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Sunday, Jan. 22 Lakes Free Church will be having a special Dedication Service for the new youth center and gymnasium at 10:30 a.m. There will be an open house in the afternoon from 2-4 p.m. for anyone in the community who would like to see the facility which includes a gym, commons, game room (air hockey tables, etc.), kitchen, coffee bar and classrooms.

Lakes Free Pastor Ric Stanghelle shared that “Just one year ago, this was still a dream. We hadn’t raised the funds. We didn’t know how much it would cost and we hadn’t voted to go ahead with the project. It has been amazing to see it come together so quickly. The congregation committed just over $2 million to the project over a three year period. Construction began in May and was completed in December. Our youth group held their first event in the center Dec. 30 with an overnight lock-in. They had a great time. God has provided over and above what we expected.”

The youth center will be open after school with supervision Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. starting Jan. 17. Wednesday night the youth group meets from 7-8:30 p.m.

Please call the church office for more information on schedules and activities at 651-257-2677.

One other change you’ll notice at the church is a shortened name from Chisago Lakes Evangelical Free Church to Lakes Free. Pastor Ric said, “We have people coming from a wider area than just Chisago Lakes and our new name reflects that. It’s a shorter name that’s easier to say and remember. We also wanted to create a new logo for the church along with our name change and this seemed like a good time to address both items.” A new church sign will be coming in the near future.

Lakes Free Church is located at 29620 Olinda Trail, near Chisago Lakes High School in Lindstrom.

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