Spring has always been a time of new beginnings and this was no less true for a group of Christians who began worshipping together at Birch Grove Elementary School in June of 1988. The Home Missions Board of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (AFLC) started the church because of strong interest for a Bible-based Lutheran congregation with a vision for reaching people in the Northwest suburbs of Minneapolis for Jesus Christ.

By May of 1989, this dedicated group of believers became incorporated as Solid Rock Free Lutheran Church. The congregation of fifty was enriched spiritually by Pastor Francis Monseth, from the AFLC Seminary (www.aflc.org), who served them for the first 2 1/2 years. The members worshipped in the school on Sundays and met in private homes for Bible Study during the week. When growth was firmly established spiritually, numerically, and financially, the congregation called Pastor Keith Quanbeck who served for 1 1/2 years. Following Pastor Keith, Pastor David Abel served the congregation while on furlough from mission work in Brazil. The congregation then called Pastor Jim Johnson, a gifted teacher, who served Solid Rock for 7 years. Pastor Richard Gunderson, former missionary, served Solid Rock faithfully for 1 1/2 years as interim pastor. In July of 2003, Solid Rock called Pastor Nathan Hoff.

After moving through a number of cities, and meeting in a variety of schools and other buildings, the Lord has seen fit to establish a home base for the ministry of Solid Rock in downtown Anoka. On August 31st, 2003, Solid Rock celebrated an Ebenezer Sunday. In 1 Samuel, Samuel the Prophet lays down a large stone and calls it Ebenezer–Stone of Remembrance, and says as he places it, “Thus far the Lord has been faithful.” We claim 1 Samuel 7:12 as a theme verse: “Thus far the Lord has been faithful!”

Pastors
(1989-1992) – Dr Francis Monseth
(1992-1994) – Pr Keith Quanbeck
(1994-1995) – Pr David Abel
(1995-2001) – Pr Jim Johnson
(2001-2003) – Pr Dick Gunderson
(2003-2006) – Pr Nathan Hoff
(2006-2014) – Pr Gary Haug
(2014-2020) – Pr Paul Kneeland
(2020-2021) – Pr Wayne Hjermstad
(2021-Present) – Pr Brett Boe