The Staff
Dave Carlson Senior Pastor
Dave and Gretchen Carlson moved to Cheyenne in September of 2004. Both grew up in Colorado, and Dave received degrees from Colorado State University and Denver Seminary. Gretchen's degree is from the University of Northern Colorado. Dave served as a youth pastor in Boulder and assisted in planting a church in Fort Collins before moving to the Westmark EFC of rural Loomis, Nebraska, where he served for 16 years. The Carlsons have two sons and four grandchildren. Dave and Gretchen enjoy their canoe, bicycles and camping, but quilting, garden and furniture projects keep them close to home.
Dave has become known in Cheyenne for his true pastor's heart. Dave and Gretchen have strived to make Cheyenne E-Free Church a real community where people can be cared for and loved.
Jake Merriman Equipping Pastor
Jacob and Caroline moved to Cheyenne in February of 2009. Jacob grew up in South Dakota, and Caroline in Geneva, Switzerland. They spent most of their lives an ocean apart, but God brought them together, and they were married in December of 2006. Five months later, Jacob received his Masters of Divinity from North American Baptist Seminary. He then accepted a call as the interim head pastor at First Baptist Church in Sibley, IA where he served until joining the staff at Cheyenne Evangelical Free Church as the Equipping Pastor. This move has been a home-coming of sorts for Jacob who grew up in Evangelical Free Church.
Jacob and Caroline are enjoying building new friendships and taking in God's creation in a place that is new to them both. They find great fulfillment and value in equipping and encouraging people to persevere and trust in God amidst the trials of life.
Mike Strand Associate Pastor
Mike Strand moved to Cheyenne in November of 2011. He grew up in Minot, ND and Northfield, MN. Mike Strand is a graduate of Taylor University, in Upland, Indiana, with a bachelor's degree in Biblical Literature. Mike was raised in a pastor's family within the Evangelical Free Church. He was homeschooled for some years and attended public schools at times. Since high school, he has made his gifts and talents available to God. He has been involved with the leadership of children's ministries and youth groups in Minnesota and Indiana. Mike has led campus and youth ministries, but his passion is worship through music. He is a classically trained pianist, and is self taught in guitar, bass, drums and other instruments.
