At Bow Island Evangelical Free Church, we are a family of believers called to Know, Live, and Share Christ.
Whether you're new to church or have been attending for years, our doors are open to you. We gather each Sunday to worship, learn, and disciple one another, creating a space where everyone can experience God's presence, grace, and transformative power.
Beyond our Sunday services, we connect through fellowship events, small groups, and ministries for all ages. These gatherings help us grow in faith, build meaningful relationships, and support one another in our daily lives.
We invite you to join us: to worship, to connect, and to discover the joy of walking with Jesus in community.
Our Purpose
- To joyfully glorify God through worship and praise of our Lord
- To learn and teach His truth
- To provide an opportunity for believers to fellowship together
- To promote the development of true followers of Christ
- To share the good news of God’s love and forgiveness, here in our own community and throughout the world
Worship Style
Sunday morning services follow a blended worship style, using both traditional and contemporary music. Several music/worship leaders share the responsibility of leading the services and are assisted each week by a team of back-up singers, keyboard musicians, bass and acoustic guitars, drums, and occasionally other instruments as well.
The music is then followed by a Bible-based message by one of the pastors or a visiting speaker.
Our History
Pastors of the Bow Island Evangelical Free Church
Tony and Esther Hansen arrived in Bow Island in October 1945. Their first home here was an unused granary!
- Pastor Tony & Esther Hansen – October 1945 to July 1963
- Pastor Ingmar & Vivian Jacobson – February 1964 to June 1971
- Pastor & Mrs. Heinrichs – October 1971 to December 1975
- Pastor Dan & June Nicholson – January 1976 to December 1985
- Pastor John & Lynn Nicholson – March 1986 to July 1994
- Dave & Michelle Ernst – January 1995 to 1997
- Pastor Mike & Norma De Ridder – June 1998 to August 2009
- Pastor Roger & Cheryl Lobb – August 2009 to January 2016
- Pastor George & Tara Mills – December 2016 to Present
Founding
It was in 1945 when a young couple, Tony and Esther Hansen, moved to Bow Island and began holding a Sunday school class in their home. Over the next several years the class grew and split into several classes. When the group got too large for their little home, the old Borden schoolhouse was moved into Bow Island and converted into a church.
In 1958 a new church was built to accommodate twelve Sunday school classes and what had become a growing congregation. Expansions and additions over the years have resulted in the present building, which includes the auditorium, library, kitchen, fellowship hall, gymnasium and numerous Sunday School classrooms. The church is wheelchair accessible.
From a small beginning, the church has grown steadily. Today, a thriving congregation enjoys opportunities for fellowship, worship and spiritual growth provided by the church, which also seeks to help meet spiritual needs of the community at large.
Denominational Affiliation: The Bow Island Church is part of a worldwide Free Church movement, which had its roots in Europe. State churches were the norm, but when some church movements chose to break from the state church, they began calling themselves free churches. Here and now the “free” indicates the type of church government–each church is autonomous and self-governing, although there are ties of association to the national Evangelical Free organization.
