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God in His infinite wisdom, works throughout our lives to accomplish His purposes for us. He had been preparing this fellowship for the day He would ultimately bring it together. As near as we can figure the beginning of that occurred in 1987. The Pastor of the methodist Church in town was leading a Bible study for people in the church. Dan & Marsha Ronfeldt, Joan Steinhoff, Karen Ronfeldt, and Liz Rose were attending this Study. Through a series of events, this caused a group to begin studying God's Word for themselves.
In July of 1988, God used Jay Pritchard to challenge Mark Till to start a home Bible Study. Mark accepted the encouragement and started a Bible Study that fall that involved Dan & Marcia Ronfeldt, Liz & Earl Rose, Jim & Joan Steinhoff, and Greg & Dawn Claus. The study was entitled Growing in Christ. The group decided to continue a Bible Study so they proceeded to study the Book of John. It was through this study that Greg came to know Christ as his personal Savior.
In July of 1990, 3 of the families involved in the Bible Study decided to attend a Bible Conference at Glen Eyrie. This Conference was sponsored by the Navigators and was the first exposure anyone had to Louis Hill.
After returning from the conference it was found out that the Pastor at the Methodist Church was being transferred. The next few months involved a number of different speakers and challenges. It was rumored that the possibility existed for a lady to assume the Pastorate. This led a group of people to start studying the scripture and seeking God's wisdom regarding this situation. A number of people met at Dawn & Greg's house to discuss the options available. Some people decided to meet with the district superintendent to try to solve the problem. It was realized at that meeting that the situation would not change.
After much soul searching the decision was made by people that they could not in good conscience stay at the church. This was not a decision made as a group, but individually and through a careful study of God's Word.
Without a church home, a number of people found themselves looking for a place to worship the following Sunday. A small group would meet at the Till's on Sunday Morning for Sunday School. After Sunday School the people would go to various churches in the area and meet later to talk about what they learned. Lael & Wanetta were also involved in searching for a church home at this time. These people on their own and as a small group were now looking for a place of worship.
During this time Dennis Gallagher made a call to Lael and asked about the situation in the community. Dennis had been attending church in Sioux City since the Church in Holly Springs had closed on April 30, 1989.
Dennis went to visit Mark and doctrinal positions were discussed at length. A meeting later that night was arranged with other people involved. By this time most of the group was impressed with the services at Washington Heights Chapel in Sioux City. A real need had developed at this time for fellowship and encouragement as a group.
By this time God had impressed 2 issues upon this group. One was the importance God's Word being preached freely and without a mandate from an organization. The other was the importance of community and especially the need for fellowship. It was a consensus that something had to be done within the community. It was decided that an open meeting would be held in the Church in Holly Springs on the first Sunday night in November 1990. Many people from the community attended. It was an exciting and a very emotional evening. The night involved prayer, encouragement, and the evening was closed with Amazing Grace. Dale wanted to open the church immediately with services beginning as soon as possible.
There were a number of meetings in the 2 weeks that followed. A name was determined with the help of the children. The order of service was determined, along with music, etc. Washington Heights had promised to help in any need. Dan Speichinger was asked to speak since he had such a key part in the encouragement of the fellowship.
On November 18, 1990 God allowed a church to start in this community. Approximately 35 - 40 people were gathered in attendance. It was a tremendous joy to see God work in the services. Speakers came from all over and their messages were a challenge that fit in with the special music and lay speakers. It was clearly evident that this could be only by the hand of God.
A board was formed with the people involved in the church. It was composed of Mark Till, Greg Claus, Lael Steinhoff, Dan Ronfeldt, Dale Ronfeldt, Earl Rose, Dennis Gallagher, and Junior Gallagher. Junior was the oldest member of the board and was most excited to see the Church open again. The Lord called Junior home on September and even that was used to help this fellowship take another step forward.
In January of 1991, a young man by the name of Jim Penner spoke for the first time. In June of that year Jim spoke for the whole month. It was decided to take Jim on a temporary basis as a missionary to help him through school.
In November of 1991, the church held its first anniversary. Dale Ronfeldt read the following statement in that service.
In May of 1992, Wes Hansen had just left Billy Sunday Tabernacle as Pastor. He was asked to fill Pulpit for the month of May. It was during that month that a number of people came to know Christ as Savior. Pastor Wes helped solidify and clarify the doctrinal statement of the church. God used him in a amazing way in just a few short weeks. The board asked Wes to preach for another month, but he had made other plans. He recommended his former Youth Pastor, Jim Thomas. The board was concerned regarding his age, but Wes recommended him as a man "wise beyond his years."
Jim Thomas was contacted and preached for the first time on June 7, 1992. He was asked to preach again, but could not for the next 2 weeks due to other preaching engagements in South Dakota. Jim and his wife were canidating at a church in Canton, South Dakota. He and his wife met with the board in South Dakota, and were being considered to come on as a Youth Pastor and then take over the Pastorate when the Senior Pastor retired in the summer of 1993.
During the following weeks Jim started filling pulpit at this church. Pastor Jim had to make a decision regarding the church in South Dakota even though there was no commitment on the part of the board or Pastor Jim to the Holly Springs fellowship. He decided to turn down the Church in South Dakota.
In the summer of 1992, Jim was asked to stay on as a Pastor on a part time basis until the end of the year. He agreed and through a series of unusual circumstances, he and the board realized that this was the place where God wanted him. In November, a place to live was located and work went into getting it ready. In December of 1992, he quit his job with the insurance company and came as the Pastor of Holly Springs Bible Fellowship. In April of 1993, he became a part of the community and moved into the area. He presently serves as the a Pastor of the church.
This fellowship has been the result of the prayers of many saints over the years. What has been accomplished in this community has been a result of the hand of God. Credit cannot go to anyone other than our God, beacuase anything accomplished is only through Him. We are excited that God has allowed us to be a part of his wonderful plan.
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