Four Decades of Mobilizing Laymen

In 1968, a group of EFCA ministry leaders had a vision to launch a new ministry for laymen. The Women’s Missionary Society and Free Church Youth Fellowship were a source of inspiration that encouraged these leaders to come alongside men in the church. 

Walter Govertson, J. Gordon Swanson, Herb Nordin, Lowell Carlson and many others helped move the vision forward, and the Free Church Laymen’s Fellowship (FCLF) was established. On February 27, 1968, an organizational meeting established the original goals: Support EFCA educational institutions and personal evangelism, Shareholder projects and development of ministry leadership, and establish good communication between pastoral leadership and ministry leadership. Dues were started and members received a lapel button. 

One of the biggest results of FCLF was the support of new church plants and tentmakers who were planting those churches through a church seeding program. Over 200 men and churches were given first-year stipends to help get their churches started. Many of the pastors and churches are still thriving today. 

Another initiative was the five-minute weekday radio program “Slice of Life,” which aired on dozens of radio stations across the country. Bob Murfin, Free Church pastor and long-time morning broadcaster on WMBI in Chicago, interviewed ministry leaders, challenging men to be involved in their local church ministry. Many stations aired the broadcasts in the morning to reach men driving to work. Ministry leaders were also encouraged to help their churches develop their own historical archives and celebrate church history through stories and displays.  

Over the years, the ministry's name changed until the emphasis gradually shifted from national ministries to districts and local churches. God blessed this ministry for almost four decades to advance church planting and strengthening leaders in the Free Church.