Our History
Some of the long-standing members of this congregation have been associated with the current site since the original building was constructed in 1949. There have been several fellowships in the building through the years since. From 1985 or so, a group of believers met in various places in the Fall River Valley and finally met again here at Hwy 299 & Grove St. In 1995 this fellowship of 35 voted to associate with the Evangelical Free Church of America, and shortly after called their first pastor to Intermountain Free Church (IM Free).
As the congregation of IM Free Church filled up the original facilities they decided to engage a building project. The resulting multi-use building has been the site of many different kinds of Church and community events. During the building process IM Free began to find groups of believers from Burney, Cassel and Big Valley joining the congregation and making it a truly regional outreach in the Intermountain area.
IM Free Church is within the Western District of the EFCA serving congregations in northern California and Nevada.
This fast-paced overview video provides viewers with a good sense of ministry in this movement known as "the EFCA."
What we Believe
Our doctrinal statement is that held by the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA).
(Click Here to follow a link to the EFCA statement of faith)
The idea behind the statement is to state those handful of essential core beliefs that the Bible teaches. The remaining important issues are studied hard, discussed, and general positions agreed to but not set as essentials. The Church Fathers recognized this distinction, "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, charity. In all things, Jesus Christ." – Chrysostom. The doctrinal statement and the EFCA distinctives are detailed at the denomination website efca.org.
Basically, to be Evangelical is to be people of the Bible and its message, the Gospel.
To be Free is to be an autonomous congregation without control by government or denomination. Our association with the EFCA is a voluntary agreement and the church is congregational in structure. That is, we have hired staff, elected officials but everything is ultimately decided by the congregation.
A reading of the EFCA Statement of Faith.
Church Staff & Leadership
Lead Pastor-Teacher: Keith Marbeiter
Church Business Manager: Dana Looper - dana@imfreechurch.com
Elders
Jeff Looper
Wil Keepers
Terry Peters
Deacons
Steve Prigmore
Allen Johnson
Laurel Cordova
Eddie Erickson
Elder Chairman: Jeff Looper
Deacon Chair: Steve Prigmore