Our AFLC story

By Solveig Hjermstad

October 1962 was a memorable month. The Cuban Missile Crisis initiated many conversations and prayers. Before the end of the month, Soviet ships were heading home and were dismantling their missiles. I was proud to be an American and thankful for God’s protection. I also have memories of other discussions in my home. My dad, an American Lutheran Church (ALC) pastor, attended the Thief River Falls, Minn., conference that last week of October as an observer. Little did I know how our family would be affected by what that group of Lutheran Free Church members set into motion.

Whether in the home or at church, biblical inerrancy, the virgin birth, and the World Council of Churches were among the discussion topics. My dad, Pastor Ray Larson, was becoming increasingly alarmed at the number of Lutherans questioning God’s inspired and inerrant Word. However, he was encouraged by the spirit and vision he observed in Thief River Falls. This conference was different. Prayer was a priority. The attendees were unified in the desire to be faithful to God’s Word. Plans were made for free and living congregations working together in an organization which was later called the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations.

Since my memory is limited and my parents have moved on to their eternal home, I visited with someone who remembers being there. Carol Haugen and her husband Albin, drove to Thief River Falls from McVille, N.D.

“We were just a young family,” recalled Carol, now of Fargo, N.D. “We were so amazed with the good turnout. One thing that stands out to me is the unity we had. We knew we were there to preserve our Lutheran heritage and to be faithful to God’s Word. We also realized a number one priority was to start a seminary.”

Carol continued, “Our confidence was in our Lord. Though we’ve experienced failures through the years, God has blessed us.”

As for my family, my dad continued to encourage individuals and congregations to understand the importance of standing firmly on the inerrant Word. After joining the AFLC in the early 1970s, he often said he had never felt so free. My married life was spent in AFLC parsonages and now some of my grandchildren are growing up in AFLC parsonages. That conference in October 60 years ago set in motion the AFLC story. But more significantly, it testifies of God’s faithfulness and grace.

Solveig Hjermstad, who served as the assistant to the editor of The Lutheran Ambassador until 2001, is a member of Solid Rock Free Lutheran, Anoka, Minn.