City First Church
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| City First Church | |
|---|---|
 Worship in 2015 | |
 | |
| 42°17′55″N 89°00′02″W / 42.2986°N 89.0005°W | |
| Location | Rockford, IL |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Evangelicalism, Assemblies of God |
| Weekly attendance | 5,000 |
| Website | cityfirst |
| History | |
| Founded | 1929 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 3,650 |
| Clergy | |
| Senior pastor(s) | Jeremy DeWeerdt, since 2007 |
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City First Church (formerly Rockford First) is an Evangelical megachurch church located in Rockford, Illinois. The senior pastor is Jeremy DeWeerdt.
History
City First Church was originally a small Swedish assembly that began meeting in a storefront hall on 5th Avenue in Rockford in 1929.[1]
In 1934, the name "First Assembly" is adopted during the pastoral ministry of Pastor Carl O'Guin.[citation needed]
On September 12, 1971 a new location opened for First Assembly with a seating capacity of 1,200.[2] First Assembly of God, under Pastor Eugene Whitcomb, opened Christian Life Elementary School.
The Rev. Ernest Julie Moen, former senior pastor of First Assembly of God, Rockford, Ill. 1973 thru the early 1980`s. A wonderful man of God and spiritual leader for many, during his time here. Pastor Moen grew the church and the vision for WQFL and Christian Life Schools.
In 1986, the church begin the construction of a new building with a seating capacity of 3,650 persons.[3]
In 2007, Jeremy DeWeerdt become the senior pastor.[4]
In 2012, the church begin a new program, "Champions Club" to help children with special needs, like a disability.[5]
In 2014, the attendance is 4,000 persons.[6]
In December 2010, Rockford First was listed number 51 in the 100 largest Assemblies of God churches in the United States.[7]
In September 2012, Outreach Magazine named Rockford First the 7th fastest growing church in the nation, with a 60% increase in weekly attendance between February 2011 – 2012.[8]
In 2016, the attendance is 5,000 persons.[9]
On January 29, 2017, Rockford First officially changed its name to City First Church.[10]
Beliefs
City First Church is part of the Assemblies of God. The Assemblies of God claimed mission is four-fold; evangelize the lost, worship God, disciple believers, and show compassion.[11]
References
- ^ Eric A. Johnson, Rockford: 1920 and Beyond, Arcadia Publishing, USA, 2004, p. 91
- ^ C. Hal Nelson (1968). Sinnissippi Saga. Winnebago County Illinois Sesquicentennial Committee.
- ^ Chris Green, rrstar.com, Rockford First rebirth linked to Jeremy DeWeerdt, diversity, divinity, USA, February 24, 2014
- ^ "Jeremy DeWeerdt". cityfirst.church.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ LISA JONES TOWNSEL, charismamag.com, A Special Gift, USA, June 1, 2013
- ^ Chris Green, rrstar.com, Rockford First rebirth linked to Jeremy DeWeerdt, diversity, divinity, USA, February 24, 2014
- ^ "Top 100 AG Church's in the United States"
- ^ "The 2012 Outreach 100". OutreachMagazine.com.
- ^ Lifeway research, outreachmagazine.com, ROCKFORD FIRST: NO. 9 FASTEST-GROWING CHURCH, 2016, USA, September 16, 2016
- ^ "Rockford First Church changing its name". WIFR. Jan 25, 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
- ^ Assemblies of God