Butler Church (Fresno, California, USA)
Butler Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church, founded in 1956, is located in southeast Fresno near the Mennonite Brethren institutions of Fresno Pacific University and Biblical Seminary. Since the church was established, the neighborhood demographics have changed, and the church has adapted and responded to the opportunities. In the 1990s, Butler became a multi-cultural, multi-congregational church.
In 2013, Butler had four congregations, each with autonomy over worship style, language, and internal organizational structure. Each group managed its own budget and decided whether or not to call a congregational pastor. Though different in languages and cultural norms, all groups were strongly committed to being one church.
In 2013 the Butler Church constitution enunciated a vision of supportive interaction and community involvement. All congregations gave toward a general budget for the shared facilities and support staff, including a Lead Pastor, and met together for combined worship several times a year, often sharing in baptisms and the Lord’s Supper. Every Sunday, all congregants met for fellowship in the courtyard—at Butler Café—between services. Together, the congregations hosted "Meal and More" on the first Wednesday of each month, inviting neighbors and friends to come for a simple meal and an after dinner activity. Monthly prayer meetings, a monthly food distribution, and a weekly Celebrate Recovery program were also joint ventures. The congregations worked together on facilities projects, in global missions, in childcare and Christian education, and on the Church Council.
In 2013 the four congregations at Butler were:
- Amor y Fe – Spanish speaking
- Asian Grace – Lao/Khmu
- Common Ground – English informal
- Faith Community –English traditional
Bibliography
Archival Records
Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Fresno, CA: Record Group CB511.
Additional Information
Address: 4884 East Butler Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727
Phone: 559-252-3741
Website: Butler Church
Denominational Affiliation:
Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
U. S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
Butler Church Leading Ministers
| Minister | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| Elmer A. Martens | 1958-1966 |
| Arno Wiebe | 1966-1971 |
| Robert Vogt | 1971-1978 |
| George Sanchez | 1978-1980 |
| Mervin Dick and Dennis Fast – Pastoral Team | 1980-1982 |
| Mervin Dick | 1982-1984 |
| Dale Warkentin | 1984-1990 |
| Rod Suess | 1990-2004 |
| Mark Thompson | 2004-2008 |
| Larry Martens (interim) | 2008-2009 |
| Scott Holman | 2011-present |
Butler Church Membership
| Year | Members |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 209 |
| 1965 | 305 |
| 1970 | 354 |
| 1975 | 346 |
| 1980 | 407 |
| 1985 | 308 |
| 1990 | 284 |
| 1995 | 287 |
| 2000 | 341 |
| 2010 | 448 |
Maps
Map:Butler Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church (Fresno, California)
| Author(s) | Luetta Reimer |
|---|---|
| Date Published | September 2013 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Reimer, Luetta. "Butler Church (Fresno, California, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. September 2013. Web. 18 Dec 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Butler_Church_(Fresno,_California,_USA)&oldid=171217.
APA style
Reimer, Luetta. (September 2013). Butler Church (Fresno, California, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 18 December 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Butler_Church_(Fresno,_California,_USA)&oldid=171217.
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