Walnut Creek Windsor Heights Throws Community Super Bowl Potluck Party

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights hosted a Super Bowl party as a unique opportunity to unite members from across congregations and invite people in to enjoy community and a meal together.

“This party was a great opportunity to fellowship across services and locations, and reach out with your kids,” said Jessica White of Walnut Creek Windsor Heights.

The focus wasn’t only on the game. Instead of watching the Superbowl halftime show, Pastor Terry Amann introduced a video produced by the Seattle Seahawks called, “The Making of a Champion.” In the video, numerous Seahawk players and coaches share their testimonies and the gospel in a clear way.

Jessica said her favorite part of the party was its goal, to reach out to people together: “The party offered a door to meet new people who might not come to church for any other reason,” Jessica said. “You tell people there’s food and football, and they’re interested.”

While most of the kids spent the evening jumping in the castle-themed bounce house, Superbowl fans gathered around the full food tables throughout the game. Guests were asked to bring a side to share, and Jon Touchette of Walnut Creek Windsor Heights was encouraged by everyone’s willingness to contribute. He made his own crowd favorite, fried spinach.

“We were concerned about not having enough food, but as always, we had more than enough,” Jon said. “It was a cool reminder of the generosity of people. People always want to come together to help with events like this.”

To watch the video, visit makingofachampion.org.

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By Jackie Wallentin
Walnut Creek Windsor Heights

“How to Change the World” Message Series Begins

How to Change the World study guide

A new message series – “How to Change the World” – began at Walnut Creek’s Downtown and South congregations on January 25. The 13-week series based on the book of Acts will continue through April 20, and we invite you to join us.

“The question we’re going to answer throughout this series is: How can I be part of changing the world? How can I join God in his plan to impact the world?” Pastor Dan Rude said in the first message of the series. “In the book of Acts, God lays out his plan for the church. We see a pattern, we see principles, for investing our life.”

One of the series’ primary passages is Acts 2:41-47, which describes the incredible community experienced by the generous and growing Acts church. Over the course of the next 13 weeks, we will take an in-depth look at the early church, the substance of their community, and how God uses discipleship to transform the world by the Gospel. To download a free "How to Change the World" study guide, click here.

At Walnut Creek, community groups continue to be the heartbeat of our church. With nearly 50 groups meeting at homes throughout the city for bible study and fellowship, community groups offer an opportunity to live out the example set by the early church. As part of the kickoff of the new message series, cards with prayer requests for our community groups were given out at church. Each week there will be a new list and a different area of emphasis. Here is this week's list:

• That each believer would be encouraged and grow in their relationship with the Lord (Ephesians 4:11-16)
• That we would have genuine friendships as we grow and pursue the Lord together (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
• That God would raise up more leaders (Mark 10:42-45)
• That God would raise up more laborers (Matthew 9:35-38)
• That our community groups would grow and multiply (Acts 2:47)
• That our community groups would be united (John 17:21)

Acts 2:41-47
So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.  And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.

Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

Annual Christmas Card Outreach featured on WHO-TV 13

Walnut Creek Church members Erin Youngblood & Kelly Crane were recently interviewed by Des Moines' local NBC affiliate regarding their annual Christmas Card Outreach efforts.

Gift cards to local restaurants are included in Christmas cards and distributed to people in need. Each recipient receives a handwritten card, a warm meal, and a Gospel tract explaining God's incredible gift to them.

Walnut Creek Church Shares Christmas Joy With the World

Volunteers from Walnut Creek Church load gift-filled shoeboxes to deliver them to the Des Moines area collection Center.

This year, the members of Walnut Creek Church packed 687 Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoeboxes. A total of 24,128 gift-filled shoeboxes, including the ones from Walnut Creek, were recently loaded onto trucks and taken to the Midwest distribution center in Minneapolis.

OCC, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, works with local churches and ministry partners to deliver the gifts and share the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ with children in impoverished and war-torn countries. Since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in more than 130 countries have experienced God’s love through the power of simple shoebox gifts.

“It’s so much more than a shoebox,” said Kelly Hill, who helped coordinate OCC efforts at Walnut Creek and also volunteers on the Des Moines area OCC team. “It’s a great way to get the gospel of Christ out. There are so many kids who need Christ, and a lot of them have never even heard of God. This is a way to introduce them to gospel and serve them at the same time.”

The 687 boxes were packed with the help of many volunteers and events. Starting back in July, the annual “Christmas in July” packing party at the Downtown congregation brought in more than 300 boxes. An annual vendor fair fundraiser at Walnut Creek coordinated by Kelly Hill and Emmie Hawk brought in another 70 boxes and more than $1,500 in funds. The rest of the boxes were packed by individuals from all of Walnut Creek’s congregations.

To learn more about OCC, go to www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/.

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.

Couples Sync Up

Couples listen to Chris Hogan speak at Walnut Creek Downtown

Couples from Walnut Creek Church gathered October 11 and 12 for Walnut Creek’s annual Couple’s Conference. With a theme of “Syncing Up,” this year’s conference featured speaker Chris Hogan, a marriage coach and president of Noble Call Institute. With a mix of personal stories and practical, biblical teaching, Hogan focused on how to connect to your spouse through a variety of conversation tools.

“I learned ways to go deeper in conversation,” said Rod Van Raden of Walnut Creek Windsor Heights. “After 30 plus years of marriage and attending countless conferences, I still take away something new every time.”

Learning something new isn’t the only thing that keeps Rod and his wife, Theresa, coming back to the Couple’s Conference every year. “When we had little kids, it was a chance to get away, just the two of us,” Theresa said. “It lets your spouse know this marriage is important to me and I’m going to invest time in it.”

Rod said his favorite part of the conference was the closing, when Hogan shared from his heart some stories about his own church family. “It reminded me of the importance of investing in your church family for the long term,” Rod said. “There are couples in the church we’ve known more than 20 years – I know they would be there for us.”

Noble Call Institute's mission is “to help men and women experience God’s pleasure as they discover their noble calling and become the men and women they were created to be: Noble men and women who make noble plans and carry out noble deeds of great faith as a person, partner, parent, provider and proclaimer of truth, to produce fruit that will stand the test of eternity.”