HISTORY OF FAITH EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

In March of 1979, four couples met to plan and pray for an Evangelical Free Church to be planted on the West Mesa. The first Sunday service was held on July 8 th and nearly 50 people were in attendance. A constitution was developed and the church, then called Northwest Evangelical Free Church, was accepted into the Southwest Border District of the Evangelical Free Church of America in February, 1980. In late 1980 the church name was changed to Faith Evangelical Free Church.

There were a number of challenges in the early life of the church, among them finding a meeting place. The church has met in homes of members, Cibola High Scholl, Italian-American Center, Senior Citizens Center, Sierra Vista School in Paradise Hill and from February 1982 until September 1987 in the Puesta del Sol Elementary School in Rio Rancho. One of the moves to a new location was due to a fire. There were setbacks, but whenever it was easy to become discouraged, God sent some form of encouragement and strength.

In 1985, seven acres were purchased in Rio Rancho and in December 1986, construction began on the church building. The first service was held in the new building September 13, 1987.

Those who have served as interim pastors of Faith Evangelical Free Church have been Rev. Eric Fife, Rev. Franklin Horst and Glen Riddle (currently one of our missionaries). Rev. Sam Sawyer started his ministry March 8, 1981. Pastor Tom Lambelet started his ministry here in September 1990.

Our church logo has seen some changes over time. The first one was a circle with the sun in the background, a church and a road leading up to it. “Building Faith on the Hill” has been our catch phrase since that logo.

Second logo:

Current logo: