Our History

The history of Evangelical Bible Church is an exciting one.  There have been changes of location, changes of name, and changes in leadership, but there has never been a change of purpose: to know God and to make Him known.  Consequently, God has richly blessed!

The church was originally named Florence Bible Church and met in a small church building at 8424 North 29^th Street from its initial organization in 1960 to the time of the sale of the building in 1969.  From that original work came three works:  Community Bible Church in southwest Omaha, Evangelical Bible Church in northwest Omaha and Community Baptist Church located at 8019 North 31^st Street.

The families of Evangelical Bible Church rented facilities in the Benson area until they grew in size enough to purchase several lots in the Saddle Hills addition of northwest Omaha in 1970.  Under the leadership of part-time pastor, Rev. Allan Wiebe (who was also serving on the faculty of Grace College of the Bible), construction of the facilities began in 1971 and were dedicated in 1972.  Upon moving into their new building the church decided to call its first full-time pastor, Dr. Hal Schulz.

The ministry prospered to the point that it was necessary to add onto the building in 1976.  This new addition, which doubled the size of the original building, included expanded nursery space, an AWANA room, offices, and the overflow room to the sanctuary.  It was dedicated in 1977.

When the Lord called Dr. Schulz to Portland in 1982, the congregation voted to call a new Senior Pastor, Dr. Paul Nyquist, in November of 1983.  Brian Classen was added to the pastoral staff as Youth Pastor in September of 1989, and Rev. Timothy Reed joined the staff as our new Associate Pastor in 1991, with primary responsibilities in music and worship.

As the ministry of EBC has grown through the years the physical needs of the church continued to grow.  In order to accommodate those needs several steps of faith were taken.  First, a house on adjoining property at 5112 North 78^th Street was purchased in 1985 to become the EBC Youth Center.  This facility, which has been extensively remodeled, was quickly outgrown by our burgeoning Youth Ministry and now serves as a residence for EBC staff.  Sunday School classes met in two of the basement rooms on Sunday mornings.

Second, when the pinch of space again became apparent, the congregation voted in 1987 to more than double the size of the current church facility by adding on the north side of the building.  This new three story wing, containing nearly 18,000 square feet, was paid for on a cash basis with pledges from the congregation.

The lower level, which was completed in the Fall of 1990, contains numerous large classrooms for educational purposes, new restrooms, a library, and a commons area.  The upper level, which was completed in the Spring of 1992, contains a new worship center which seats approximately 500 people in movable seating, as well as a large, well-lit foyer.  Finally, there was extensive remodeling and expansion of both the nursery center and the administrative area in order to serve the needs of the church better.

Third, in a visionary move for the future, the congregation voted in 1988 to purchase additional undeveloped land across from the church.  This wooded land, purchased on a no-interest land contract, could be used for a multitude of different purposes in the future.  It could also provide direct access to Military Avenue.

In October, 1996 Dr. Nyquist accepted a pastorate in Des Moines, Iowa.  After a two year search, Rev. Don Pahl was called, beginning his tenure as Sr. Pastor in December, 1998.  Gary Krehbiel became the new Youth Pastor in June, 1997.  Harvey Gilbert joined the staff in July, 1998 as Minister of Visitation.

Marvin Wall was called to fill the position of Minister of Member Care when Harvey Gilbert moved to KC.  Kevin Stone became the Pastor of Worship in September, 2006.  In the summer of 2006 Bert Johnson was hired for one year as our Director of Children’s Ministry.  In September of 2007, Marilyn Busenitz became our Director of Children’s Ministry.

Since the beginning days in Florence, EBC has been affiliated with an association of like-minded churches called the Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches.  This Fellowship, which celebrated its Centennial Anniversary in 1989, has always stood firm on the fundamental doctrines of salvation by faith alone and the inspiration of Scripture.  Although a Fellowship, there is complete autonomy of the local church and thus EBC is able to structure its ministry in the way that it best sees fit to impact the Omaha Metropolitan area.

With an unwavering stand on the Scriptures and a desire to see lives changed by the Gospel of grace, Evangelical Bible Church is striving to become a “Community of Faith bringing Faith to the Community”.