Deep roots.
Friedens Church has a long and storied history. The first services were held in German in 1854, only six years after Wisconsin was granted statehood, and seven years before Abraham Lincoln was elected President. Over the years, Friedens has experienced seasons of growth and trial (including a fire that destroyed the sanctuary in 2002). As we look back on our history, we are most proud of the numerous times when the people of Friedens were at a crossroads and chose to remain faithful to Scripture and the Gospel message.
Authentic relationships.
Over 160 years later, Friedens is a vibrant and flourishing community. We passionately pursue warm, authentic relationships with God, one another, and the surrounding world. We value treating others with grace and humility, which creates a church family that is diverse in terms of age and spiritual background, yet is remarkably united and full of peace. Our ministry is highly relational, because we believe the Gospel flows best over the bridge of relationships.
Friedens' Mission:
Making disciples of Jesus through UP-IN-OUT relationships
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We strive to fulfill Jesus' call in Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
At Friedens, we recognize that there are three key types of relationships that need our attention and investment as we become more like Jesus. We desire authentic, growing relationships with God, each other, and the world.
With Christ as the center and catalyst, the UP-IN-OUT Triangle is a tool that can help us visualize those relationships and make sure our Christian walk is balanced well. We want to grow in our relationship with God (UP), in our relationships with other Christians (IN), and in our relationship with the surrounding world--those who don’t know Jesus (OUT). At Friedens, we work to equip and inspire people to intentionally invest in each of these areas of life.
Friedens is Gospel-Centered
The Gospel is the good news that, through Jesus, God has made a way for us to be fully redeemed. Although we are more sinful and broken than we can imagine, God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place. By trusting in Jesus alone to reconcile us with God, we can be redeemed and renewed to Christlikeness, with the joyful confidence of eternal life with God. This good news shapes and empowers Friedens' entire ministry.
Making a Difference in the World
We recognize that everything we have is a gift from God. Therefore, we seek to bless the people of our community (and beyond) through Christ-centered love. We do this in a variety of ways, including local outreach in the Port Washington community, and active support of missionaries throughout the world. Most importantly, we focus on mobilizing the Friedens family to serve as "backyard missionaries" who embody the love of Jesus in their everyday lives.