Elmbrook Church

Infobox church
name = Elmbrook Church
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caption = Elmbrook Logo and Worship Center
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denomination = Non-Denominational, Evangelical Christian
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founded_date = 1958
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seniorpastor = Dr. Mel Lawrenz
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address = 777 South Barker Road, Brookfield, WI 53045
country = United States
phone = 262.786.7051
website = [http://www.elmbrook.org/ elmbrook.org]

Elmbrook Church (or simply Elmbrook) is a non-denominational, Evangelical Christian megachurch located in the Milwaukee suburb of Brookfield, Wisconsin. Since its founding in 1958, it has become one of the largest and most influential churches in the United States. Total weekly church attendance averages nearly 10,000, making it the largest church in Wisconsin and one of the 50-largest churches in the country. Elmbrook is a member of the Willow Creek Association.

History

The church was founded in 1958 as the First Baptist Church of Brookfield, when 30 Christians met at Leland Elementary School in Elm Grove. The next year, Elmbrook called its first salaried pastor, Ted Anderson. In 1963, Pastor Bob Hobson was called to lead the church and the name was changed to Elmbrook Baptist Church. The following year, the church moved into its first building on Calhoun Road, in Brookfield. In 1966 the church built a 450-seat sanctuary and attendance increased from 300 to 700 by 1970. In 1968, the pastoral staff grew to two persons, a second morning service and evening service were added, and the church dropped the Baptist affiliation and officially became Elmbrook Church.

In 1970, Stuart Briscoe was called by the church leadership upon the resignation of Bob Hobson. Briscoe had been serving with Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers, in Carnforth, England and had originally come to Elmbrook to preach at a series of meetings. In 1972, rapid growth led to Elmbrook using the Ruby Isle Theater for its second service. In 1973, Elmbrook purchased 39 acres for $100,000 at 777 South Barker Road, in Brookfield, and began contruction on a new facility. In 1975, the first service was held in a new 1,380-seat sanctuary, the pastoral staff grew to six, and a second Sunday morning service was added with a Saturday evening service beginning in 1977. A third Sunday service was added in 1979.

. Several construction projects were completed in 1996: the 3rd floor education addition, Amphitheater and remodelled Chapel (the old sanctuary), Resource Library, "Garden of Readin’" bookstore, Fellowship Hall and Kitchen, with 7,000 adults attending each week, 20 pastors on staff, and 3,600 members.

In 1998, Elmbrook celebrated its 40th Anniversary. The next year, a live, 10:45 am Sunday morning radio broadcast of worship services was added. In 2000, the church Plaza was completed, Dr. Stuart Briscoe retired as Senior Pastor, and his protege, Dr. Mel Lawrenz, was installed as his successor. Stuart and Jill Briscoe were commissioned to be international Ministers-at-Large. In 2004, the International Center was established, a third Sunday service was added, and an 8:00 am live Sunday radio broadcast was added.

In addition, the church has planted nine churches in the Milwaukee area: Eastbrook Church (1979), Hmong Alliance Church (1982), Lao Christian Church (1982), Westbrook Church (1983), Northbrook Church (1985), Meadowbrook Church (1989), Southbrook Church (1997), Centrobrook Church (1998), and Metrobrook Church (2005). Elmbrook also has global church partnerships with: Glennabey Church (Northern Ireland), Iglesia de LaPuerta Abierta (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Nairobi Chapel (Nairobi, Kenya), Covenant Evangelical Free Church (Singapore) and Jerusalem Alliance Church (Jerusalem, Israel).

Currently, Elmbrook has 23 pastors on staff, more than 100 employees, and supports over 100 missionaries all over the world, while averaging nearly 10,000 people in attendance per week. The church is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2008. [www.elmbrook.org]

Dr. Stuart Briscoe

Former pastor Dr. Stuart Briscoe was called as Senior Pastor of Elmbrook in 1970 after a banking career in England and an international preaching ministry under the auspices of the "Torchbearers". During his pastorate Elmbrook grew tremendously and planted a number of churches in the local area while Briscoe continued his international teaching ministry. He has written more than 40 books and the media ministry, "Telling the Truth", which he founded in 1971, continues to reach out daily around the world.

In 2000, after serving for 30 years as Elmbrook's Senior Pastor, Stuart and his wife Jill embarked on new ministries as Elmbrook's Ministers-at-Large, concentrating on reaching out to pastors, missionaries and church leaders all over the world, while maintaining close ties with Elmbrook, their home church. Dr. Briscoe is credited with transforming Elmbrook from a church of a few hundred people to one of nearly 10,000.

Dr. Mel Lawrenz

Stuart Briscoe's protege, Dr. Mel Lawrenz, is the current Senior Pastor of Elmbrook. He and his wife, Ingrid, began serving at the church in 1980. Having grown up in Door County and Green Bay, Wisconsin, Mel became senior pastor of Elmbrook in 2000 after serving under Stuart Briscoe's leadership for twenty years.

He received his B.A. in English from Carroll College, his M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his Ph.D. in historical theology from Marquette University. He is the author of eight books.

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.elmbrook.org/ www.elmbrook.org] - Official web site
* [http://www.willowcreek.com/ www.willowcreek.com] - Willow Creek Association