Immanuel Means "God with us"

We all know what it's like to feel alone, to feel misunderstood, uncared for, and unsupported. We know that feeling - and we despise it. 


God despises it, too. Our church's name reflects God's answer to the deeper spiritual problems behind feeling alone and abandoned. The Old Testament prophesied that Jesus would be called "Immanuel," meaning "God with us." This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus, true God, took on human flesh to become true man and walk among us.


Even more amazing is what He did to be with us eternally. Jesus came to earth and experienced loneliness, abandonment, and hatred, yet he was without sin. He died on the cross to reconcile us to God. He rose and ascended into heaven, proving His power over all things and assuring us that He is with us, guiding and protecting us always.


This amazing Savior is at the center of everything we do at Immanuel.

Pastor Matt Swanson

Pastor Matt Swanson is 2021 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Pastor Swanson enjoys playing, watching and coaching sports, especially soccer and basketball. But even more than any of that, he enjoys sharing what Jesus has done for all. 


Before attending WLS , Pastor Swanson attended Martin Luther College, where he met his wife Kaylee, who teaches here at Immanuel. They were married in 2017.


Kaylee and I are blessed to call Oregon home! I would love the opportunity to connect and share God's Word with you. You can find me at Immanuel on Sunday mornings, but I'd be happy to meet just about anywhere for a coffee and a conversation! - Pastor Swanson

What we Believe

The following statements are short summaries of what our church teaches. For a more thorough explanation, check out this link from our synod.

  • We believe there is only one true God. In the Bible, God reveals himself as Triune - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • We believe that the Bible is God's Word. It is true and without error.

  • We believe that in six days, God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them.

  • We believe that God created all people, that he loves all people, and that he wants all people to be saved

  • We believe that Adam and Eve brought sin into the world. Since then, all people are by nature dead in sin, separated from God, and unable to repair our relationship with him.

  • We believe that the gospel is the good news that God sent Jesus to take away the sins of all people. Because of him, sins are fully and freely forgiven.

  • We believe that Jesus is truly God. He became fully human, he suffered, and he died on the cross to pay for our sins. Three days later, he rose from the grave to declare that God has truly accepted the payment he made for all people.

  • We believe that eternal life and forgiveness belong to us right now because of what Jesus has done. There's nothing we can add or take away from Jesus' resurrection. Our salvation is fully paid for by Jesus alone.

  • We believe that salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life are recieved only through faith. This faith cannot come by our own thinking, choosing, or decision.

  • We believe that the Holy Spirit creates faith in hearts using the gospel. God brings the gospel to us in his Word and by attaching his Word to physical elements in Baptism and in Holy Communion

  • We believe that we become God's children through baptism. Because God has attached his promises to water, he uses baptism to create and strengthen faith.

  • We believe that God delivers forgiveness of sins and assurance of his love in Holy Communion (also called the Lord's Supper).

  • We believe there is one holy, Christian church, made up of all who believe in Jesus.