23 New Deacons Recognized at Celebration Sunday

Walnut Creek recognized 23 men and women as new deacons during Celebration Sunday on June 28.

During this year’s Celebration Sunday service on June 28, Walnut Creek Church recognized 23 new deacons in addition to four pastors to help meet the needs of the growing church. The pastors of Walnut Creek Church and the congregation have observed and approved the following men and women as deacons, having demonstrated proven character and service to the body of Christ.

Deacons

Twenty-three men and women joined 27 other men and women currently serving as Walnut Creek Church deacons:

Downtown
Laura Brill – Laura began attending Walnut Creek in the fall of 2004 after being invited by members of Campus Fellowship at Drake University. Through the influence of other believers and God’s grace, she began to follow the Lord. Laura teaches music in Southeast Polk Community Schools. She began serving regularly on a worship team as part of the Walnut Creek West church plant. Laura currently attends the 5pm service.

Brandon Johnson – Brandon began attending Walnut Creek with the start of the Downtown location in 2006. He made a decision to follow Christ in 1987 after a sermon on the result of sin without Christ. Brandon works as a real estate agent in the Des Moines area. He and his wife, Ashley, have been working with the Karenni refugees for the last 1.5 years. They have two children: Avery and “Drewie” (Andrew).

Kyle Kurtenbach – Kyle became a Christian in April 2003 and started attending Walnut Creek Church in early 2006. Kyle has been with the Downtown location since it started, and he currently serves at the 10am service. Kyle is a Community Group leader and is involved in Walnut Creek’s soccer and basketball ministries. Since 2005, Kyle has worked at Wells Fargo in accounting and finance roles. Kyle will be married to his fiancé, Keli, and become a stepdad to her daughter, Hanah, in August.

Mike Lock – God has led Michael and his wife, Jenessa, to focus the last 4 years on ministering within (Burmese) refugee populations in Des Moines, specifically with Karen and Karenni people. The Karenni Christian Fellowship is one of the first Karenni Christian churches in the United States. Michael and Jenessa are both optometrists at Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines and have 5 boys. They’ve been with Walnut Creek since 2012 and attend the 10am service along with the Karen families.

Dan McGuire – Dan started attending Walnut Creek in 2007. He serves as a Community Group leader and worship band coordinator for Walnut Creek Downtown. He has been married to Melissa for five years, and they have two daughters: Layla and Kenzie.

Kayla Waters – Kayla began trusting Christ for salvation in 2004 at the University of Northern Iowa. In 2008 she moved to Des Moines and currently works at Nationwide Insurance. Kayla has been a member of Walnut Creek Downtown since 2008 and attends the 5pm service.

Johnston
Dave Andorf – Dave began attending Walnut Creek Church through Friday night discussion groups. In 1985 he gave his life to Christ, the first person in the Des Moines church plant to become a Christian. Dave and his wife, Cindy, have three grown children who are all following Christ and serving Him at Walnut Creek South and Downtown. Dave is a small group leader at the Johnston location and works for a contracted security firm at Principal Financial.

Bryan Kammerer – Bryan started attending Walnut Creek Church in 2000 and became a Christian in 2001. He is a part of the Johnston congregation and has served in several ministries. Bryan also serves as a Community Group leader. He and his wife, Lindsay, have five children.

Duane Laugerman – Duane and his family moved to Des Moines in 2004 with the purpose of joining Walnut Creek Church. Duane thanks the Lord every day for this church and the continual blessing it has been. Duane and his wife, Jolene, have four children: Joanna, Janelle, Andrew, and Alex. Duane owns his own contracting business in Grimes.

Windsor Heights 
Rachel Bohacek – Rachel became a Christian in elementary school but really started living for the Lord her freshman year at Drake (2005) when she started to attend Walnut Creek Church. Rachel knew she’d found a great community of Christian men and women who would encourage her in the faith and love for the Lord so she decided to stay in Des Moines after graduation. Since 2009, Rachel has worked at Principal Financial Group as an accountant.

Collin Cameron – Collin gave his life to the Lord during the Faithwalkers conference in 2007 as a freshman at Drake University. He became involved in Drake’s Campus Fellowship ministry where he met his wife, Jen. He serves as a Community Group leader and works as a pharmacist. Collin and Jen are expecting an addition to their family this September.

Cameron Green – Cameron experienced the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ in 2003. With his wife, Jamie, and their children, they relocated back to Des Moines and began attending Walnut Creek Church in 2010. Being blessed with four children, Benjamin, Kate, May, and Beau, the Green family serves alongside the church in a Community Group, AWANA, and simply “locking arms” with brothers and sisters in Christ for the sake of the Lord’s Kingdom.

John Michael Hall – John Michael is originally from Moultrie, Georgia and has lived in Des Moines for 8 years. In 2011 he married Rachael who also graduated from Drake University. Their daughter, Lydia, is two and is excited to welcome “Baby Sister” in July. He has served as a Community Group leader at Windsor Heights for several years. John Michael helps individuals and families with investments, insurance, and retirement planning.

