New church forms locally

Christ the King Church, of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), has opened locally for others to join them. They meet at the Big Horn Federal Community Room on Sundays at 9 a.m. for the Worship Service, 10 a.m. Bible Study and on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. for Bible Study. 

Most of the members currently attending originally knew each other from their previous times in Casper at the WELS church there. According to the members, their focus as a church is “brotherly love and evangelism.”

One member, Vern Dockter, didn’t have access to a WELS church locally and had to travel to attend church in Casper. Now, with the new WELS church, he doesn’t have to travel to attend church anymore. 

Member Phil Scheel added to the discussion and said, “We’re a biblically foundational church. We don’t like the idea of some churches claiming to be conservative. It’s not about conservatism. It’s about being based on the Bible. That’s why we think this is the church and the practice of the WELS church is based on scripture.”

Regarding describing a church as conservative or liberal, Scheel said, “I don’t like that terminology when it comes to church. I think in politics it means something totally different. A lot of people get confused. So in an effort to not say that we are more conservative than anything else, we’re just based on the Bible.”

Pastor Fred Schurman from Buffalo visits Christ the King Church in person every first Sunday of the month at 3 p.m., weather permitting. The other Sundays, he connects with the congregants remotely via the internet. 

Pastor Schurman said, “When Wyoming was a young state, a pastor rode on a horse and came once a month to all the places. And thanks to technology, I can cover them for the rest of the weekends, a month without the horse.

Regarding their church’s focus, Pastor Schurman added, “Evangelism is sharing the good news of the salvation of Christ and reaching out to people who don’t know God for their Savior. Obviously in Wyoming, what really matters is: Wyoming is a state. You slide off the road, somebody’s going to pull over with the tow rope and help get you out. Right? So brotherly love, we’re talking about standing behind each other and having your back.”

Pastor Schurman was born and raised in Wyoming and grew up in Rawlins. His wife, Malissa, is from Thermopolis.