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Our History
The Evangelical Free Church of Merced began in August 1982 as a group of people who gathered in homes for Bible study and prayer. As the group began to grow the decision to become a church was confirmed so as to be used by God effectively in the Merced/Atwater area. The first Service of Worship as the Evangelical Free Church of Merced was held on November 7, 1982. |
Pastors
Bill Smith, who was a church planting missionary of the Western District of the Evangelical Free Church of America, was installed as the Senior Pastor in September 1983. Bill Smith left as our senior pastor in 1995 to become the District Superintendent for the Evangelical Free Church of America. Dave Gish become our Senior Pastor in 1996, and moved to another ministry in 2001. Steve Muncherian became our Senior Pastor in 2003 and remained until 2020. In July 2022 Mike Anderson became our current Senior Pastor.
Mission & Ministry
Our ministry grew to include Bible studies, AWANA, Junior and Senior High youth groups, adult groups, a Sunday School, choirs, nursery, and other ministry areas. These areas of ministry included Vacation Bible School at our church as well as part of city-wide effort in municipal parks. Church outreach to the community also included back to school bask as well as a trunk and treat. Missions ministry also included supporting short term missionary opportunities for congregational members, as well as Easter youth trips to Mexico and latter Adult Mexico Ministry trips. Since the early 1980’s the church has held Camp Creekside, a “family camp” church wide retreat each fall.
Bill Smith, who was a church planting missionary of the Western District of the Evangelical Free Church of America, was installed as the Senior Pastor in September 1983. Bill Smith left as our senior pastor in 1995 to become the District Superintendent for the Evangelical Free Church of America. Dave Gish become our Senior Pastor in 1996, and moved to another ministry in 2001. Steve Muncherian became our Senior Pastor in 2003 and remained until 2020. In July 2022 Mike Anderson became our current Senior Pastor.
Mission & Ministry
Our ministry grew to include Bible studies, AWANA, Junior and Senior High youth groups, adult groups, a Sunday School, choirs, nursery, and other ministry areas. These areas of ministry included Vacation Bible School at our church as well as part of city-wide effort in municipal parks. Church outreach to the community also included back to school bask as well as a trunk and treat. Missions ministry also included supporting short term missionary opportunities for congregational members, as well as Easter youth trips to Mexico and latter Adult Mexico Ministry trips. Since the early 1980’s the church has held Camp Creekside, a “family camp” church wide retreat each fall.
Learn more about our current staff here: