the early days.

In August of 1983, a small group of young men and women began an evangelistic outreach on the campus of the University of North Dakota. Through Bible studies, literature distribution, ‘open-air’ preaching, and a great deal of prayer, a small fellowship of students and young adults was established. Sunday worship and teachings were held in campus facilities or in members’ homes. Then, in 1985, God graciously opened a door of opportunity to acquire a church building at 321 Cottonwood Street. It was purchased on a contract for deed and paid off within four and one-half years.

transitions.

Though the ‘complexion’ of Cottonwood Community Church has gone through changes over the years – from ‘college’ to ‘community’ to its present ‘college-community’ mix – our mission has always been the same: to reach the Greater Grand Forks Area (and beyond) for Jesus Christ! This includes getting the gospel to every resident in the area as well as discipling members to maturity in Jesus Christ. The great natural disaster of the flood of 1997 served particularly to re-ignite us with the vision of reaching a needy society with the Good News of Jesus Christ and it is our pleasure and privilege to labor for God in that capacity!

our current home.

After several years of praying for a bigger building, renting space, and considering the option of buying land, God answered our prayers.  In 2004, God sovereignly and graciously led us to buy and renovate our present building at 308 S. 5th Street. What an incredible home and source of blessing it has become for us. 

planting churches.

Shortly after moving in to our current building, we were approached by a small church in Alvarado, MN, which requested our help.  We ended up sending a small team to Alvarado,MN to lead this church.  They quickly outgrew their facility and in 2007, Harvest Church purchased and renovated "The Old Opera House" in neighboring Warren, MN and is thriving in their new home. 

After much prayer, in the summer of 2014, we began the process of planting a new church in Fargo, ND called Submerge Church, which has started meeting on Sunday mornings the following fall.

more churches.

Our desire is to continue to fulfill the Great Commission by planting more churches in the near future.  The vision we are pursuing is to plant 10 churches in 10 cities in 10 years!