Lakes Community Church of Clitherall grew out of a weekly Bible study attended by folks from Battle Lake to Parkers Prairie, led by Bill and Jean Loge during the years of 1995-96, meeting in homes.  During that time, the group felt led by the Lord to conduct Sunday services and seek God’s leading to organize a church of those of like faith, true to the Word of God.  In searching for a public place to meet, it was discovered that the Seventh Day Adventist church in Clitherall could be rented on Sundays.  About this same time, Pastor Paul Twist retired from pastoring First Baptist church in Long Prairie and moved to Parkers Prairie.  He became acquainted with some of the Bible Study group and was asked to help lead the new group, along with Bill and Jean Loge.

 

The first service held for Lakes Community Church was a Christmas Carol Sing Along in December of 1996.  During this service, the furnace went out and everyone had to go down to the basement.  Despite a cold building, everyone's hearts were very warm as they celebrated our Savior's birth.

 

Then one month and a new furnace later, the first Sunday service at Clitherall was held in January of 1997, with 7 people in attendance.  The Advents met on Saturday and the Baptists met on Sunday.  The little group began to grow with attendance of 30’s, half adults and half youth.  During those early days until the church was fully organized, the First Baptist church of Parkers Prairie graciously handled the finances, for which the little new group were grateful.  On August 8th, 1999, the church had adopted their own Constitution and By Laws, using the By Laws from First Baptist Church in Long Prairie as a pattern and guide.  The church also voted to become a part of the Conservative Baptist Denomination located in Denver CO now known as CB America.

 

Also during this time, the Clitherall Seventh Day Adventist Church merged with their sister church in Fergus Falls, and sold the building to Lakes Community Church.  It was a great day of thanks to the Lord to have their own building.  Since that day to the present, many stages of remodeling and improvements have been made, including the lift, resulting in the attractive place of worship it is today.

 

In May of 2016, Pastor Paul Twist retired from the pastorate of Lakes Community Church.  During his retirement, Paul and his wife Patricia began attending Basswood Baptist in Richville.  While there he became acquainted with Pastor Bert Holmquist's intern, Aaron Simon.  After Aaron completed his internship, Paul asked Aaron if he felt prepared to pastor a church.  Determining that he was ready, Aaron soon began preaching at Lakes Community Church.  On his second visit, the congregation invited Aaron to become their pastor in July of 2017.

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As of January of 2024, Aaron has left to seek another church.

 

Lakes Community Church continues to preach God's Word and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is their prayer, that they would remain a light in the town of Clitherall until the Coming of the Lord Jesus.