About us

In 1992 Neil Block, the Missions and Church Extension Director for the Manitoba Mennonite Brethren Church became burdened for an evangelical church in La Salle.  He approached several people in the community about the idea and they began by meeting for Bible Study and to pray, plan and dream about what a church in La Salle could look like.  In January of 1994 Dennis and Sandra Gerbrandt hosted a marriage video series once a month which brought out 15 - 25 people.

Ray and Chris Klassen were selected as part time pastoral couple in 1995.  The first worship service was on April 23, 1995 and was attended by five families at Jake and Pat Enns home.  A commitment to be people of God in La Salle had begun.  Ray quickly became known in the community for his towering presence and his booming laugh.  His easy-going manner and the way he presented the gospel and Christ in a down to earth manner drew people to him and to the church and was an encouragement to everyone.  Ray led the church from a small group of 20 to 50 - 60 people who met in the school gym in three years.  When the church started looking for a full time pastor, Ray and Chris felt it was time for someone else to take the lead.

In October 1998, LSCF took a step in faith and hired the first full-time pastoral couple, Darren and Val Willems.  Darren and Val moved to La Salle which gave the church visibility and credibility. When the VBS program was started in the summer of 1999, Darren's and Val's involvement once again helped LSCF reach out to the community.  Through Darren and Val's gifts of preaching, teaching and music and their willingness to use these gifts, the church grew to 100 people.  Due to health reasons, Darren took a leave of absence and in the spring of 2004 he resigned as our pastor.  Through this difficult process, Darren and Val have continued in their ministry of music and in March 2011, Darren was hired back on as a part time Worship Pastor.

This left us looking for a pastor once again.  And once again, Ray Klassen was asked to consider returning as a full time pastor.  He agreed and immediately Ray and Chris began looking for a house in La Salle.  Ray and Chris have been used by God in our community in countless ways.  They began their ministry in La Salle for the second time in the beginning of 2005.  In 2009, we held our last service in the school gym and moved to our own facility where we currently worship.