Our church is the outgrowth of a vision the Lord gave to his

servant Frederick Franson back in the nineteenth century.

Franson was born in Sweden on June 17, 1852. He grew up

in a Christian environment and his family immigrated to

Nebraska, USA, in 1869. At the age of 20 he was converted

after reading Romans 10:6-7 and was later baptized in the

Swedish Baptist Church.

In America he worked as a

counselor during the outreach

services of D.L. Moody and

later became a member of

Moody's Church in Chicago. By

the age of 23 he was involved

in missionary work among the

Swedish speaking communities

in Minnesota.

Franson went back to his

homeland in 1881 and spent

nine years in Scandinavia

preaching the gospel. His work

led to the birth of the

Scandinavian Alliance Mission (SAM) in which several church

formed an alliance to send missionaries around the world,

including China. When he returned to the US in 1890 The

Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) was founded. Franson's life's motto was "Forward Till Upward."

In early 1920 TEAM missionaries focused their attention on

Venezuela and Colombia. When their visas needed to be

renewed they would go to Aruba or Curacao to wait for the

necessary permits. It was during these visits that the need for

reaching the islands was sensed.

G.A. Holmberg and his wife were appointed to minister in

Aruba while awaiting their visas for Venezuela. Once their

visas were issued they were replaced by Paul Sheetz and his

wife Sharlotte in 1943. The preaching ministry of Paul Sheetz

brought many to faith in Jesus Christ and in 1955 the

Evangelical Alliance Church of Oranjestad was fonded. Other

TEAM missionaries who served on the island of Aruba were,

among others, Bruce Bromley, Robert McClain, Betty

Ratzslaff and, Lillian Mikkelson. TEAM was instrumental in

establishing a radio station in Aruba, Radio Victoria, and

translating the complete Bible into Papiamento, the local

language.

Rev. Edgar Martens was sent to Aruba as director of constructions and in 1970 a church was founded in the English speaking community of San Nicolas in Aruba. Thus, Evangelical Church of San Nicolas was born. Later Lester Morris replaced Rev. Martens. Those who have served as pastors in the Evangelical Church of San Nicolas were Edgar Martens (Canada), Lester Morris (Canada), Anthony Green (Aruba), Fernando Eights (Aruba), Carlos van Langeveld (Curacao), Ron Johnson (USA), Phil Holiday (Canada), Delbert Denny (USA), Michael Scolare (USA) and, Norman Browne (Aruba).