In 2013 Walnut Creek planted our South location out of members from our Downtown location. Our South congregation continued to meet in a variety of rental locations as we searched for a permanent building to buy and renovate. Throughout the years our pastoral team pursued many building options.
In early 2020 Bethany Baptist Church contacted the pastors about potentially selling their building. Bethany Baptist’s building is located in a prime spot on the Southside of Des Moines off of SE 14th Street. We asked the South Local Team to share how the new building has impacted 2020.
“I am abundantly thankful for the timing of the building acquisition. We acquired it two weeks before the whole church went to livestream. When we did return to meeting together, we would have been unable to meet at the school and would have been scrambling to work out a location amid a pandemic and social distancing. God’s timing was perfect.” Zac Oler, Production Team
“It amazes me how everyone has had a desire to serve our community and our new building. Free oil changes, Trunk or Treat, cleaning up fallen trees, painting the building, cleaning between services. All of these and more done with great attitudes and smiling faces. People serving for three services on Sundays. I’m humbled every week.” John Teeter, Facilities Team
“Our building has been so encouraging to the Walnut Creek South family to have a place to call home. It is often that someone is expressing their gratitude for the space He has provided. It’s uplifiting for the Southside to see we are planted and invested here. Often God calls us to remember His faithfulness and this answered prayer will continue to be an example of His perfect plan.” Molly Hipp, Events Team
“In addition to the timing, I am moved by how people in the community have responded to seeing new life in the building. Even though we couldn’t do Mission to the City in 2020, we were still able to host events like the free oil changes and Trunk-or-Treat where the community showed up in a big way. It demonstrated to me that God is definitely working to use his church in a big way. People want connection. I can expect that our future events will have tremendous visibility and impact for the works of God in the heart of Des Moines’ Southside.” Sean Covington, Music Team
“One of the many reasons we were praying for our own building is because we thought it would open up a greater volume of visitors and the opportunity to connect, serve, and share the gospel with them. Despite Covid, we have been blessed with a consistent flow of new guests and returning visitors which has been an exciting answer to prayer.” Jon Crane, Pastor
“Looking back on this year, it’s impossible to miss how faithful God was to our church in providing a building at the right time. God was faithful while we were meeting in the mall and in the school, always giving us just what we needed. Without knowing what was to come in the year ahead, we were all so grateful to have a permanent home. We’ve been so encouraged to see the impact of our new space on the community and the opportunities we’ve had to share the gospel and love our neighbors.” Jackie Crane, Communications Team
