IOWA-MISSOURI

Woodland Hills Church Plant Sponsors Advanced Disaster Survival Course

The Woodland Hills church plant near Des Moines recently partnered with the city of Pleasant Hill to sponsor an advanced disaster survival training course at a local youth center. Taught by Jerry DuVall, pastor of the Nixa and Kimberling City churches in Missouri and a former Army counterintelligence agent, the advanced course built on the basics of an introductory course held in Altoona last fall. In addition to learning how to assess threats, be prepared for sudden disaster, build fires, make temporary shelters and more, attendees of the advanced course were also taught when and how to tie a variety of knots, how to best utilize materials commonly found in nature, how to make sure water found in nature is drinkable, and how to think through various scenarios to ensure longterm survival.

In addition to local church members, there were approximately 35 guests who attended the course. It was a great opportunity to connect with community members in a neutral environment and learn more about what interests them. Guests completed a survey that will help the church know how to best minister to their needs in the future, and there were several giveaways of survival tools and other items that could be used in a disaster. Many expressed an interest in future events the church is planning, as well as Bible studies and prophecy seminars.

The course was also a great opportunity to build relationships with community leaders who were enthusiastic about the course and expressed appreciation for providing it to the public. The Woodland Hills church plant would like to thank Pastor DuVall, the city of Pleasant Hill, the church members who attended or volunteered to help, and all of the guests for making it a success.

Anita Fischer is a member of the Ankeny Church in Ankeny, Iowa. The Woodland Hills church plant is a church planting initiative of the Ankeny Church.

(left) Pastor DuVall shares recent earthquake data with attendees.

(right) Various types of knots, tools and other items valuable during a disaster are put on display. Giveaway drawings were held throughout the event for items such as nylon ropes, a foldable saw, ready-to-eat prepackaged meals, filtered water bottles and more.

Cransons Accept Call to Rocky Mountain

It’s with great reluctance that we say goodbye to Pastor Nathan and Michelle Cranson, who recently accepted a call to the Rocky Mountain Conference. Nathan had been serving the Albia, Centerville and Ottumwa churches in Iowa for the past four years and was joined by Michelle when they married in 2018.

Nathan was instrumental in helping create a video studio at Sunnydale Academy that will serve the conference well for years to come, and he and Michelle were also heavily involved with youth ministry at camp meetings and Iowa youth rallies.

Though they will be greatly missed, the conference wishes the Cransons well as they begin this new chapter in ministry that allows them to be closer to family. Please join us in praying for them as they make this transition.

Lee Rochholz is ministerial director for the Iowa-Missouri Conference.

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