Walnut Creek Church Blog

Glitter, Tiaras, and Princesses–Oh My!

Over 170 girls danced the night away at Walnut Creek's first ever Daddy-Daughter Dance.
Photos by: Carrie Krupke

Walnut Creek's first ever Daddy-Daughter Dance was a night to remember for over 170 girls and their dads on Sunday evening at the Downtown location.

The girls entered the auditorium to applause and were then ushered to a candlelit table. Dads and daughters took their pick of an array of donated desserts. Then the girls could make their own tiara or friendship bracelet, get their face painted, or smile big in front of the camera at the photo booth. There was even a special appearance by seven Disney princesses, who took pictures with girls and had fun out on the dance floor.

Disney princesses made a special surprise appearance at the dance.

Megan Griffith, of Walnut Creek Downtown, was the visionary behind the event, planning and organizing the many details and volunteers. Megan's prayer was for girls to hear and see how loved they are not just by their earthly fathers but even more so by God.

"I loved the image of there being an opportunity to have something that really valued that special relationship between a father and daughter. It's the picture of how God loves us; it should be celebrated," said Megan. "I was overwhelmed by just how much people cared and wanted to make this successful. We more than doubled expected numbers and fully packed the house. It was a beautiful explosion of memories and special moments."

Each girl received a handwritten note and a flower.

Dads weren't the only ones dancing the night away with their girls. Grandpas and uncles joined in on the fun, too. Each girl received a handwritten note and a flower from their dad, grandpa, or uncle. Due to the high number of registrations at the door, volunteers ran to grab more flowers in the middle of the event to ensure each girl would leave with a special gift.

"I was really blessed by the night. My daughter had a great time seeing princesses, making a tiara, eating treats and dancing with me," said Pastor Luke Hukee. "It was a well done event. The girls were all really excited."

Carrie Krupke, of Walnut Creek Johnston, captured hundreds of smiles as the event photographer while her husband, Gerard, and their daughter, Adelaide, danced the night away.

"Adelaide's countenance changes when Daddy walks in the room, she laughs harder with him, freely gives him kisses and hugs more often. She literally lights up with him," said Carrie. "It is Adelaide's healthy and loving relationship with her earthly father that will help her bridge the gap of understanding about her Heavenly Father. It is critical that we cultivate that every chance we get."

Dads and daughters could make their own tiaras and friendship bracelets, too.

In her wallet, Carrie has a picture of her and her own dad, he in a suit and her in a formal gown, from a father-daughter dance her high school hosted. Carrie wants to thank Megan and the many volunteers who helped create similar memories for the girls on Sunday evening.

"I'm in awe of all the work that went into it so selflessly. The bulk of the volunteers do not have daughters, many were single. I love that there are people in our church body who recognize the vital importance of strengthening the relationship between daughters and their dads," said Carrie. "They saw an opportunity to serve a large part of our church families and did such a great job!"

You can view the full gallery of photos on the event's Facebook page.

By Jackie Wallentin

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights

Christmas Eve at Walnut Creek Church

Join us at one of our three Christmas Eve services. This year Walnut Creek Church will be hosting two services at our Downtown location and one at our Windsor Heights location:

Walnut Creek Church – Downtown

December 24 @ 4pm and 6pm

323 East Locust Street, Des Moines (Use South entrance on Walnut Street)

(515) 418-9994

Walnut Creek Church – Windsor Heights

December 24 @ 6pm

900 64th Street, Windsor Heights

(515) 418-9994

Awana Children's Choirs Perform "Star of Wonder," A Christmas Musical

The Awana Children's Choirs perform "Star of Wonder," on Sunday, December 13 at Walnut Creek Downtown.

The Awana Children's Choirs performed "Star Of Wonder," a Christmas musical of hope, on Sunday evening. The Downtown and Windsor Heights Awana locations joined together to perform, bringing about 125 children and their families to Walnut Creek Downtown for the Christmas Program.

Through scripture reading, songs, and dialogue, "Star Of Wonder" shares the story of the miraculous birth of Jesus. The cast of characters includes six different stars who are all awaiting the biggest announcement in history. Throughout the program, the stars discover that Jesus is the real star of Christmas.

The Cubbies perform a few songs before the musical begins. | Photo courtesy of Jill Udey

The Cubbies, children aged 3 to 4 years old, performed their songs first. Then the Sparks and Truth and Training groups took the stage to begin the musical. Some of the songs included "Hangin' Around The Heavens," "God Chooses Who He Uses," and "Big Band of Shepherds."

"The kids were really singing out. You could tell they enjoyed the songs," said Pastor Joel Swanson.

Prior to the program, Awana Music Directors Tiffany Fahy and Megan Coakley held two Saturday practices and a dress rehearsal the day of the musical. Children who had speaking roles also had additional practices.

"I am so proud of all of the Awana kiddos and the hard work they put into tonight's program," said Tiffany Fahy. "They looked beautiful on that stage, and they sounded amazing."

