History
The church was founded in 1958 as the First Baptist Church of Brookfield, when 30 Christians met at Leland Elementary School in Elm Grove. The next year, Elmbrook called its first salaried pastor, Ted Anderson. In 1963, Pastor Bob Hobson was called to lead the church and the name was changed to Elmbrook Baptist Church. The following year, the church moved into its first building on Calhoun Road, in Brookfield. In 1966 the church built a 450-seat sanctuary and attendance increased from 300 to 700 by 1970. In 1968, the pastoral staff grew to two persons, a second morning service and evening service were added, and the church dropped the Baptist affiliation and officially became Elmbrook Church.
In 1970, Evangelist Stuart Briscoe was called by the church leadership to be its new senior pastor, upon the resignation of Bob Hobson. Briscoe had been serving with Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers, in Carnforth, England and had originally come to Elmbrook to preach at a series of meetings. In 1972, rapid growth led to Elmbrook using the Ruby Isle Theater for its second service. In 1973, Elmbrook purchased 39 acres (160,000 m2) for $100,000 at 777 South Barker Road, in Brookfield, and began construction on a new facility. In 1975, the first service was held in a new 1,380-seat sanctuary, the pastoral staff grew to six, and a second Sunday morning service was added with a Saturday evening service beginning in 1977. A third Sunday service was added in 1979.
In 1982, the South Wing classrooms and staff offices were added and the sanctuary was expanded. In 1984, Stuart Briscoe's messages began to be telecast on Sundays on WISN-TV in Milwaukee. In 1988, the West Wing Activity Center, including the Gymnasium and classrooms, were added. With weekly church attendance exceeding 5,000, in 1992, construction began on a 3,400-seat Worship Center (completed in 1994) and educational wing. At the time, Elmbrook had 18 pastors, 3,200 members, and supported 150 missionaries. Several construction projects were completed in 1996: the 3rd floor education addition, Amphitheater and remodelled Chapel (the old sanctuary), Resource Library, Garden of Readin’ bookstore, Fellowship Hall and Kitchen, with 7,000 adults attending each week, 20 pastors on staff, and 3,600 members.
In 1998, Elmbrook celebrated its 40th Anniversary. The next year, a live, 10:45 am Sunday morning radio broadcast of worship services was added. In 2000, the church Plaza was completed, Dr. Stuart Briscoe retired as senior pastor, and his protégé, Dr. Mel Lawrenz, was installed as his successor. Stuart and Jill Briscoe were commissioned to be international Ministers-at-Large. In 2004, the International Center was established, a third Sunday service was added, and an 8:00 am live Sunday radio broadcast was added. In 2008, a grass activities area and the Mission Cafe coffee shop opened.
In addition, the church has planted nine churches in the Milwaukee area: Eastbrook Church (1979), Hmong Alliance Church (1982), Lao Christian Church (1982), Westbrook Church (1983), Northbrook Church (1985), Meadowbrook Church (1989), Southbrook Church (1997), Centrobrook Church (1998), and Metrobrook Church (2005). Elmbrook also has global church partnerships with: Glennabey Church (Northern Ireland), Iglesia de LaPuerta Abierta (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Nairobi Chapel (Nairobi, Kenya), Covenant Evangelical Free Church (Singapore) and Jerusalem Alliance Church (Jerusalem, Israel).
The church celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008. In early 2010, Lawrenz resigned to become Elmbrook's third Minister-at-Large and then associate pastor, Scott Arbeiter, was appointed lead pastor while a search was underway for Lawrenz's successor.
Following Lawrenz stepping down from the role of Senior Pastor, Elmbrook began looking internally and externally for Senior Pastor candidates. On October 10, 2010, the church announced that Philip Griffin had been selected as Elmbrook's fifth senior pastor after an international search that lasted more than 18 months. Griffin previously served as the senior pastor at First Wesleyan Church of Battle Creek, Michigan, and he brought a passion for evangelism, a history of strong leadership and a desire to "reach the lost and grow the found." Griffin's first year as Elmbrook's senior pastor saw significant changes in the organization and programming of Elmbrook, as he sought to consolidate and refresh ministries.
Currently, Elmbrook has 14 pastors on staff, more than 100 employees and supports over 100 missionaries all over the world, while averaging 6,000 people in attendance per week.
Elmbrook's official core beliefs are best summarized in its Statement of Faith. But to the congregation, Elmbrook's beliefs are boiled down to six basic verbs that define every follower of Christ: living transformed lives, loving others as Christ does, serving those around us, giving sacrificially, gathering with other believers and multiplying so that others might know Christ’s love.
Quarterly Elmbrook Serves Saturday events allow the congregation a chance to serve in the community together, and buses of Elmbrookers are sent to schools and organizations around Milwaukee and Waukesha County to serve in a variety of capacities.
Locally, Elmbrook Church has partnerships with James Place, a community outreach in Waukesha, WI; BASICS; Community Warehouse; Feed My Sheep food and hospitality ministry; Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA); Hope Street; and Strong Links. Elmbrook also currently supports dozens of missionaries and mission organizations around the world and its yearly Harvestfest allows the congregation a chance to engage with its mission initiatives.
Globally, Elmbrook has partnerships with House of Hope in Nicaragua, Potter's House in Guatemala, The Harbor in Russia, Hope School in South Sudan, Friends for Health and World Relief-Haiti and The Congo Initiative.
Identical services are offered at 5 pm Saturdays and 8, 9:30 and 11 am Sundays. Captioning for the hearing-impaired is offered at 9:30 am, and simultaneous Spanish translation is offered during the 11 am service. There are also accommodations available during the service(s) for children, those with disabilities and nursing mothers. Starting Point classes are available several times a year for those exploring faith and wanting answers to spiritual questions, and newcomers are invited and encouraged to meet Senior Pastor Philip Griffin (or the speaking pastor that weekend) personally at the Newcomers' Reception after any service.
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