encounter that will forever change them. You see, we don't change anyone, God does. We simply provide the space and allow that possibility to become a reality.
EXPLORE
Once we catch a glimpse of who God truly is, we begin to explore who we are in Him. While exploring, we can sometimes wander down the wrong path and need loving people to help guide us back. Mistakes are inevitable, but we must never be allowed to dwell on them. Instead, let's help each other up, dust ourselves off, keep moving forward, and together we'll help each other find our identity in Christ and our purpose. Accountability is also vital because when we start to go down the wrong path, we need people in our lives to make us aware of those choices that could lead to other mistakes.
CONNECT
Since we are made in the image of God, we need relationships. We believe it is not just necessary, but it is vital to connect with others because together we are stronger. From the very beginning, God said it's not good for us to be alone. The first and only time Jesus felt alone was on the cross when he took on our sin because sin always separates us from God. So, He used His power and creative mind to ensure we are not alone. More important than our connections with others, is the connection to God. We believe that we must dedicate our lives to returning to the heart of God. The connection we left when we decided to follow our own desires, and that separation always brings us to a place of sorrow. It's only because of what Christ did on the cross, that connection can be restored.
RESTORE
From the moment of conception, when we were conceived, God made each of us unique. We are able to do things in a way that no one else can. God designed us for a specific purpose and gave us gifts and talents to fulfill that purpose. But, because sin separates us from God and the damage that it does to us, we lose sight of that. We become strangers to God and often use our talents and gifts for our own personal gain. Through a renewed and restored relationship with God, He can, and will, lovingly make us a new creation. Although, like any restoration, it requires repairing the damage that has been done, which is not always an easy process. However, the end result is a product of God's original design, allowing us to fulfill the purpose we were made for, our true calling!
Meet the Crew
Chris Danielson
Senior Pastor
Favorite quote, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliott
Luke Ferguson
Youth Leader
Favorite bible verse:
Mark 12:30-31
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Heidi Hammer
Volunteer Coordinator and Children's Director
Favorite quote, "I promise you, Kaladin: You will be warm again." from Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson
Kris Sterler
Director of AWANA
Favorite Quote-
No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.
Brad Reischl
Larry Hopp
Steven Boggess
Ross Thygesen
Kevin Petersen
Elder
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." - Colossians 3:23
Jeremiah Bieker
Elder
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” - Philippians 3:8
Brett Shields
Elder
'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.' 3 John 1:4
OUR BELIEFS
Fresh Encounter Life Verse:
There is one Body and one Spirit, just as also
you were called in One Hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
-Ephesians 4:4-6
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in one God who exists eternally as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father is awesome in beauty, power, wisdom, and goodness, who reigns over all creation and orchestrates all of time and eternity according to his will.
JESUS THE SON
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, fully divine and fully human, sinless, who through his death and resurrection offered salvation to all people, and redemption to all of creation. He will return to reign and judge all the earth in perfect unity with the Father and the Spirit.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in one Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, divine and holy, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who indwells and empowers followers of Jesus Christ, guiding them into the truth and convicting the world of sin.
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is uniquely inspired by God making it the authoritative truth on all matters.
THE BODY
We believe in one body, which is the Church, with Christ as the head, consisting of all followers of Jesus Christ, uniquely gifted as members of the body united together in the processes of worshiping God, becoming Christ-like, and making disciples.
FAITH
We believe in one faith in Jesus Christ alone, in which we accept him as Savior, thereby, we receive his forgiveness from our sins and we are made right before God.
HOPE
We believe in one hope in which we are called to share in the resurrection of the dead, into the eternal glory of God and his children.
BAPTISM
We believe in one baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in which a believer demonstrates his obedience and allegiance to Jesus Christ and is united with Him and with the body
Commonly Asked Questions
Are you affiliated with any denomination?
Fresh Encounter Church is a non-denominational church. This means that we are a fully independent church with no affiliations or ties to any particular organization or denomination.
What about baptism?
The act of being baptized does not save you, for we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. A baptism is simply an outward act of an inward change. We believe in full immersion water baptism and hold baptism services as often as needed. Even if you were baptized as a child, you can choose to be baptized as an adult. We believe that it is a personal choice and a defining moment in your walk with Christ that declares publically what He has done and continues to do in your life.
