Church in Hollandale changes format by streaming services from Twin Cities church, possibly sets new model for other rural churches
Apr. 23—By Ayanna Eckblad
HOLLANDALE — Family of Faith Community Church in Hollandale will host the launch of their new church name and worship service format on Sunday.
Formerly Hollandale Reformed Church, the church has a rich history in the community.
It was originally founded in 1922 with the permanent building established in 1927 followed by an addition in 1984. When it opened, it mostly consisted of Dutch immigrant farmers, explained church committee member Debbie Majeski.
The congregation continued to be from the farming community, often in multiple generations, for many years afterward.
However, about 20 years ago, the demographics of the church began to change.
Farms became larger while the number of farmers decreased, and children of farmers tended to leave the area after graduating high school, Majeski said.
Then in August, the church's pastor, Neal Ooms, was diagnosed with leukemia and was unable to preach for an extended time during initial treatment. He is also close to the age of retirement.
The church members found themselves at a crossroads, like many other rural churches.
"We need some life brought back into the church. We're just a typical rural church that struggles to bring people in and we felt to keep the doors open, a change was needed," said Mike Ravenhorst, another committee member.
At a meeting in late 2024, the congregation unanimously decided to implement changes rather than closing the church's doors.
The church then reached out to Eagle Brook Church in the Twin Cities and inquired about streaming their church services.
The church is very popular, Ravenhorst said. He added his two daughters drive up to the Twin Cities to attend services regularly.
"The Eagle Brook name has a great reputation and is very well known in Minnesota," Ravenhorst said. "We're really hoping that just the Eagle Brook name alone will help draw people to us because they are very, very popular right now."
Majeski said Eagle Brook has been great to work with, providing leadership training and resources free of charge.
Although Family of Faith Church is a Reformed church with teachings from Calvinism, and Eagle Brook has roots in the Baptist denomination, Majeski said the churches had similar pillars of beliefs, including Jesus Christ as the head of the church and the Bible as the infallible word of God.
Majeski also said Family of Faith Community Church is not becoming a Baptist church, and will continue to have the feel of a Reformed church.
Not only is this partnership a new experience for Family of Faith Community Church, but it is new for Eagle Brook Church as well.
Although they have about 15 locations that stream their services, Eagle Brook usually expands by starting a satellite location at a home or empty storefront and adds a physical building when resources are available.
This will be their first time having their services streamed by a church that is already established and over 100 years old.
Majeski said if this new format is successful, Eagle Brook may partner with other rural churches as part of their outreach as well.
Family of Faith Community Church decided that, including the change in name and worship services, they would also do a re-brand of their building.
Coming to church for the first time can already be intimidating, Majeski said, especially in a large, old building like theirs.
"We've made some dramatic changes to try and soften the impression when people first come in to make it more welcoming," she said.
With the help of other congregation members, the church redecorated its entry room where coffee fellowship will be held before services. They also updated the building's nursery and made a room dedicated to middle school and high school ministries. They are also nearly finished remodeling their new children's room.
All these changes, Majeski said, will hopefully make the church more laid back and welcoming.
"That's probably the hardest part for somebody who's never been to church before, is getting through the front doors for the first time," said Ravenhorst.
Family of Faith Community Church invites everyone from Hollandale and the surrounding communities to check them out Sunday, Majeski said.
She said it will be different from streaming Eagle Brook services from home because it will come with the fellowship and support of having a church family, Bible studies, prayer support and other things a person can only get from attending a church.
Additionally, as Ooms continues to heal and improve in health, he will continue to conduct weddings, funerals, home visits, hospital visits and other pastoral duties.
Family of Faith Community Church's kick-off event on Sunday will begin with coffee fellowship at 8:45 a.m. with the service beginning at 9 a.m.
Family of Faith Community Church is at 101 Park Ave E. in Hollandale. Those interested in learning more can visit the church's website, familyoffaithhollandalemn.org, email ffcchollandale@gmail.com or check out the church's Facebook or Instagram pages. Majeski said people are also welcome to stop by the building.
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