Summer Sowing in Valley Junction

A Downtown Community Group passed out over 3,000 tracts, 2,000 water bottles, and 1,000 sunglasses this summer at the Valley Junction Farmers Market. 

Every Thursday night, Greg Baker’s Downtown Community Group could be found at the Valley Junction Farmers Market. Partnering with the city of West Des Moines and the Valley Junction Foundation, the group volunteered by picking up trash in exchange for a booth. This summer marks the third year they have volunteered. 

Throughout the summer, they gave out over 3,000 Gospel tracts, 2,000 bottles of water, and 1,000 Walnut Creek sunglasses, in addition to Bibles and invitations to church. The booth space allowed the group to form relationships with people at the market, West Des Moines officials, and fellow vendors. 

Their prayer throughout the summer was to see the Gospel sown and people reached. God answered their prayers. One of their first weeks, they met Marci, who had just moved to Des Moines with her son. The group was then able to help her son move into Des Moines University and introduce them to Walnut Creek Downtown. 

The group also reconnected with Stephen, a young man who they had met and shared the Gospel with a few years earlier. “It turned out one year later he was saved. He is only 16 but well read in the Bible and has a heart to reach the lost,” Greg said. “For the last two weeks at the market, Steven joined us at our booth and went out sharing the Gospel with us.”

Whenever the group had enough volunteers to clean up with trash and be at the booth, people would then go out into the crowd and engage in conversations about Jesus. “The Gospel was sown with many soft hearts this summer,” Greg said. 

Prayers for favor with the city were also answered. Each week different city officials and volunteers would thank them and show appreciation for their work. Greg says they initially planned to work the market through July, but with so much fruit seen and so many relationships formed, they have extended their time to August and possibly September. 

“We will continue to clean up trash, and sow and water God's Word. We look forward to seeing what God makes grow,” Greg said. 

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By Jackie Wallentin and Greg Baker  

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights and Downtown  

Over $50,000 Raised for Adoption Through Mustaches That Matter

146 men grew out their mustaches to raise over $50,000 for adoption in three weeks. 

After three weeks of intense facial hair competition, over $50,000 has been raised through Mustaches That Matter to help families bring children home.

Mustaches That Matter is committed to partnering with families in the adoption process to help complete their financial needs. 146 men mustered up the courage to grow out their mustaches, and together, they raised $50,000, meeting our 2015 goal. 

The men passed out business cards and engaged in conversations throughout the month to ask family, friends, and coworkers to financially sponsor their mustaches. Mustaches That Matter t-shirts were also sold at weekend services to raise even more support. Caleb Thompson of Walnut Creek Downtown won the Most Valuable Mustache award for raising $3,235.

With the funds raised last year, Mustaches That Matter was able to help 15 families adopt 17 children internationally and domestically. Families applied for assistance, and throughout the last few months, the Mustaches That Matter board met with the families and determine the assistance amount. 

All people are created equal in God’s image, and God is passionate about His children. Mustaches That Matter is a response to God’s call to care for orphans as we desire to align our heart with His.

2,000 Shoebox Gifts Packed During Christmas in July

Christmas in July participants stopped by several stations as they packed boxes.

Hundreds of people from Walnut Creek Church and the Des Moines community gathered together at Walnut Creek Downtown on July 31 to pack 2,000 shoeboxes with gifts for children in impoverished and war-torn countries. All 2,000 boxes were packed in just over two hours.

For the fifth year in a row, Walnut Creek Church partnered with Operation Christmas Child (OCC), a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, to host the Christmas in July packing party. For the second year in row, the gift-filled shoeboxes are being sent to special-access countries, which are resistant to the Gospel and OCC’s efforts. The goal is for the boxes to make a way for the Gospel to get to children who would have little to no access to it otherwise.

The event also raised almost $2,000 for OCC through donations and proceeds from a dinner that was served. When combined with previous fundraising efforts – and an anonymous donation of $7,000 – a total of nearly $12,000 has been raised so far to help cover the cost of shipping the boxes overseas.

New this year, the event featured guest speaker Timur Nesbitt, who received an OCC shoebox – the first gift he had ever been given – as a 13-year-old boy living in an orphanage in Central Asia. Inside the shoebox was a yo-yo, Tootsie Roll candy, school supplies, socks, toothpaste and a letter and photo from a boy in Texas who had packed the box.

“Through the shoebox, I felt loved,” Timur said. “Someone took the time to put in those items that became my favorites. I wondered a lot how Christians who didn’t know me were willing to give me a gift.”

Three years later, Timur was adopted by an American missionary family from Iowa. He learned about OCC and excitedly told them he had received a shoebox gift. Timur plans to return to his home country one day to bring the message of God’s healing love to others who are hurting.

Samaritan’s Purse is an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has hand-delivered more than 100 million gift-filled shoeboxes to needy children in more than 130 countries. To learn more about Operation Christmas Child, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ/.

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By Tim Laehn 

Walnut Creek Downtown 

Vacation Bible School 2015: Camp Kilimanjaro

Over 180 kids "climbed" to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro this week during Vacation Bible School. The safari theme, Camp Kilimanjaro, brought the trekkers on an epic adventure through the Book of Proverbs as they learned that true wisdom comes only from the one true God.

Each night the kids, ranging from pre-kindergarten through 6th grade, rotated through stations including music, craft, game, Bible lesson, and snack time. Each activity reinforced the key verse and lesson for the day:

Day 1: Ears that hear and obey the Word of God
Day 2: Hearts that trust in the Lord
Day 3: Tongues that are tame
Day 4: Hands that get to work
Day 5: Feet that walk with the wise

Vacation Bible School was hosted at Walnut Creek Windsor Heights for all locations of Walnut Creek.

Trekkers learned five important lessons from the Book of Proverbs as they journeyed through Camp Kilimanjaro.

The closing ceremony each night included scenes from the safari drama, which told the story of a news team who traveled to a resort in Africa. As the team investigated signs of a Big Foot sighting, they learned about the wisdom of God and how to walk with the wise. The drama provided a fun way to reinforce the lesson learned each day and show practical ways to obey the key Bible verses from the week.

Each closing ceremony reinforced the key Bible lessons from the week as the drama followed a news team who learned about God's wisdom and walking with the wise. 

Vacation Bible School was hosted at Walnut Creek Windsor Heights from Sunday through Thursday evening. Over 135 different volunteers and parents helped throughout the week with the drama, game, music, and snack time, and leading as guides for the different age groups.

For more Camp Kilimanjaro resources, visit answersingenesis.org.

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By Jackie Wallentin  

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights

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.

Mustaches That Matter: Growing Season Begins June 28

Growing season begins June 28. 

Mustaches That Matters begins June 28, kick-starting three weeks of facial hair competition to raise our base goal of $50,000 for adoption.

Although the United States is the leading adopting country, international adoption has dropped nearly 50 percent since 2004. Mustaches That Matter leverages the power of mustaches to help families in the adoption process cross their financial finish line. All funds raised go toward our adoption assistance fund to support multiple families each year adopting internationally or domestically.

Last summer 206 men helped us raise over $76,000, more than three times our initial goal of $25,000. With the money raised, Mustaches That Matter financially supported 15 families in the adoption process. All people are created equal in God’s image. God is passionate about His children and so are we. Mustaches That Matter is a response to God’s call to care for orphans as we desire to align our heart with His.

You can join the cause in two ways: by growing your own mustache and raising support as you grow, or by financially sponsoring someone else's mustache. Each man participating is responsible for inviting friends, relatives, and coworkers to vote and financially sponsor his mustache. Once men reach their fundraising goal, they can shave.