ELK RIVER
Our Elk River church is where Free Grace United originally started. Though it is currently our largest church, we still have that church family feel and are able to connect with each other and grow in faith during our weekend worship experiences and midweek Bible studies. In addition to being our oldest and largest location, it is also where we broadcast from every Sunday, exclusively to our YouTube. We offer a great gospel-focused kid’s church during every service, modern worship music, and grace-based Bible teaching. Come as you are! We are a casual place to explore God at your own pace.
Service Times:
Saturdays @ 5pm
Sundays @ 9:30am & 11am
Email: office@freegrace.tv
Phone: 763-633-9706
Click On The Map For Directions829 School St.Elk River, MN 55330
KARLI & DAVE PHELPS
Karli and Dave Phelps have two kiddos, Eliza and Jonah. Karli is the Family Ministries Pastor. Together they are the Elk River Family Pastors. They are passionate about seeing families connect and grow in faith with Jesus! Email: karli.phelps@freegrace.tv & dave.phelps@freegrace.tvElk River Family Pastors
BRADEN & ALANAH DYKSTRA
Braden and his wife Alanah have two kiddos (Oliver & Wesley). In addition to helping students meet Jesus, Pastor Braden is also the Teaching Pastor in Elk River and Director of Student Affairs at Free Grace Bible College. They both enjoy partnering with God as He transforms lives with His grace! Email: braden.dykstra@freegrace.tvElk River Teaching Pastor // Resource Manager
WEEKLY GATHERINGS AT FGU ELK RIVER:
Wednesdays – All Ages (starting Sep 18)
Main Lobby | 6-8 pm
Meal served for all at 6 pm; $5 suggested donation. Teaching begins at 6:30pm.
Adult Bible Study – the Book of Acts
FG Students (grades 6-12)
FG Kids Club (PreK - 5th)
Childcare provided for babies & toddlers
Thursdays – Free Grace Recovery
Upper Auditorium | 6:30-8 pm
Everyone struggles with something. Let us help you find freedom, people to walk alongside you, and a solution through Jesus and His grace at Free Grace Recovery.
➡️ CLICK HERE for more info
Saturdays – Let’s Taco ‘Bout Jesus (starting sep 21)
Student Lounge (upstairs) | after 5 pm service
For Grades 6-12. Hang out after church & eat tacos & talk about Jesus.
242 GROUPS
Groups that gather to enjoy a meal, study the Bible, pray together, and do life together. Based on Acts 2:42 - They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the [sharing of meals] and to prayer.
➡️ CLICK HERE to see our current list of ongoing groups.
FGU ELK RIVER CALENDAR
Wed, Sep 4 – Volunteer Rally
Main Lobby | 6:30-8 pm
All FGU Elk River volunteers invited. Join us for dinner, team building, training, and an encouraging message. Kids welcome!
FALL KICKOFF – REFRESH & Community Block Party
Sat, Sep 7 @ 5 pm | Sun, Sep 8 @ 9:30 & 11 am
Bring a friend to our fall ministry kickoff! Refresh your faith in an awesome weekend service, and stick around for free food and family fun at our annual Community Block Party. Bounce houses, free food, face painting, and more. Free gift for every kid PreK-6th grade that weekend!
➡️ CLICK HERE for more info
Mon, Sep 9 – Upper Room Prayer Gathering
Upper Auditorium | 6-8:30 pm
Join us on the second Monday of the month to seek God in prayer together. No childcare provided.
➡️ CLICK HERE for more info
Wed, Sep 11 – Worship Night
Main Auditorium | 6:30-8:30 pm
A night of worship and prayer. All welcome. Childcare provided.
➡️ CLICK HERE for more info
Sat, Sep 21 – Flourish: Women’s Brunch & Bible Study
Main Lobby | 9-11 am
For women 18+. Bring a breakfast dish to share! Childcare provided thru grade 3. Contact Pastor Karli for more info: (763) 340-1434.