The Christmas Program was hosted at Walnut Creek Downtown and brought together the Windsor Heights and Downtown Awana locations. | Photo courtesy of Jill Udey

Megan Coakley thought the program went very well, especially because of the children's excitement and joy. "The kids were excited to sing their songs because when preparing for the program, I told them we were planning Jesus' birthday party," said Megan Coakley. "The Sparks and Truth and Training worked very hard each week to learn their songs. I loved when they really knew the songs and would sing their hearts out!"

Walnut Creek Kids Director Jacob Bennett, as well as Tiffany and Megan, would like to thank everyone who worked behind the scenes to make the program a success, including the tech crew, refreshments, leaders, and parents.

"I was encouraged to see God glorified through the mouths of so many children," said Jacob Bennett. "I’m really excited to see them grow in faith and see how God uses their lives in the future!"

By Jackie Wallentin

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights

Giving Gifts Around the World

National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is November 16–23.

Since 1993, Samaritan's Purse has sent 113 million shoeboxes to children in more than 130 countries through their Operation Christmas Child ministry.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

"It's so much more than a box. A lot of these children have never received a gift in their life and have never heard of Jesus Christ," said Kelly Hill of Walnut Creek Windsor Heights. "It is such a blessing to be able to share the gospel with millions of children and families through a shoebox."

Loren Pavel, of Walnut Creek Windsor Heights, and Hill coordinate Operation Christmas Child for Walnut Creek. As a team they get the information out to all the locations and order the materials needed to equip people to pack boxes.

Later this month they will collect and deliver the boxes to New Hope Assemblies of God Church in Urbandale, an Iowa collection center. All boxes collected in Iowa will be sent to the processing center in Minneapolis for inspection. From there, boxes are shipped to children all over the world.

Loren and Kelly both serve on the year-round Operation Christmas Child volunteer team with Sarah Johnson, Stephanie Hoch, and Tim and Sara Laehn, all of Walnut Creek Downtown.

At Walnut Creek Downtown's Christmas In July event this summer, volunteers packed over 2,000 shoeboxes.

The deadline to turn in boxes is Sunday, November 22. Boxes can be brought to any Walnut Creek location. For information about how to get involved with the year-round volunteer team, contact Kelly at kellyhill25@hotmail.com.

Samaritan’s Purse is an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. To learn more about Operation Christmas Child, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ/.

By Jackie Wallentin

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights

"Tomorrow's Freedom Is Today's Surrender"

Five women perform "Dawn To Dusk" by All Sons and Daughters at the Women's Coffeehouse on November 6.

Before the Women's Coffeehouse even began, all 570 chairs set out were taken. By 7pm, more than 620 women gathered together to hear stories of God's deliverance and rescue through personal testimonies, worship, and fellowship.

The inspiration for this year's coffeehouse came from Galatians 5:1: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

After opening in prayer, the worship band, composed of Cindy Andorf, Hannah Wright, Sara Choi, Jillian Aurelio, and Liz VanderSchel, performed "Dawn To Dusk" by All Sons and Daughters. Throughout the evening, the speakers referenced the lyric, "Tomorrow's freedom is today's surrender" to share their personal experiences of freedom found in Christ.

"The Christian life in essence is a life of surrender," said Shaly Moyal. "This year's Women's Coffeehouse centered around the theme that Christ died to free us, and that freedom is only found through surrender."

The first speaker of the evening, Haley Altmaier of Walnut Creek Downtown, shared the story of her relationship with her now husband. Haley described the desires, emotions, and actions God asked her to surrender during a time of unforeseen pain and confusion. As she surrendered, God showed her His patience, goodness, and faithfulness.

Over 620 women from all locations of Walnut Creek Church attended the coffeehouse.

Following Haley, Carla Richey of Walnut Creek Downtown shared her testimony of how the Lord has helped her to continually surrender her children and their future to Him as she and her husband choose to center their universe around God and His Kingdom, realizing that these children are His. In surrendering her children to God, she has seen the peace that comes in trusting the Lord to lead, guide, and direct her children toward Himself.

The last speaker of the evening was a video testimony by Christy Jo Hogg of Walnut Creek South. At age 13, Christy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. When she was 18, her brain tumor began growing again, and Christy thought God was punishing her for her rebellious lifestyle.

The day after she found out the cancer had come back, Christy met Jon and Agatha Crane of Walnut Creek South. The Cranes gave her a Gospel tract and invited her to church and their Community Group. Not long after giving her life to Christ, Christy found out she had another tumor, except this time it was inoperable. Doctors gave her 14 months to live. In the video, Christy shares her story of surrendering her entire life to God and how the Lord has helped her understand the pain and suffering of cancer.

The annual Women's Coffeehouse event was held Friday, November 6 at Walnut Creek Downtown.

In two additional videos, various women from each location shared in a sentence or two something they have found freedom in after surrounding to the Lord. Responses ranged from surrender of anger and greed to surrender of pleasing people and broken relationships.

"We wanted women to see that this life, the Christian life, requires continual surrender as we desire to experience more and more freedom that Christ offers," said Shaly. "We tried to demonstrate and share the variety of decisions that women have had to make through various videos and testimonies, hoping and praying that each woman in attendance would be able to relate to at least one of these decisions and decide to make it for herself in an effort to see and experience Christ."

