It’s Not Easy Visiting a Church!
Visiting a church for the first time can be frightening. Will I feel out of place? Will I know what to do? Will my children like it (and be well cared-for in a safe environment)? Will I be asked to give money? How should I dress? Is it okay if I don’t believe what everyone else seems to believe? These are all good questions. We’ve done our best to make the Alliance Church of the Valley as “user-friendly” as possible, whether you are a long-time church-goer, or this is your first time of giving it a try. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect:
DoctrineRead More
What to Expect
when you visit Alliance Church of the Valley
Service
One thing you will notice is that most people are dressed comfortably — even casually. We have teaching from the Bible that is practical and relevant. Our services involves lively and heart-felt worship in song, led by some gifted musicians. Once in a while, we will incorporate inspirational video clips or short drama sketches to enhance the sermon message. We want to reach people with God’s Word through a variety of mediums. Our services are blended, combining both contemporary worship songs and hymns. Our goal is that through the music, the teaching, and the whole worship time you would be able to personally connect with God and experience His love and mercy through Jesus.
Communion
Every first Sunday of the month during the service we take Communion together. This is an ancient tradition established by Jesus as a way that we can remember His death for us. It is a powerful time of reflection, worshiping Him for His mercy, confessing our sins, and receiving His forgiveness. If you are a follower of Jesus, we invite you to join in. Otherwise, you can sit back and enjoy the music. Either way it can be a time where you powerfully meet God.
After the Service
Our services run about an hour and we think you will find it to be powerful and life-giving. After the service, many people stick around and make new friends and catch up with old ones. We hope you will stop by for a visit. There are other excellent churches in the area. Whether you end up in ours or another church — what we long for is that you find a place that helps you come into the joy of knowing Jesus.
Our Team
Our Beliefs
Worship Times
Events
Students
What to Expect
Our Beliefs & Values
Alliance Church of the Valley strives to abide
by God’s standards through our core values:
Biblical Authority
We honor Scripture as our first and final authority with regard to our Christian faith and lifestyle.
- “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
Missions
Lost people matter to God. He wants them found, locally and globally.
- “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19,20)
- “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
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Compassion & Mercy
As recipients of God’s compassion and mercy to us, we are to extend the same grace to others in tangible acts of mercy and love.
- “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
- “But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15)
- “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.” (Dt. 10:18)
Discipleship
A disciple of Jesus follows Him, is transformed by Him, and joins Him in/on His mission of making disciples who make disciples.
- “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Col. 2:6,7)
- “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
Family
Because God is our Father and we are his children, brothers and sisters in Christ, we love one another through word and deed.
- “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10)
Worship
Worship is both an attitude of the heart and actions that celebrate our relationship with God and gives Him glory.
- “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28)
- “For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
Prayer
Prayer demonstrates our utter dependence upon God and is the first work of our church.
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
- “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2)
Because God is our Father and we are his children, brothers and sisters in Christ, we love one another through word and deed.
- “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10)
We begin life with the natural, next we come into the spiritual; but then, when we have truly received the kingdom of God and His righteousness, the natural is added to the spiritual, and we are able to receive the gifts of His providence and the blessings of life without becoming centered in them or allowing them to separate us from Him.
– A.B. Simpson, founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance
Who We Are
Our Team & Leadership
Hi, my name is Jeff Naegelen, and I began serving as the lead pastor in January of 2019. Previously, I’ve served as the associate pastor for adult ministries from April of 2001 through December of 2018, and was the youth pastor from January 1991- August 1997. It was also a pleasure to serve as the pastor of a church plant in Missouri Valley, Iowa for 4 years, before returning to St. Croix Falls in 2001. The ministry opportunities and the people at Alliance church of the Valley have helped me grow in my faith and walk with Jesus, and shaped me to be the person I am today. They have spurred me on to love and good deeds, and it’s my pleasure to continue serving them while in this new position as lead pastor. It’s been fun to work alongside Chris Folkestad as the youth pastor for the past 10 years, and look forward to our new partnership as he takes on the role of co-lead pastor.
Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota is my alma mater, where I graduated in 1983 with a Bachelors of Religious Education. Prior to that I received a one-year Bible Certificate from Northwestern College in Roseville. I was an Admissions Counselor for Crown College from 1986 until 1989 before going into youth ministry in Hawaii. I met my wife DeeAnn at Crown College, and thank God for bringing us together. We were married in June of 1991, and have three wonderful children, Josiah (23), Elliana (17), and Hope (14). Our kids have loved attending church at ACV and participating in the various programs offered and the care given by such loving people. This is not only a great place to raise our children, but a great place to serve our Lord and Friend Jesus Christ. I hope you’ll join us, and experience what I’m talking about.
Lead-Pastor: Jeff Naegelen
Pastor
Hi, I am Chris Folkestad, the Co-Lead Pastor at Alliance Church of the Valley. My wife, Katie, and I were both born and raised in Central Minnesota before making the transition to St. Croix Falls. Serving and being with students is a passion of both Katie and myself.
My personal philosophy of ministry is to help students know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, grow in their personal relationships with Him and go and bring this message of hope and salvation to their friends, community and world! I believe strongly in connection students with Christ and seeing them begin to own their faith!
Katie and I were married in August of 2003. We were able to graduate form Crown College in 2004. Katie majored in Youth Social Science and Business, and I graduated with a degree in Youth Ministry. We have two great kids, Caden (11) and Avery (10). They have brought so much joy and love to our family. Not to mention the laughs! God has blessed us as we continue to grow closer together. We are excited about our time here at ACV! We believe that the best way to do ministry and life is as a team.
Co-Pastor: Chris Folkestad
Pastor
Student Ministries Pastor: Charles Amoh
Pastor
Doctrine
The C&MA Doctrinal Statement
There is one God, who is infinitely perfect, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 5:48, Matthew 28:19)
Jesus Christ is the true God and the true man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of Majesty on high as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His kingdom, righteousness and peace. (Philippians 2:-11, Luke 1:34-38, I Peter 3:18, Hebrews 2:9, Romans 5:9, Acts 2:23-24, Hebrews 8:1, Matthew 26:64)
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, sent to dwell, guide, teach, empower the believer, and convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 14:15-18, John 16:13, Acts 1:8, John 16:7-11)
The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, were verbally inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice. (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:15-16)
Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God: he fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death. All men are born with a sinful nature, are separated from the life of God, and can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The portion of the unrepentant and unbelieving is existence forever in conscious torment; and that of the believer, in everlasting joy and bliss. (Genesis 1:27, Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, Revelation 21:8, Revelation 21:1-4)
Salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all men’ and those who repent and believe in Him are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life, and become the children of God. (Titus 3:4-7)
It is the will of God that each believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit and be sanctified wholly, being separated from sin and the world and fully dedicated to the will of God, thereby receiving power for holy living and effective service. This is both a crisis and a progressive experience wrought in the life of the believer subsequent to conversion. (1 Thessalonians 5:23, Acts 1:8, Romans 6:1-14)
Provision is made in the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the healing of the mortal body. Prayer for the sick and anointing with oil are taught in the Scripture and are privileges for the Church in this present age. (Matthew 8:16-17, James 5:13-16)
The Church consists of all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, are redeemed through His blood, and are born again of the Holy Spirit. Christ is the Head of the Body, the Church, which has been commissioned by Him to go into all the world as a witness, preaching the gospel to all the nations. The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of God, for edification through the Word of God, for prayer, fellowship, the proclamation of the gospel, and observance of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Ephesians 1:22-23, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-47)
There shall be a bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust; for the former, a resurrection unto life; for the latter, a resurrection unto judgment. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23, John 5:28-29)
The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent and will be personal, visible, and premillennial. This is the believer’s blessed hope and is a vital truth which is an incentive to holy living and faithful service. (Hebrews 10:37, Luke 21:27, Titus 2:11-14)