Freedom Christian Center was established in May of 2000 by Pastors Tony and Christi Swillum. Tony and Christi met in high school and after dating for four years were married on May 28, 1988. They have four children, Stephen who attends Evangel University on a football scholarship, Courtney who will be attending Ron Luce’s Honor Academy Bible College and School of Worship in the fall, Dominic who is in High School and loves horses, hunting and fishing, and Carley the youngest who loves horses and the church’s ministry.
Tony and Christi have been in full-time ministry for over 17 years ministering to children, youth, adults and also pastored an inner-city church for over 4 years located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Tony is a graduate of Berean Bible College; he served as an Assembly of God Licensed Youth Pastor and Senior Pastor for 10 years and is currently ordained with the Independent Assemblies.
Tony and Christi credit their success in ministry to being raised by parents who found Jesus and made Him the Lord of their lives and have passed a heritage of faith on to them both. Tony and Christi also credit the Pastor’s they have worked for as youth pastors for the many hours of teaching, training and love that was given to them.
- Pastor Keith Butler of Berryville, Arkansas who taught Tony the importance of consistency while showing great patience for a rookie youth pastor.
- Pastor Don Hutchings of Fort Smith, Arkansas who taught Tony how to work hard and how to keep your passion for the lost.
- Pastor Mark Shorey of Del City, Oklahoma who allowed Tony to be a visionary, take risks and was always a class act.
- And finally, Tony’s spiritual father, Pastor Wayne Neal of Marshfield, Missouri. Pastor Neal taught Tony the importance of prayer, fasting and the Power of the Holy Spirit.
As you experience the ministry of Freedom Christian Center you will see a reflection of all of Tony and Christi’s past ministries. You will find a church that is consistently moving forward. A church that works really hard at winning souls and restoring the broken and hurting. A church with a “Vision”, and finally, a church that prays, fasts and moves in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Tony and Christi would like to invite you to come and worship with the family of Freedom Christian Center. A place where the hurting are welcome and God is Glorified!