TheGathering78

09/04/2026

You might want to grab a Cup of Coffee and OPEN your PLANNER for this one. We've got alot of announcements, and we don't want you to miss out on anything going on in the next 2 weeks.

It is Fall and its time for FALL KICKOFF. Here is the first step - Please click here real quick and give us a consent to text you. I hate spam, so I promise not to do that, but it is the quickest and easiest way to keep you informed, but we want to ask and not just do it, so please do that now, then come back here for the rest:
https://miefree.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1036394

Ok, Great! Thanks. We appreciate you doing that. Here is the 2nd thing. Put this date in your calendar OCT 23, 24, 25. Those are the dates for our Fall Youth Conference we call THE ONE GATHERING. We purposely put it a few weeks into the school year, because about the time OCT 23 hits, you are going to need this. It will set the course for the rest of the year and into 2027 for you. We will be gathering will all of our youth groups SAULT, ALPENA, GA***RD, ROSCOMMON and we have also invited a couple others to join. Ok, here is your next step - REGISTER NOW for the ONE GATHERING. You don't have to pay right now, but we need to have you registered so we can plan properly. There's lots of planning for a trip like this, so your registration is really helpful. PS, if money is EVER a hardship, please sign up and ask us for a scholarship. We may be able to do the whole thing or a partial scholarship just to help out. That is true for anything we do. These trips are life changing, and form us. The bind us together, and I really encourage you to make it happen to be there. Some of you have events - I get it, but I really ask you to either make a way to get up there after or skip the practice or game. Yes, its that important. We may have another vehicle driving up for those involved in sports on a Friday Night. We will leave the church at 4pm Friday OCT 23 and be back Sunday by about 1pm. OK here is your part. REGISTER NOW by clicking HERE (Then have a sip of coffee and come back):

https://miefree.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3845350

OK, sorry I know, lots of stuff.

BIBLE STUDIES Are STARTING:

MIDDLE School GUYS - 5:30-7:30pm TUESDAY Nights at Biggby Coffee on Main Street. Bring Money for drinks.

MIDDLE School GIRLS - 5:30-7:30pm TUESDAY Nights at the Gray House at 521 East Main Street in Ga***rd.

Bring your bibles to bible study, and a notebook and pen. Invite your friends. This is a great way to get closer with some other people and really dig deep into God's word.

SUNDAY SCHOOL has already started, but you may not know about it. It happens every SUNDAY at 10:30am downstairs in room B-16 with the world famous BRUCE & JAN BAILEY. Grab a doughnut, and lock in for a great year of Sunday School.

FCA Groups Kicking off this week and next at your schools. MONDAY Night SEPTEMBER 7 is a KICKOFF NIGHT for FCA that everyone is invite to. We will be spending time in prayer over all of our groups and handing out STARTER BOXES for our groups to kick off right. That will happen at the EFREE CHAPEL from 7-8pm on the night of MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7. Parents please come as well.

This weekend at YOUTH group, we continue our series "EARS TO HEAR" and have a special gift for everyone.

NEXT WEEKEND - Its our Fall KICKOFF and we will be going OFFSITE for a fun TREASURE HUNT at JOHNSONS CABIN.

Ok, I know its alot, but we got through it together!

See you this Sunday!

Dave

08/29/2026

This is one of those weeks you just don’t want to miss. We will be giving so much information about this Fall

-KICK OFF Sunday Sept 13
-Small groups are starting up
-FCA is starting up
-ONE Gathering registration is now open
-Sunday School starts back up
-New Worship team onboarding
-Prayer Initiative starting

So many good things we need to talk about THIS SUNDAY

Our Series continues this week “Eyes to see Ears to hear”

See you Sunday

08/26/2026

Registration is NOW Open for the ONE Gathering!!
This is our 2nd annual One Gathering Trip, and last year it really set the course for how this year has gone. There's really something special about pulling away from all the noise and connecting with Jesus.
The backdrop of Cedar Bay Retreat Center is the perfect place to hear from God, connect with other students, and revive our hearts.
**We want every student to come with us this year, so sign up now. ** Don't wait. Here is the link. Please share.

The ONE Gathering is our fall youth conference, and it's designed to create a space for students to encounter Jesus Christ one on one, and equip them to share the Gospel.  One loving God. One Rescue plan.  One heart at a time.  3 campuses - ONE Gathering.Our conference this year will....

08/22/2026

Boyne City is preheated 🙌. Tomorrow we will pray over this city, share Gods love to those who will let us, worship against the backdrop of Gods beautiful creation, and hear how He’s changed our lives. I wonder what other people are doing? I love living on purpose with you guys!

08/21/2026

16 Spots left on Busses for this Sundays JESUS is in this CITY - Boyne City Trip. Register still if you can drive, but especially if you are going to be on the bus with us, please register by the end of the day today.
Register now at:

This will be our last stop this in the Jesus is in this City Summer Prayer tour.  What an amazing summer it has been.  We've seen God move in ways that has changed us and opened our eyes.  We will meet in the youth room for lunch and then depart for Boyne City.  We will be prayer...

08/13/2026

We are still in need of same help at the fair today, tomorrow and Saturday. 12-4pm & 4-9pm. Text me if your interested 989-370-7553

08/10/2026

SERVE WITH US AT THE FAIR!! // One of our Spiritual Growth Catalysts at Efree is Serving. We are encouraged in Matthew 20:28 "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to Serve"

I don't know about you, but I want my kids to know the blessing of serving. Here's what I will do to encourage you. I promise a good time doing it. There is no doubt, wherever we go, we have fun doing it. I'd also like to do some prayer and evangelism along the way as we have been.

Here are the needs, and I'd ask that you just text me and let me know which shift that you'd like to help with:

NEEDS - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 12pm-4pm or 4pm-9pm. You will get free entrance into the fair, and if you are working the later shift, free entrance into the grandstands. Our job is to make sure the fairgrounds are cleaned up and garbages are emptied. We will feed you as well. TEXT NOW: 989-370-7553 with your name and shift that you'd like.

08/04/2026

God changed our plans this summer. I'm so glad He did! He stirred in us to Pray over our cities in Michigan, share the gospel, and live in real community with each other.

It really all started to happen about a year ago at our youth conference we call the ONE GATHERING. The theme last year was "The Harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few"

Mark your calendars NOW for ONE GATHERING 2026 October 23-25th once again at Cedar Bay Retreat Center.

If you know a teenager who is not yet living their life on purpose for greatest cause in the history of the world, send them our way.

Come and See what God is doing!

More to come!

God stirred something in our hearts that has led to citywide prayer...

08/01/2026

Tomorrow after church there’s an opportunity to help a man move that needs to out by Monday. 1011 Timberline trail. PIZZA PROVIDED!!

07/26/2026

Today!

It is that time of year again!! **MOVE UP SUNDAY** is this Sunday July 26th and will take place OFFSITE at the Home of one of our Amazing counselors Steve Johnson. Pick Up and Drop off will be there at 6500 Cottage Trail in Ga***rd. Jet Skiiing, tubing, kayaking, zipline, boating, campfire, food, worship, it will all be there from 5pm-9pm this Sunday for all incoming students coming into 7th grade all the up through High School. Spread the word!