Melissa Holle – Melissa began going to Walnut Creek in 2009, shortly after becoming a Christian during college. After finishing her four years at Drake University, Melissa joined the Central City Bible Study. She has been involved with Youth For Christ as a middle and high school Bible Study Leader as well as a soccer coach. Since 2013, Melissa has worked for Nationwide Insurance. She currently attends the 11am and Shalom services.

Justin Hummel – Justin began attending Walnut Creek in 2010, where he fully committed himself to following the Lord. Justin graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and now works for John Deere. He and his wife, Alicia, were married in 2014, and they attend the 9:30am service where Justin is a Community Group leader.

Chris Meyer – Chris Meyer, son of Brad and Brita Meyer, has been a lifelong member of Walnut Creek Church. Chris has been actively involved in music ministry since high school and still leads worship on Sunday mornings at Walnut Creek Windsor Heights. Chris and his wife, MaryBeth, have two children, Addison and Owen. Chris leads a Community Group in their home each week.

Cole Meyers – Cole became a Christian in 2006 when he was a student at Drake University and began attending Walnut Creek Church soon after. He is currently a teacher and instructional coach at Harding Middle School in Des Moines. He and his wife, Dayna, have a 13-month- old son named Westin. They both work closely with Youth for Christ to reach central-city teenagers with the Gospel.

Loren Pavel – Loren began attending Walnut Creek in the fall of 2008 as a Drake University student. At Drake, she gave her life to the Lord and was involved with Campus Fellowship for 4 years. After graduation she worked for Walnut Creek as the Office Manager for 3.5 years before taking a job at Principal. She serves as a young adult leader with Parent Teen Ministry and is involved in a Young Adult Community Group.

Jonathon Rector – Jonathan began attending Walnut Creek Church in 2005 as a freshman at Drake University. He came to know Christ as his savior that same year through Campus Fellowship. He and his wife, Emily, attend the 9:30am service where he serves as a Community Group leader. Jonathon works as a CPA for Hamilton Juffer.

Jason Rude – Jason has been a regular attender of Walnut Creek since 1987. He attended Drake University where he became very active in Campus Fellowship. After graduating in 2009, Jason starting serving with the Young Adult Community Groups in Windsor Heights. He married Amanda in 2011 and together they have two children, Max and Gwenyth (and a third due this November)! For the past 5 years, he has worked as a real estate agent in Des Moines. Recently, Jason has coached Upward, and he currently leads a Community Group.

Bob Sheely – Bob has been attending Walnut Creek Church for about 23 years. Bob’s wife, Carol, was part of the team who planted Walnut Creek in 1985. Bob is a Community Group leader and has served as an Awana leader for 13 years. Bob was also involved with the Parent Teen Ministry for 7 years. Bob works as a transportation manager at Marzetti.

Jacob Van Sickle – Jacob grew up in a Christian family and became a Christian at a young age. When he transferred to Drake in the spring of 2008 God really grabbed ahold of his life as he got involved with Campus Fellowship and Walnut Creek Church. Jacob now serves as the Campus Ministry Director at Drake. Jacob and his wife, Sasha, are parents to Grace, Annabelle and, soon to come, Jack.

New Pastors Recognized at Celebration Sunday

Walnut Creek pastors pray over the four new ordained pastors and their families at Celebration Sunday on June 28.

During this year’s Celebration Sunday on June 28, Walnut Creek Church recognized four new pastors to help meet the needs of the growing church.

Pastors 

Greg Altmaier, Jon Crane, Tim Greeno, and Steve Rude were recognized as pastors, bringing the total number of Walnut Creek Church pastors up to 14.

Greg Altmaier – Greg became a believer on February 1, 2009 and has been calling Walnut Creek Church his church home since then. Originally from Iowa City, he has worked at Principal Financial Group as an accountant since 2008. Greg married Haley in 2011, and they have two girls, Harper and Willow. Greg enjoys spending time with family and friends, eating delicious foods, and engaging in physical activity. They serve at the Downtown location, where Greg is a Community Group leader.

Jon Crane – Jon Crane grew up in Walnut Creek Church as the son of pastor Bruce Crane and his wife Becky. Jon has been actively involved in the church’s college ministry since 2003 when he began attending Drake University. He went on staff with the church when he graduated in 2007 to help with college ministry and church planting. He serves at Walnut Creek South as a Community Group leader with his wife, Agatha, and their newborn son, Dawson.

Tim Greeno – Tim came to know Christ as his savior in 2005, as a sophomore at Drake University. That same year, he began attending Walnut Creek Church, where God began to transform his life and grip his heart with the gospel. Since that time, Tim has been involved with the Walnut Creek West church plant and AIB College ministry, and he now serves as a Community Group leader at Walnut Creek Downtown. Tim and his wife, Jenna, have three vivacious little children: Noah, Jeshua, and Kolbie.

Steve Rude – Although Steve has grown up in Walnut Creek Church from childhood, he really started following the Lord whole-heartedly toward the end of high school. At Drake University he continued to grow in his commitment to God’s Word and fellowship by being an integral part of the church’s first student group on campus. Following graduation, Steve devoted his next 8 years to helping begin and lead the campus ministries at Grand View and DMACC, as well as spending time on international mission trips. Steve works as an international student advisor at DMACC. Steve and his wife, Amber, have three children: Hudson, Mia and Elsie. They serve at the Downtown location where Steve is a Community Group leader.

Celebration Sunday: A Year in Review

Every year, all the congregations of Walnut Creek Church gather together for a special worship service called Celebration Sunday. Not only is the service a time to look back at everything God has done in and through Walnut Creek in the last year, it’s also a time to look to the future.

“As a church, it is important to take a step back from time to time to consider everything God has done,” Pastor Luke Hukee said during this year’s service on November 10. “Looking at where we’ve been helps us to have vision for where we are going.”

Here are a few highlights from 2013 that Pastor Luke presented at Celebration Sunday:

• All Walnut Creek congregations united under one name, logo, and brand.
• More than 1,000 children and their families participated in and heard the gospel through our Upward soccer, basketball and cheerleading leagues.
• For two weeks, 100 missionaries traveled to the Dominican Republic and shared the gospel with hundreds of people at a university campus and throughout the community. A bible study, which formed from our previous trips, is now training local leaders to serve on the campus.
• We had many opportunities to bless our community and other churches through Jordan Park Camp. The camp was host to many conferences and events, including the Regional Great Commission Men’s Conference, the Parent-Teen Leadership Conference, the Iowa Right to Life book sale, and the Jordan Park Volleyball League, which included more than 600 participants.
• During Mission to the City, more than 350 people across four locations served more than 70 local organizations and churches in an effort to obey Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
• Following Mission to the City, 2,000 people heard the Good News of the Gospel during the Leeland and City Harmonic Concert on our State Capitol lawn.
• Central City Soccer hosted its 10th season over the summer. More than 450 children on 34 teams were loved and served by 100 college students and young adults who volunteered their time, energy, and hearts. 
• This summer, we began concerted efforts to reach out to and serve refugees in our city. Volunteers provide weekly English classes at our Downtown location. Nearly 50 adults are now in their second session of classes while their children are taught bible stories and songs.
• In July, 100 people from our Windsor Heights and Shalom congregations joined in an effort to serve and bless our city through Community Care Weekend. Volunteers served local churches, area recreational facilities, and university students and administration.
• In September, the South Side congregation had its grand opening. The same weekend, the Downtown congregation began a third service, Saturdays at 5 p.m.
• This fall, in light of our increasing need for children’s ministries, a second edition of our AWANA Ministry began at our Downtown location with nearly 60 children. Our strong tradition of AWANA at Windsor Heights continues with 80 children and many volunteers. 
• In our continued effort to encourage and strengthen marriages, we hosted our annual Couple’s Conference. Over the course of two days, 100 couples invested in their marriages with biblical instruction from marriage coaches Chris and Ann Hogan.
• Just this past Friday, nearly 600 women gathered for the annual Women's Coffeehouse event to share in a time of encouragement, great food and fellowship.
• God has given us grace to continue outreach ministries at five local college campuses. The Gospel has been going forth, and young people are being discipled to love and serve God.  
• In addition to outreach events, our church has continued our commitment to prayer. We’ve joined together for prayer and fellowship through several all-church prayer summits.
• As has been our practice, our community groups are the heartbeat of our church. More than 45 community groups meet around the city each week. Each group provides an environment to form deep friendships and study the Word of God together.

This is just a glimpse at what the Lord has been doing in and through Walnut Creek Church in the last year. It’s so encouraging to remember the ways we’ve been involved in the advancement of God’s kingdom in Des Moines and beyond in one year’s time.

New Pastors and Deacons Recognized

Praying for new pastors Jon Schreiner and Bob Joy

During this year’s Celebration Sunday on November 10, Walnut Creek Church recognized two new pastors and four new deacons to help meet the needs of the growing church.

Pastors

Bob Joy and Jon Schreiner were recognized as pastors, bringing the total number of Walnut Creek Church pastors up to 10.

• Bob Joy – Bob and his wife of 31 years, Jo, have been part of Walnut Creek Church since the church was planted in 1984. Bob and Jo have six children. Bob oversees the finances at Walnut Creek and attends the Johnston congregation.
• Jon Schreiner – Jon began attending Walnut Creek Church in 2002 and served for several years as the college ministries director at Drake and Grand View. Jon and his wife, Jenny, have three children and serve at the South congregation.

Deacons

Four men joined 24 other men and women currently serving as Walnut Creek Church deacons.

• Steve Bjurstrom – Steve joined Walnut Creek Church in 2005. He leads worship at the Downtown congregation on Sunday mornings and is also a community group leader. Steve and his wife, Melissa, have two children.
• Ed Grotzinger – Ed began attending Walnut Creek Church in 2011 after being invited to the church during Mission to the City. He serves as a community group leader and attends the 5 p.m. Saturday service at the Downtown location.
• Tyler Johnson – Tyler has been attending Walnut Creek Church since 2007. He was part of the Walnut Creek South church plant and currently serves as a community group leader. Tyler and his wife, Chrissy, have on daughter.
• Oscar Gutierrez – Oscar and his wife, Enriqueta, have been faithfully serving with the Shalom congregation for eight years. They have two sons.