Our Story

Our Redeemer's has had a mission-minded focus for over 90 years. After initial mission work by Pastor Belno Lange, Our Redeemer's was officially founded in 1926 when Pastor V H Winter of Norfolk, NE accepted the call to be a missionary in Martin. With an eye toward the future, the new congregation went to work quickly, and in February of 1927, the first church building was dedicated. Continuing mission work led to a second congregation, St Paul's in Batesland, officially being organized in 1929.  Both locations were served by the same pastor.  In 1944, a church building and parsonage were purchased in Batesland, and the pastor moved there from Martin. Beginning in 1980, the congregations began serving a third group in Gordon, NE, which in 1987 organized as Rock of Ages. Rock of Ages dedicated their newly purchased building in 1988. In 1990, the current Martin church building was built on the site of the original building, and in 1996 a new parsonage was constructed, once again in Martin.

After 82 years, the congregation and church buildings in Batesland closed, and members joined one of the two remaining congregations. Today,  Our Redeemer's and Rock of Ages serve over 170 souls and continue to seek opportunities to reach out to the people of Bennett and Sheridan counties.  

A Snapshot of Today

The United States of America celebrates 250 years. The nation is blessed by the freedom and rights endowed upon them. Churches are blessed to worship and gather liberally without interference. This “experiment”, born 250 years ago, only continues to work with the constant vigilance and participation of its citizens against tyranny and aristocracy.

God has steadily kept his hand on His Church as we join in to celebrate a wholly different freedom altogether. We celebrate the freedom of the Gospel, namely, that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ’s finished work (1 Timothy 1:15–16). This freedom is only relevant when we know the Gospel truth; when members participate and stay vigilant in congregational life. So we maintain that it is important to continue to grow in the Gospel truth for this freedom to be experienced for the generations to come.

Today, our church seeks to participate in this Gospel freedom through various channels: Weekly worship, adult instruction courses, Adult Bible Study, Wednesday Bible School, Confirmation, Youth Group, and Summer Bible School.

To God alone be the glory.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. (1 Timothy 1:12)