Erie Evangelical Free Church (Erie, IL)

Associate Pastor Ron Eckberg brings a special message to EEFC on Sunday, October 6th. It is far too easy to turn a blind eye to catastrophe—especially if it doesn’t directly affect us—but in doing so we miss out on something very special. But Matthew 9 shows us the blessings of giving our hearts to the opportunities God puts before us.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues to lead us through our study of the Gospel of Matthew 11-13. Jesus is Lord of all. He revealed His authority in Matthew 12:1-14. But what does this mean to us? What hope does this massive truth bring to our day-to-day lives? We find the answer as Jesus addresses the polar responses of the Pharisees and those who are faithful. 

Jon Brands (EEFC Elder) shares a special message with us on the call to servanthood. Scripture is abundantly clear that part of our calling as followers of Jesus is to serve others. No reasonable believer would argue otherwise. But why is this so important, how do we do this, and what is the purpose of being a servant? These are questions we find answered in Philippians 2.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues to lead us through our study of Matthew 11-13 in our current series, "Polar Exploration". Last Sunday we heard Jesus offer peace in the midst of spiritual chaos. It is no wonder that those who opposed Jesus would next challenge that peace in the physical realm. As Jesus is confronted regarding the Sabbath, He shows us the breadth of His authority and rest that com...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches the second week in our study of Matthew 11-13. Is Jesus who He says He is? Our answer to that question changes not only the stability of our faith, but our peace in living out that faith. Either we are left with a hefty burden of our own achievement or we find the peace of security in our Savior. What will we choose?

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us unto a brand new series called, "Polar Exploration," as part our study through the gospel of Matthew. The ministry of Jesus drew a myriad of responses. Some people whole-heartedly accepted Him, others followed with reservations or in search of entertainment, still others violently opposed Him. In the end, as is the case today, our faith in or doubt about Jesus lead...

Josh Green offers a special message on living for Christ. The moment of our salvation is an eternity shaping event. Whether we feel the magnitude of it or not, it is the single most important instant of our lives. But... what then? How does the immensity of that powerful moment shape our everyday lives? Paul explains in Romans 6:1-14.

Pastor Ron Eckberg brings us a special message from Micah 6:8. It’s amazing how hard we humans work at turning the simple into something complicated. For example, “Love your neighbor” means “Love your neighbor”, right? In the Old Testament we find God giving us a simple formula to fulfill what he requires of us.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg concludes our 2024 Back-to-School series. It's easy to accept that no one is perfect. What's hard is dealing with the imperfections that hurt you. The cultural approach to such infractions is to seek personal retribution so that failure is immediately punished to our own satisfaction. That may sound fair, but it's unhelpful, unhealthy, and ungodly. So how should we respond?

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us through the second week of our Back-to-School series, "School Colors." The idea of "love" is central to our culture. It is needed, sought, and sometimes even weaponized. This is because the word gets used with varying meanings behind it. So, for the Kingdom-centered life, how is love understood and employed differently compared to the worldly-centered life?

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg launches us into this year's Back-to-School series called, "School Colors". Nearly everyone wants to be a good person, to leave a good legacy, to feel good about who we are. And yet, in the kingdom of this world, with all the striving for good, we see an abundance of misery, bitterness, and anything but "good" all around us. How are we to live, as people of the heavenly kin...

Pastor Ron Eckberg brings a special message from 1 Peter 2:9-10.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg closes out our study in the book of Joel. Last week we saw God revealing His faithfulness through Joel. But what now? As we close this short prophetic book, God challenges HIs people (that us!) to trust in the faithfulness Joel revealed. How do we do this? We find the keys in Joel 3:1-21.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us through the second week of a three-week series covering the book of Joel. Last week we saw how God confronts our sin with fitting consequences and discipline. This week our attention is turned to God's response to His people's repentance and we celebrate how God's faithfulness is revealed through His goodness, promises, and restoration.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg launches into a three-week study of the book of Joel in series called, "Detour." It is an easy thing to find ourselves a little off track in our lives and in our faith. In the opening sections of the book of Joel, God's intervenes to call his wayward children to change direction and come back to Him. In doing so, we learn how to respond faithfully when our lives have gone o...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg offers a special Father's Day message. On this Father's Day we honor all the men who have taken seriously the biblical call to leadership. An overview of King David's imperfect, but God-honoring leadership (as a father and king), shows us how to think about and implement such a calling into our own lives.

Pastor Ron Eckberg brings a special message from the Gospel of John. Wine is mentioned well over 200 times in the Bible and its usage reveals several aspects of God’s revelation to us and his calling upon us. No passage is more profound on both counts than Jesus words recorded in John 15. 

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg concludes our series, "Passport." Knowing who we are is important, but it only matters if we know how that identity shapes what we do. As we close this section of Matthew, we find Jesus sending out the disciples and are reminded about the boundless nature of our own calling through our identity in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Ron Eckberg teaches the next message in our current series in Matthew 8-10. Good. Better. Best. We want to enjoy the “good” life but that will never be enough so we move on up the ladder. Sadly, we fail to realize that the best life has to offer will still never be enough. What we really need is “new” life, the life Jesus offers. This week we examine how Jesus gave this new life to differen...

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues to lead us through the book of Over the past few weeks we've observed Jesus' display of His authority and God's grace. Why are these so important in our day-to-day lives? Matthew answers this question in the next story of healing. In Matthew 9:1-8 we find the boundless hope of the Messiah's identity and mission.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches week #2 in our study, "Passport". It's a very "Christian" thing to say that Jesus has all authority in our lives? But does He? Matthew 8:18-34 shows the magnificent power and boundless reach of the authority of Jesus as it challenges us to decide whether or not we are willing to submit fully to that authority.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg launches us into our new series, "Passport." Understanding who you are is vital to knowing your purpose and mission. When it comes to our faith, our identity as disciples of Christ shapes our everyday actions. In Matthew 8:1-17 Jesus' identity as an expression of God's boundless grace leads us forward in our own identity and missional calling in His Kingdom.

Ron Huisman preaches a special sermon at Erie Evangelical Free Church. As we open to Acts 1:1-8, we focus on how God wants to use every one of us for the mission and purpose of His kingdom. 

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches the conclusion of our current series, "The King and His Kingdom," on the first book in the Gospel of Matthew. In the final teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew relays how Jesus leaves His followers with a choice and it's the same choice we face today: How will I respond to Jesus' call to follow Him in His Kingdom?

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches the next message in our series in the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. Sometimes we have a goal or a purpose in mind and, while it takes great effort, we can work our way to achieving that goal. But then what? It's easy to let down our guard and slip back into old habits. When it comes to hearts that pursue the Heavenly kingdom, Jesus teaches us how to guard th...