Get to Know EGC

We Believe…

The Bible is the only inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. John 16:13 | 2 Timothy 3:15–17 | 2 Peter 1:21 | 1 Thessalonians 2:13

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4 | Isaiah 43:10–11 | Matthew 28:18 | Luke 3:22 | John 14:16

In the deity and humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:1 | John 1:14 | John 20:28–29 | Philippians 2:6–11 | Isaiah 9:6 | Colossians 2:9

In his virgin birth.

Matthew 1:18 | Luke 1:34–35 | Isaiah 7:14

In his sinless life. 2 Corinthians 5:21 | Hebrews 4:15 | Hebrews 7:26–27 | 1 John 3:5 | 1 Peter 2:22

In his miracles. Matthew 4:23 | Luke 6:17–19 | John 3:2

In his vicarious and atoning death through his shed blood. Colossians 1:14 | Colossians 1:20 | Romans 5:8–9 | Ephesians 1:7

In his bodily resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 | Luke 24:4–7 | Luke 24:36–48 | Revelation 1:17–18

In his ascension to the right hand of the Father. Acts 2:33 | Acts 5:30–31 | 1 Peter 3:22

In his personal return in power and in glory. Acts 1:11 | Philippians 2:9–11 | 1 Thessalonians 1:10 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 | John 14:1–3

That justification by faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are absolutely essential for the salvation of lost and sinful man. Romans 3:24–25 | John 3:3–7 | 1 John 5:11–13 | Ephesians 2:1–16 | Revelation 5:9 | Acts 4:12 | 1 Corinthians 6:11

That the prime agency for the work of God’s kingdom is the Christian local church functioning under the sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ to fulfill the Great Commission of preaching the Gospel to make and baptize disciples of all nations. The church has been entrusted with the ordinances of Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Acts 1:6–8 | Acts 2:41–47 | Acts 16:4–5 | Matthew 16:18 | Matthew 28:18–20 | Mark 16:15–16 | Luke 24:44–49 | John 20:21 | Ephesians 1:22–23 | 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 | 1 Corinthians 12:1–31

In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit which includes: the baptism in the Holy Spirit as an experience distinct from regeneration; his indwelling, by which the Christian is enabled to live a godly life; his supernatural gifting and empowering of the church for its work, life, and worship. Luke 24:49 |Acts 1:4–8 | Acts 2:1–4 | Acts 10:44–46 | 1 Corinthians 12:1–31 | 1 Corinthians 14:1–40

In a lifestyle and practice of ethical conduct and integrity consistent with the character of Jesus Christ and biblical standards.

Romans 12:1–2 | 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 | Galatians 5:19–21 | Ephesians 4:13–32 | 1 Timothy 3:1–13 | Titus 1:5–11; Titus 2:11–13; Titus 3:9–11 | 1 Peter 1:13–16

In the return of Jesus Christ, to consummate his kingdom, in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those who are saved unto the resurrection of life, and those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28–29 | Mark 14:62 | 2 Thessalonians 1:2–10 | Revelation 1:5–7 | Revelation 20:4–5 | Revelation 20:11–12

In the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. John 17:11 | John 17: 21–23 | Romans 12:4–5 | Ephesians 4:11–16

Ely Gospel Tabernacle is now commonly referred to as Ely Gospel Church.  It has a doctrinal history with The Fellowship of Christian Assemblies and pentecostal roots, yet it was founded foremost and more basically as a "missionary & evangelistic church." The church planters, by virtue of founding documents, wanted to cast a wide net on essentially one vital, cardinal truth. That truth goes by many names but is essentially a drawing into personal, living, saving relationship with Jesus by grace (God's gift, not human effort or earning) through faith (believing, trusting) in Christ for salvation and eternal life. This language needs discussion as to any particular person, but serves to help begin a process toward membership. EGC's formal membership requirements are as follows:

• Satisfactory evidence of conversion to Christ

• Baptism by immersion in water (unless physically impossible)

• Being reasonably attendant at its services

• Contributing to its financial support as able, and holding no other church membership (exceptions made for seasonal folks). 

Although membership is not necessary for participation and service in most areas of church life, we whole-heartedly invite you to express this deeper commitment. Membership is required to vote and hold office. If you desire to become a member, please start the process by approaching Tim Cook, pastor, Burnie Stahl, pastor, or Zach Blomberg, elder/board president. Members are usually added at the annual business meeting but could be voted on at the end of most services with a bit of lead time.

From its inception on July 3, 1952, Ely Gospel Church has served as a "Missionary and Evangelistic church" to the northland. Originally named Ely Gospel Tabernacle, the church was planted by lay minister Gust Hallberg of Duluth and a handful of local faithful.

In 1954, Bible College students Pastor Morris & Naomi Janssen took up "the work" and the church set down roots and began to grow. Naomi was the hostess of a perpetually-open home and Pastor Janssen had a particular gift in personal evangelism, while both drove school buses to support the ministry. After faithfully sowing and watering, God gave the increase; 44 years of full-time ministry yielded a solid church in the Pentecostal tradition. The Janssens served the Lord at the church until their retirement in April 1998.

At that time, Pastor Mitchell Dennis and his wife, Ione, were called to further the work. While serving only a couple of short years, they nevertheless left an indelible mark. Missions were expanded to account for 20-30% of the annual church budget, a major renovation brought a stand-alone ministry space (now called “The Commons” and used on a daily basis), and deep relationships that were built then have lasted many years. In August 2000, Pastor Dennis moved his family back to his native Long Island to care for his mother, and his intern, Tim Cook, was licensed to serve in his stead. 

Pastor Tim Cook began his professional life in natural history education, including ten years as Executive Director of River Bend Nature Center in Faribault, MN, and five years as assistant director of the International Wolf Center. Today, he continues to pastor Ely Gospel Church alongside his talented wife, Deanne, and their five children. 

The name change from Tabernacle to Church symbolizes the tenor of Cook's nearly 25+ year pastorate. Though still rooted and ground in its Pentecostal heritage, the church today serves a wider swathe within the Evangelical stream of Christianity, without compromising its firm commitment to the local proclamation of the Gospel and generous support of world-wide missions.