Our History

Founding Pastor Jon Hauser and his wife, Teri, knew God had given them a vision to start a different kind of church for Fargo-Moorhead: a guest-friendly church that would invite, welcome, and engage all people regardless of their spiritual, economic, educational or life background, a relevant church that would speak the language of our community, an entrepreneurial church willing to make changes and try new things to fulfill the mission Christ gave His church “to go and make disciples”, a life-giving church where there is a high sense of anticipation, passion, and joy.

Jon spent the last six months of 1999 writing an “Action Plan” describing what Prairie Heights was about, what it would look like and a roadmap for the first three years.

• On March 24, 2000; Jon, Teri and Nate Hauser moved from Blaine, MN to Fargo, ND.  Jon resigned from his career as an electrical engineer and gave his full-time energy to start Prairie Heights.  Nine other adults were interested in knowing how they could help launch this new church.
• The 12 months prior to the grand opening were filled with prayer, preparation and excitement to see what God was going to do in our midst.  The launch team grew to 25 adults during this time.

• On April 1, 2001, Prairie Heights held its Grand Opening service at the Doublewood Inn in Fargo with 207 in attendance.  During this first year 120 people attended on an average Sunday.  Throughout these early years, many people prayed every week for 5 first-time guests to attend on Sunday and God answered that prayer 95% of the time!  Lives were being changed, journeys with Christ were beginning for some and journeys were being strengthened and advanced for others.
• One of the many highlights from 2001 was our first annual worship service at the Red River Zoo.  Some interesting critters came to service, our worship band played some great music, we had a potluck dinner following the service, and carousel rides for all!

• During 2001 and 2002, we focused on SERVING and meeting others in our community.  We held free car washes, offered free gift-wrapping at a local store, had brat/hot dog stands, and vacuumed out people’s cars to name a few.
• In November we participated in the Merry Prairie Lights Parade in downtown Fargo.  The Prairie Heights kids, decorated as reindeer, rode on the float playing Christmas songs with their bells.  The kids won the award for “Best Use of Music” and were so excited at the trophy they received.

• In February 2003, Prairie Heights held its first Baptismal service.  7 people were baptized that day.

• Higher Hoops basketball camp was born.  Kids and parents love participating.  This basketball camp is designed to teach kids in 1^st thru 5^th grade the basics of basketball plus teach them how to be a team player, work together, and love and serve God thru all parts of our lives.  Over 1,000 children have participated.
• PHCC put serving in action in a big way.  We decided to build a church building for someone else before considering building something for ourselves so we went to Guatemala.  In July 2004, 12 people from Prairie Heights “traveled” to Guatemala but hundreds “went” to help construct two churches, paint a grade school, and hand out clothes and school supplies.  Over $30,000 was invested to serve people in Guatemala.

• Prairie Heights has held Sunday services in 13 locations: Fargodome, Doublewood Inn, Holiday Inn, Courtyard by Marriot, Avalon Events Center, FM Community Theatre, Sports Bubble, Red River Zoo, Hjemkomst Center, Air Museum, Extreme Screen at Century 10, Lindenwood Park, and Rheault Farm.  We have learned that a church isn’t a building but people.  We also have learned to be flexible and adaptable and sense God’s presence in a variety of circumstances.

• In October at Trunk-n-Treat, 1,200 children came “thru the line” of cars in the Kohl’s parking lot.  Parents came with their children and enjoyed 100’s of different candies, mugs, hot apple cider, popcorn and donuts.  Mascots from NDSU, Chuck E. Cheese, MSUM, and the Redhawks came and had fun with the kids of all ages.

• Moving to the FargoDome!  We ran out of room at the Doublewood Inn with children’s classes spread out throughout the hotel and every possible room in use and very full.  We prayed and looked and were not sure what to do.  Someone suggested the Fargodome and we looked into it.  The additional cost and the additional volunteers needed seemed overwhelming.  But, God invited us to take a giant leap of faith.  We did and the Fargodome has been an incredible blessing and partnership.
• In October we had our first annual “Don’t Go To Church…Be The Church”.  The purpose of (DGTC…BTC) is for us to come together and serve our community.  We do it on a Sunday morning for our worship time together.  For our first DGTC…BTC we partnered with River Keepers of Fargo-Moorhead and helped clear out a section of park along the Red River.  Also, parents with small children made cards and went to a nursing home and spent time with the residents.
• In 2007 we averaged 300 people in Sunday morning worship for the first time in our history!

• In February, Prairie Heights hired a full-time Associate Pastor.   Pastor Dan Braaten, his wife Debbie, and his children Ashley and Alexis, moved to Fargo from Lee’s Summit, MO.   Pastor Dan is coordinating Life Groups, Connections and Care.
• In October, our second annual Don’t Go To Church…Be The Church brought us in partnership with Special Olympics.  PHCC had the honor of helping and cheering on the Special Olympians as they bowled in a tournament.  We also had a group of Prairie Heighters that made fleece blankets and each Special Olympian was given a blanket.

• In March, Prairie Heights purchased a miracle 31.1 acre piece of property for our future campus.  This property is on 32^nd ave south in the middle of the fastest growing areas in the upper Midwest with convenient access to I-94 and I-29.
• In April Pastor Jon challenged us to Crank It Up!   Together with God…Everyone involved…the Miracle will happen! (To learn more about Crank It Up! go to that section of the website.)
• In May, we hired a full time Children’s Pastor.  Pastor Dustin Anderson and his wife, Amy move to Fargo from the Minneapolis area.  Pastor Dustin is coordinating children’s ministry birth through 5^th grade.
• In October, our third annual Don’t Go To Church…Be The Church Sunday gave us an opportunity to be a part of the Special Olympics bowling tournament again.  The excitement on the bowlers’ faces is something we will never forget.
• Our weekly average for worship service attendance for 2009 was 379.

• In January, Prairie Heights added a second Sunday morning service.  500 additional seats have been opened up for everyone to invite their friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, or fellow students.
• Preliminary Plans for a Ministry Center to be built on the Prairie Heights property are coming together!  God is going to do some amazing things!