Our History

Crete Berean Church was established in 1996 when a small group of area
residents prayerfully purchased the old Feed Service Corporation office building with the hopes of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and worshiping Him together. Like the people of Berea, we continue to seek truth from the Word of God and eagerly examine the scriptures. We embrace a spirit of grace and desire to live out the fruit of the spirit in our personal lives and through our church family.

We believe church is more than an event; it is a family. Since our humble
beginnings, our church has grown into one big family, and we are constantly welcoming new people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Our church family includes singles, couples, children of all ages, college students, empty nesters, and retirees. And we love that about our church family!

There is always room around our family table, and we hope you’ll join us!

Historical Timeline

1992 – An in-Home Growth Group led by Lincoln Berean elder, Lyle Hayes, started with
a few couples from Crete who attended Lincoln Berean.

October 1995 – Crete Berean Church became a mission church of the Berean
Fellowship.

November 1995 – Curt Lehman, retired Sr. Pastor of Lincoln Berean Church, was
asked to become the founding pastor of Crete Berean Church.

December 1995 – Crete Berean Church purchased the Feed Service Corporation
building and 11 acres of land located 3 miles east of Crete on Highway 33.

February 4, 1996 – First official Sunday Service of Crete Berean Church welcomed 197
attendees.

April 17, 1996 – Dedication Service for Crete Berean Church with guest speaker Dr.
Warren Wiersbe.

1996 – Youth Pastor Buzz Vance joined the Crete Berean Church ministry team and
served until 1999.

1997 – Oasis High School and Middle School Youth Group started at Crete Berean
Church.

1998 – Pastor Kevin Workman became the second Senior Pastor at Crete Berean
Church and served until 2003.

1999 – Youth Pastor Josh Luse joined the Crete Berean ministry team and served until

2001.

2003 – Pastor Gregg Madsen became the third Senior Pastor at Crete Berean Church
and served until 2010.

2004 – Associate Pastor Kirk Kingston joined the Crete Berean ministry team and
served until 2011.

2004 – Renovations to the church’s main floor expanded the sanctuary to create one
large level seating area. Bathrooms were relocated along with a new nursery and
welcome center.

2010 – Pastor David Meinke served as Interim Pastor until 2011.

2011 – Pastor Dan Williams became the fourth Senior Pastor at Crete Berean Church
and served until his retirement in 2025.

2012 – Associate Pastor Kyle Bond joined the Crete Berean Church ministry team until
his retirement in 2020.

2012 – First Crete Berean Church Awana classes held at the Armory in Crete.

2015 – First Middle school TREK classes held at Crete Berean Church.

2016 – Facility improvements included lighting and paving of the Crete Berean Church
parking lot.

2020 – Associate Pastor Travis Frederick joined the Crete Berean ministry team where
he continues to serve today.

2020 – First Outdoor and Drive-in Church Services held amid the Covid-19 Pandemic.

2025 – Former director of the Berean Fellowship, Scott Mathias, served as Interim
Pastor of Crete Berean Church from May to August.

2025 – Pastor Nat Crawford began serving as Interim Pastor of Crete Berean Church
and continues to serve in this role today.

2026 – The Crete Berean Family Life Center addition was officially opened.