The Butler Church (formerly Butler Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church), located on East Butler Ave., Fresno, California, was organized in 1956 near Fresno Pacific University. The worship center was completed in 1964. In the 1990s additional worship services with unique styles emerged. A second worship service was created, aimed at reaching the university population. In 1992, an Asian ministry to the Lao/Khmu community began with Pastor Phone Keo Keovilay. During this time, an outreach ministry also began among the Spanish-speaking community of Southeast Fresno. By 1994 a Bible study and prayer group birthed into a Sunday morning Spanish-language worship service.

In 1959 the membership was 147, with Elmer A. Martens as pastor. In 2009 the Interim Pastor was Larry Martens, the Associate Pastor-Southeast Asian Ministries was Keo Keovilay and the Spanish Ministries Pastor was Lynn Kauffman.

Bibliography

Additional Information

Address: 4884 East Butler Avenue, Fresno, California

Phone: 559-252-3741

Website: Butler Church

Denominational Affiliation: U. S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 1069. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

©1996-2013 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.