Missions

missions director

I’m a First Federated Church “lifer.” During my childhood, my family was in church whenever the church doors were open. My parents were strong Christians who both had a great heart for missions and regularly welcomed visiting missionaries into our home. I personally accepted Christ into my heart at the age of six.

In 1983, I joined Operation Mobilization and served with them for four years in Mexico, England, Austria and on their ship, Logos. For many years I have been actively involved in Des Moines’ inner city, working with job training, tutoring and mentoring programs.

In 2006 I was honored to follow in my father’s footsteps as First Federated’s Mission Director. Additionally, I now have the responsibility for Congregation Care, which includes hospital visitation, activities for our seniors, and oversight of support groups.

My desire for FFC is to see our people actively involved in community, state, national and global missions. We accomplish this by challenging them to volunteer with local ministries, go on short-term teams locally and around the world, and be a prayer support for those who are serving in missions. A number of our people have taken the college-level course, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, as another means of enlarging their vision for missions. (This course will be offered at Johnston Evangelical Free Church in 2012.)

First Federated currently supports 51 missionaries and workers who are serving here and abroad. One of the highlights of our mission program is a week-long conference in April, with visiting missionaries sharing in services and classes. We also have Sunday luncheons for visiting missionaries throughout the year and encourage connections with our missionaries through our Women’s Association circles.