Oakbrook’s History
Oakbrook Evangelical Free Church was born out of numerical growth and spiritual need in the Oshkosh area. Church planting efforts were built on a foundation of prayer. Many people were involved. Rev. Art Volkmann, Pastor of Trinity Ev. Free Church in Ripon and that congregation saw the need for a Ev. Free Church in Oshkosh and for years committed this need to the Lord.
In the summer of 1993 Pastor Ed Riddick and his wife, Lois surveyed the area and its churches. Believing that Oshkosh was a growing area with much of the growth on the west side of Hwy 41, with many new homes being built, with young families and many children, with few evangelical churches and with a need for the type of ministry the EvFree offered the Riddicks moved to Oshkosh as pioneer missionaries.
With the support of friends, the Forest Lakes District of the EFCA and surrounding churches the church planting efforts began. In his sermon, “A Mind-Expanding Faith” John Ortberg reflects on the incident of Peter walking on water. He says, “All of us are ‘would-be water walkers.’ ” The boat was safe, secure and comfortable. The water high, the waves rough, the wind strong. Yet Peter ventured out. He adds that there is something, Someone, inside us that tells us to leave the routine of comfortable existence and abandon ourselves in this adventure of following Christ. This vision has captured our attention. If it captures yours, be assured we would love to have you.