Peace Lutheran Church

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Church History

1965: Mrs. Lillian Tomlison, who had long desired a Lutheran Church in America congregation in Rogers, AR, placed an advertisement in the Rogers Daily News asking like-minded residents to contact her. Later that fall, with 25 in attendance, a worship service was held in her home. Pastor Sherman Frederick drove from Ft. Smith once a month thereafter to hold services. The Lord blessed this fledgling congregation. As membership increased worship was held in other homes, then the high school, the National Guard Armory, and the Holiday Inn. Pastor Stanley Rogge served the new church as well as a new church in Fayetteville.

1966: With a need for more space and a regular meeting place, the Board of American Missions acquired a small vacant concrete block church building (former Christmas Methodist Church) on 3.5 acres 805 W. Olrich Street in Rogers.

1967: The first worship service was held at the Olrich location in May.

1969: The congregation had grown to the point they were ready to build a sanctuary and with the help of the Board of American Missions ground was broken in March and the first service in the new building was in October.

1970: On August 23, Peace Lutheran Church was organized with 60 charter members. Pastor Carl H. Berhenke was called as its first fulltime pastor.

1974: Pastor Richard A. Solberg was called as the new pastor.

1978: The need for a third worship service in June, made it clear that additional space was needed by the congregation for worship. Plans began to make that possible.

1981: New sanctuary and office space dedicated.

1987: A 26-rank pipe organ was donated by the estate of Ann Webber and dedicated. A new outreach ministry of Stephen Ministry was initiated.

1988: The fellowship hall was enlarged and additional office, classroom, and music room space was added. The AR/OK Synod had its first gathering in the new space in June.

1989: Men of Peace was organized and began weekly gatherings for breakfast and Bible study. At the request of congregation members, Services of Healing were initiated.

1990: Peace celebrated its 20th anniversary. 1990 was declared the “Year of the Bible” and Bibles were installed in the pews.

1991: A new constitution was adopted. Peace youth group attended the National Youth Gathering in Dallas, TX.

1992: A new staff position for “Lay Ministry” was established. Two congregation members began the process for ordination. The Saturday 5:00 p.m. service was initiated.

1993: Joint Vacation Bible School was held with five other Rogers churches. Peace Youth attended the National Youth Gathering in Atlanta, GA.

1994: Peace Child Care Center opened.

1995: Peace celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Pastor Solberg resigned to accept another call. Pastor “Bud” Buchheim was called to serve as interim pastor.

1996: “Disciple” Bible study series initiated.

1997: Pastor Erik Boye called to Peace. A significant donation to Christ the King congregation in Bentonville was made from the Ann Webber memorial for mission churches. Peace Youth attended the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA.

1998: Peace Music School opened with lessons offered in organ, guitar, piano, voice and violin.

1999: A new staff position of “Youth and Family Minister” filled.

2000: Jane Mar called as Assistant to Sr. Pastor. Peace joined with AR/OK Synod in Via de Cristo ministry. Peace Youth attended the National Youth gathering in St. Louis, MO.

2001: Due to space constraints in our Olrich facility, a series of congregational meetings were held. As the result of these meetings, the congregation voted to purchase 18 acres on Perry Rd. in Rogers. Contemporary worship services were initiated. The Food Pantry ministry was expanded making assistance with groceries available to more families. Peace Cafe was initiated offering a mid-week meal to all Peace families.

2002: Jane Mar called as Associate Pastor. Peace Counseling services opened. Stephen Ministers began shut-in ministry, offering communion to members unable to attend worship services. “Experiencing God” Bible study class introduced. “Crossways” Bible study initiated.

2003: A Master Site Team was formed to begin planning for a facility to be built on land purchased in 2001. “Following the Promise” was established as a campaign to fund that building program. An endowment fund was established to offer another giving option for Peace members. Peace Youth attended the National Youth Gathering in Atlanta, GA.

2004: Associate Pastor Jan Mar resigned to accept another call. A part-time Visitation Pastor was hired.

2005: The original land purchased for expansion at Perry Rd. was sold and a 20-acre parcel at 3891 Bellview Rd. was purchased for construction of Family and Youth Ministry facility. The first “Alpha Course” was offered. Building on the Promise campaign implemented to fund the new Youth and Family facility.

2006 Established the staff positions of part-time Children’s Minister and full-time Youth and Family Minister. Ground was broken for the Bellview facility. Peace Youth attended National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, TX.

2007: The first worship service was held on the Bellview campus in February. Evangelism mission, the “Passionate Church” and Life Shapes was implemented.