Built on the Word,
United in Christ
At United Church, our faith and way of life are firmly rooted in God's inspired Word, the Bible. We believe its explicit passages and timeless principles provide the unwavering foundation for everything we believe and how we live. Based on Scripture, we joyfully affirm the following truths:
THE BIBLE:
We believe the Bible is the infallible, divinely inspired Word of God, serving as the ultimate and authoritative guide for salvation and Christian living. It is entirely trustworthy and sufficient for every aspect of our faith. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
GOD:
We believe in one eternal God, who has profoundly revealed Himself as our loving Father, through His Son Jesus Christ, and in the present power of the Holy Spirit. We affirm that Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh, fully divine and fully human, through whom all things were created and redeemed. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 14; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16)
SIN AND SALVATION:
We believe that all humanity has fallen short of God's perfect standard and is in need of salvation due to sin. Salvation is a miraculous gift, freely offered by God's grace and received through faith in Jesus Christ. This saving faith is demonstrated and deepened through our ongoing obedience to His Word. Our salvation is eternally secured by the complete and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9:12, 22)
THE GOSPEL:
The Good News of Jesus Christ — His sacrificial death for our sins, His burial, and His glorious resurrection — is the foundational message of our faith. We are divinely instructed to obey this Gospel in our lives. We respond to the Gospel through: * Repentance: A turning away from sin and toward God (death to sin). * Water Baptism: Immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, symbolizing His burial and our identification with Him. * Receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit: Being filled with the Holy Spirit, signifying new life, spiritual empowerment, and the indwelling presence of God. The Holy Spirit empowers believers for transformed living, effective witness, and the manifestation of spiritual gifts as He wills. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 2:4; Romans 6:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17)
CHRISTIAN LIVING & SPIRITUAL GIFTS:
As followers of Christ, we are called to a life of wholehearted love for God and compassionate love for others. We are committed to living a holy life, both inwardly in our thoughts and attitudes, and outwardly in our actions and conduct. Our worship of God is joyful, sincere, and reverent. We believe the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, including divine healing, prophecy, and speaking in tongues, are active, relevant, and essential for the church today, empowering believers for ministry and edification. (Matthew 22:37-39; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 14:26)
THE FUTURE & ETERNITY:
We believe in the glorious imminent return of Jesus Christ to gather His church, commonly known as the rapture. We affirm the reality of Heaven and Hell as eternal destinations. There will be a final resurrection of the dead and a final judgment for all humanity. The righteous, those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, will inherit eternal life with God, while the unrighteous will face eternal separation from Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:46)
Our Mission and Guiding Principals
Our Mission:
United Church is committed to spreading the love of God and the transformative message of Jesus Christ throughout the Fergus Falls, MN area. We achieve this by loving people as they are, sharing the good news, and actively serving our community, all in the pursuit of uniting with our Savior.
Our Vision:
At United Church Fergus Falls, we’re committed to leading people to Jesus and sharing His message of hope and transformation with our community.
At United Church, our foundation for belief and lifestyle is God's infallible Word (the Bible) and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. These guide every aspect of who we are and what we do, leading us to:
Being Guided by God's Word & Spirit:
God's Infallible Word: We believe the Bible is the ultimate authority for salvation and Christian living, illuminating our path and shaping our understanding of truth. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105)
Empowering Holy Spirit: We rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance, comfort, and power to transform lives and enable us to live according to God's will. (John 16:13; Acts 1:8)
Transformative Love: We extend God's unconditional love to all people, just as they are, recognizing that true transformation comes from His divine work in their hearts, drawing them into a deeper relationship with Him and conforming them to the image of Christ. We love others with the desire that they experience the fullness of God's grace and truth. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:2)
Life-Changing Good News: We are dedicated to boldly sharing the positive and transformative message of Jesus Christ – His death, burial, and resurrection – offering hope, salvation, and new life in a world of challenges. This Gospel is the power of God for all who believe. (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 2:38)
Active Community Service: We empower every individual to discover their unique calling and actively participate in serving our community and the world. Through acts of love and compassion, we demonstrate the heart of Christ and fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20; Galatians 5:13; Hebrews 6:10)
Meet The Pastor
Matt & Bea Osland are passionate about helping people develop a relationship with God. Together, they have taught numerous home Bible Studies in Texas and in Minnesota. Matt and Bea enjoy having individuals in their home for drinking coffee, playing games, or just enjoying a delicious meal.
They are a faith-driven couple who have dedicated their lives to serving God and loving people. Their marriage is built upon a strong foundation of faith, prayer, and purpose, reflecting the heart of Christ in everything they do.
They are blessed with four children — Marco (Kassandra), Misael, Emilee, and Alec — and their granddaughter Grace, who shares their love for joy and fellowship. Together, they value family, faith, and the beauty of walking in community with others.
The Oslands strive to be vessels of God’s love, reaching the lost, strengthening the weary, and inspiring others to walk boldly in their calling. Their passion for ministry and heart for people are evident in every aspect of life and service at United Church in Fergus Falls.
With a deep passion for the things of God, they are active in ministry, believing that true fulfillment comes through serving others. Whether it’s through hosting get-togethers, helping someone move, community outreach, or simply offering a listening ear, they live to make a difference wherever God places them. Their home is a place of peace, prayer, and encouragement—open to anyone in need of love, support, or hope.
They have a genuine love for their community and believe that the Church is not confined to four walls, but is a living, breathing expression of Christ’s hands and feet on earth. From preparing meals to mentoring young believers, they see every act of kindness as an opportunity to reflect God’s heart.
Their lives echo the words of Matthew 5:16 — “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Their mission is simple yet powerful: to love God deeply and to love people sincerely. Through compassion, faith, and unity, they continue to impact lives—one soul, one family, and one community at a time.
