Emmanuel Free Church (“EFC”) began in December of 1986 when a group of believers started meeting at Ferrysburg School. The following year the group called Greg Howard as pastor, incorporated and purchased 7 acres at 17737 West Spring Lake Road. After joining the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) they became the newly formed “Tri-Cities Evangelical Free Church”. Over the next few years excitement filled the young congregation as a building project ensued until in September of 1989 the finished building was formally dedicated to the Lord.
Changes came in 1990 as Pastor Howard resigned and the church withdrew from the EFCA. But in 1991 Pastor Duane Adams was called and led the congregation for the next 5 years. Subsequent to Pastor Adams’ resignation, 1998 saw the church re-joining the EFCA and changing its name to “Emmanuel Free Church”. With a new name the people of EFC called Pastor Jim Calkins to pastoral leadership in 1999. In 2007 a purchase was made of the adjacent 3 acres with a spacious building which became the “EFC Family Center”. In February of 2009, after almost 10 years of shepherding the flock at EFC, Pastor Jim Calkins resigned.
Later in December of the same year, the church called Justin Smith to become the new pastor. Recently, Ray Paget was called to become another pastor. EFC continues striving to faithfully teach the word of God and build up the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.