➡️ CLICK HERE for more info and to RSVP
Sep 27-29 – Fall Men’s Retreat at Pine Lake Camps in Eldora, IA
Guys ages 14 & up: We want to inspire you to become the men of God you are called to be! This retreat includes manly food, tons of outdoor activities, great worship, purposeful & inspirational messages, and a time to unwind and grow your faith. Most importantly, you’ll learn to walk with Jesus in strength & honor and reach people for Christ.
➡️ CLICK HERE for more info
Sat, Oct 5 – The Forge: Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
Upper Auditorium | 8-10 am
For men 18+. Enjoy some bacon & Bible. Contact Pastor Silas to learn more: silas.austin@freegrace.tv.
➡️ CLICK HERE for more info
Oct 18-20 – Fall Student Retreat at Pine Lake Camps in Eldora, IA (Grades 9-12)
Pine Lake Camps' Fall Student Retreat is like if summer camp was a little bit cooler (temperature-wise), a little bit more laid back (schedule-wise), and equally as fun and impactful! Senior High students, come take a mid-semester break at PLC! You're in for a weekend of AWESOME food, powerful worship & teaching, exciting games, events & activities, and lots of chill-time to just hang out by the campfire with your besties. You might even see some of your favorite counselors from past summers! (All students will be under the supervision & leadership of cabin counselors, just like summer camp.)
➡️ CLICK HERE for more info
Nov 1-3 – Fall Women’s Retreat at Pine Lake Camps in Eldora, IA
Ladies... This fall, we are choosing not to "fall" for the idea that life must be BIG and LOUD and BUSY and PRODUCTIVE 24 / 7 / 365. When we invite you to our Fall Retreat, we are inviting you to truly... Retreat. To Rest. Breathe. Listen. Receive. Our retreat this year is a little later in the season, just before the holidays hit with their typical excitement and obligations. On November 1-3, 2024, we will open Pine Lake Camps to you and your girlfriends for a reprieve and re-set...and then a graceful returning to your place in this wild, beautiful world God has given us.
➡️ CLICK HERE for more info
Kids Church
Each of our churches are unique, which means that each church offers something a little different for kids during our weekend services. As our churches grow, we develop a church experience especially for them! (Read about Kids Church here.) Our mission at every church is to see your kids cross the line of faith and follow Jesus!Nursery | For kids ages 6 weeks – 2 years
Our nursery is available for our youngest kiddos to experience the love and security Jesus offers. Drop off your little one in our nursery during church services, where they’ll play, hear a Bible story, and get prayed over by trained, caring volunteers.Preschool | For kids ages 3 years – 5 years
When your kiddo is potty trained, can walk, and can communicate, he/she is ready for our preschool room! We use Bible-based curriculum that includes age-appropriate discipleship through teaching, games, and crafts.Elementary | For school-age kids (K-5th grade)
Our 5-11 year-olds are our most age group that is most receptive to the Good News. We take this opportunity seriously! We have a special focus on tangible aspects of discipleship – helping kids navigate their Bibles, pray in groups, use their gifts to serve others, build friendships, and share their faith – all while teaching the Gospel every week through a Bible-based curriculum. Our elementary kids are together for the majority of their church experience, but may break into grade-based small groups for discussions and activities.
Big Church
Kids of all ages are welcome to worship with their grown-ups in the adult services, if that’s what works best for your family! We provide a kid version of the sermon notes with activities to help little brains stay focused.If you choose to have your kids join you in “big church”, here are some suggestions of things that help kids stay engaged:• Have your child bring his/her own Bible, and help look up the Scripture in the sermon• Encourage them to sing or dance during worship songs• Coloring items• Small, non-electronic toys for little ones (cars, puzzles, books)• The Bible App for Kids and a pair of headphones• If your child gets wiggly or chatty, you’re welcome to step into the lobby or into the Family Seating room to give him/her a break