EFC FAITH DISCIPLESHIP CENTER

Faith Discipleship Center is a 9-month residential ministry that provides personal, individualized training of men to find freedom from alcohol, drugs and/or sex by standing firm in Christ (Ephesians 6:10-13).

Our previous senior pastor launched the ministry with a 4-fold vision: First, he had a fervent Gospel Compassion for men who had imprisoned themselves to addictions and wrecked their lives.

Second, he wanted to call them to Gospel Conversion and embrace the saving hope he found in Christ as an adult. Some come in as believers while others have barely ever heard of Jesus; yet all hear the gospel and are invited to entrust their lives to Christ. Though not all respond with saving faith, all are still shown how Biblical truths can help them turn from addictions.

Third, the heart of the ministry is Gospel Cultivation, training men about how Christ wants to transform every aspect of their lives. Residents will take classes on the Bible and its truths as well as Biblically-addressing addictions through Celebrate Recovery and Prevent Relapse programs. We also have Biblically-based classes on sexual idolatry, relationships, employment and financial stewardship.

Finally, it’s also about Gospel Connection. It’s a ministry of the Evangelical Free Church of Oelwein but not EFCO alone. We partner with many churches and Christians in northeast Iowa with financial and volunteer support.

The 9 months are divided into 3 phases, each 3 months long. Phase 1 is focused primarily on the classes, attending church, doing chores and serving the Oelwein community. Phases 2 & 3 introduce full-time employment to help the men learn how to battle temptations in the real world while participating in the ministry when not at work. The goal is that they leave the ministry with some savings, a good job, and especially connections with Christ and other Christians. If they feel they need to stay longer to pay off fines or strengthen their new way of living, that’s an option too.

Why? Because Gospel Compassion is taking where people are, introducing them to Christ, allowing Him to change them on His timeframe and then deploying them into the world to stand firm in Him. For Gospel Compassion is how and why Christ transforms all of us.

It should be understood that FDC is not a halfway house nor a medical treatment facility.

Please feel free to stop by and visit us, but we do ask that you call ahead before you visit. You can contact the Center at:

• (319) 240-6215
• info@efcfaithdiscipleshipcenter.com