Over 100 local businesses donated door prizes, which were handed out throughout the evening. The annual coffeehouse is a way for women to invite their friends, neighborhoods, coworkers, and family members to join in genuine fellowship and hear about the power of the Lord working in other women's lives.

By Jackie Wallentin

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights

Walnut Creek Extends Grand Welcome to Karenni Congregation

Walnut Creek Karenni held their first service at Walnut Creek Downtown on Sunday, November 1.
Photo by: Alex Michl

In 2013, Mike and Jenessa Lock of Walnut Creek Downtown realized that the Karenni refugees they had come to know did not have a church in Des Moines. Through a relationship with a Burmese woman named Pawdeenya, the Locks began to help her reach Karenni with the Gospel through apartment Bible studies.

About a year and a half ago, the Karenni Christian Fellowship began meeting on Sunday afternoons at Freedom For Youth Ministries. The Locks, as well as Brandon and Ashley Johnson of Walnut Creek Downtown, helped to facilitate the Sunday service including worship, teaching, and children's ministry. About 80-90 Karenni regularly fellowship together each Sunday.

Over the last year, Walnut Creek has partnered with the Karenni Fellowship in their ministry, and on November 1, Walnut Creek Karenni held their first service at Walnut Creek Downtown. The Grand Welcome Celebration marked the beginning of the Karenni service becoming part of Walnut Creek Church.

The service included worship in both the Kayah language and English.
Photo by: Alex Michl

The Karenni comprise nine different people groups, who speak different languages and dialects, from their home state of Myanmar (Burma). Many of the Karenni have lived for years in refugee camps in Thailand before coming to Des Moines.

Fourteen Karenni adults were also baptized during the service, sharing their testimonies of lives changed by Christ. "It was beautiful to be a part of the celebration as many of the older believers began to sing out 'There is a Fountain' while those publicly declaring their faith were entering the baptismal waters," said Mike Lock.

After the Karenni service, a meal catered by HyVee was served.
Photo by: Alex Michl

After the service, adults and children fellowshipped together with a meal and kids' activities, including the popular bouncehouse. "It was a great atmosphere of celebration," said Mike Lock.

Pastor Tim Rude spoke at the service and gave praise to God for all that has been happening within the Karenni people. Tim says Walnut Creek is excited to join arms with the Karenni people as they join the church and begin to have their own service at the Downtown location.

By Jackie Wallentin

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights

2015 Apologetics Conference, "5 Reasons to Bet Your Life on the Bible"

Dr. Sean McDowell and J. Warner Wallace presented on the reliability of the Bible during the 2015 Apologetics Conference hosted by Walnut Creek Church October 16-18.
Photos courtesy of Bruce Hall

"I'd rather live in the inconvenient truth than a convenient lie," said J. Warner Wallace this past weekend at the 2015 Apologetics Conference hosted at Walnut Creek Downtown. The conference brought over 500 people to the East Village to hear J. Warner Wallace and Dr. Sean McDowell as they presented "5 Reasons to Bet Your Life on the Bible."

Dr. Sean McDowell is a professor at Biola University as well as an author, apologist, speaker, and editor of the Apologetics Study Bible for Students. J. Warner Wallace is a cold-case homicide detective, adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University, Christian case maker, and author.

Sean began the conference on Friday night with an "Atheist Encounter," where he role-played as an atheist and answered questions from the audience, challenging them to think critically about what they believe. "Christianity can hold its own in a world full of ideas," said Sean. "Christianity is about a God who stepped into history itself."

The conference continued on Saturday with two morning sessions and one afternoon session, covering the first three reasons believers can bet their lives on the Bible. Sean spoke on Reason 1: "The Bible Is Reliable," and took a historical look at the Bible, manuscript transmission, and archaeology. Then, Jim followed up with Reason 2: "The Bible Is Trustworthy," as he looked at the difference between Biblical artifacts and evidence while responding to some of the biggest objections to the transmission of the Bible.

J. Warner Wallace is a cold-case homicide detective in Los Angeles County, California. Formerly an atheist, Jim became a Christian when he was 35.

In the afternoon, Sean spoke on the evidence for the resurrection, making the case by examining the death of Jesus, the empty tomb, the appearances of Jesus, and the transformation of the disciples. "No other religion rests on a single historical event like Christianity," said Sean. "The reason I believe that God is good is because death doesn't have the final word."

On Saturday evening Jim spoke at both Downtown evening services, as well as the South location. Jim gave Reason 4: "The Bible Has Been Transmitted Accurately," discussing the eyewitnesses of the Gospel accounts and how from a cold-case perspective, he came to fully trust their reliability

To conclude the conference, both Jim and Sean gave Reason 5: "The Biblical Account Best Explains Evil." Jim spoke at the Windsor Heights Sunday morning services, while Sean spoke at the 10am Downtown service. Throughout the weekend, both Jim and Sean encouraged believers to seek God and trust the Bible for answers. "Don't be an accidental Christian," said Jim. "Know why you believe."

For more apologetic resources from Sean and Jim, visit their websites at seanmcdowell.org and coldcasechristianity.com.

Conference media will be available on the Walnut Creek website.

By Jackie Wallentin

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights