Location: South Ankeny
Leaders: Don & Brenda Long
Don and Brenda Long have been connecting people with God’s Word for over 40 years. They bring to the table rich marriage, family, and work experience with a heart for hospitality and large laughter. You’re invited to tackle life’s hard questions and take your learning to the next level of loving well through study and fellowship.
Location: Zoom
Leaders: George & Kathie Held
We are retired from work but not from growing and learning! We love to travel, and once the pandemic has ended, we have lots of places we want to see.
We have been married 5 years. This is a second marriage for both of us. George’s first wife passed away 7 years ago, and Kathie was divorced over 25 years ago. We found each other through eHarmony. We each have our children, four in-law children, and seven sweet grandbabies.
We moved to Des Moines three years ago and built a new home near Van Meter. After moving here, we visited a number of different churches and chose Valley because of its teaching and vibrant ministries.
We’d love for you to become part of our online Life Group! We’ll be a group of folks who learn, grow, listen to and support each other, serve others, and enjoy Christian fellowship.
Location: Ankeny
Leaders: Bryan & Julie Host
This Life Group is a place where you can SHARE the joys and trials of life with other believers, grow in your day-to-day faith through the STUDY God’s Word, SUPPORT and be supported in a caring and safe community, and meaningfully SERVE the church and our community.
Bryan & Julie have been in pastoral ministry for the past 24 years and are now serving with the EFCA’s ReachGlobal training pastors and leaders in the global church. They have two wonderful daughters and two excellent sons-in-law. They can’t wait to connect with other Valley attenders who live in Ankeny.
Location: Valley Church
Leaders: Matt & Alison Herr
This multi-station Life Group is for people of all backgrounds and life stages to encourage each other in faith and enjoy fellowship. In the broken world we live in, we believe in grounding ourselves on God’s word and continually growing deep faith roots every day. We want to come alongside you and do life well in God’s eyes.
Matt & Alison Herr have been in the Des Moines metro for over 20 years and have four kids. We often times consider ourselves “town and country” people, as we work in town at professional day jobs but we love the outdoors and working hard on our 60 acres.
Location: Urbandale
Leaders: Ben Willcockson
This is a Life Group for young men—mostly in their 20s and/or recent college graduates who are focused on making disciples of ourselves and of all nations through fellowship, worship, ministry, discipleship, and evangelism. We are passionate about Christ and obeying his commands, teaching, and admonishing while encouraging one another in becoming more like him. In an age when truth is what you make of it, we seek to build ourselves on the gospel truth, finding our identity in Jesus—one which is given by grace alone.
Ben Willcockson recently graduated from the University of Iowa and returned to the Des Moines area working for Wells Fargo Bank & Company. Ben has been a member of Valley Church for about a year but has been attending Valley Church with his family for approximately 10 years.
Location: Valley Church
Leaders: Seth & Beth Harrington
Childcare Provided
Seth and Beth Harrington recently moved to the Des Moines area from Ottumwa. They have been married for 12 years and have three children ranging from 10 to 4. Beth has been active in Valley’s Kids Club and other churches prior to the move. Seth is an attorney and owner at Harrington Law LC in Urbandale. They love building bridges with other families and diving deeper into God’s word together.
Location: Zoom
Leaders: Victor & Hilda Monzon
Los líderes Víctor e Hilda se mudaron recientemente de Monterey México y esperan ayudar a otros a crecer en su fe. Su grupo está diseñado para hispanohablantes que desean formar parte de una comunidad vibrante.
Leaders Victor and Hilda recently moved from Monterey, Mexico, and hope to help others grow in their faith. This group is designed for Spanish speakers who want to be part of a vibrant community.
Location: South Ankeny
Leaders: Don & Brenda Long
Don and Brenda Long have been connecting people with God’s Word for over 40 years. They bring to the table rich marriage, family, and work experience with a heart for hospitality and large laughter. You’re invited to tackle life’s hard questions and take your learning to the next level of loving well through study and fellowship.
Leaders: Tim & Sanae Vaniman
We are Tim & Sanae Vaniman, and we were young once, just like you. We have a freshly empty nest, and are recent first-time grandparents. During the first years of our marriage we lived in Japan. Sanae was a recent college grad, and Tim taught English. We were blessed with difficult and joyful times in those days and also blessed by wonderful Christian couples who helped us thrive as we got to know each other, set up our home, and begin our family.
Location: West Des Moines
Leaders: Jon & Emily Fontenot
Jon and Emily Fontenot moved from the San Francisco Bay area to West Des Moines in 2017. They’ve been married for 10 years and have three energetic kids–Amelia, age 5, Dominic, age 3, and Eliana, age 1. Jon joined the Valley Church staff in August 2017 and Emily works part-time remotely for an organization that serves immigrants.
This group is primarily for younger marrieds in their 20s-40s, with or without kids. The Fontenots are looking forward to building rich community with people from different backgrounds in the Des Moines metro!
Location: Valley Church
Leaders: Seth and Beth Harrington
Childcare Provided
Seth and Beth Harrington recently moved to the Des Moines area from Ottumwa. They have been married for 12 years and have three children ranging from 10 to 4. Beth has been active in Valley’s Kids Club and other churches prior to the move. Seth is an attorney and owner at Harrington Law LC in Urbandale. They love building bridges with other families and diving deeper into God’s word together.
Leader: George & Kathie Held
Location: Zoom
We are retired from work but not from growing and learning! We love to travel, and once the pandemic has ended, we have lots of places we want to see.
We have been married 5 years. This is a second marriage for both of us. George’s first wife passed away 7 years ago, and Kathie was divorced over 25 years ago. We found each other through eHarmony. We each have our children, four in-law children, and seven sweet grandbabies.
We moved to Des Moines three years ago and built a new home near Van Meter. After moving here, we visited a number of different churches and chose Valley because of its teaching and vibrant ministries.
We’d love for you to become part of our online Life Group! We’ll be a group of folks who learn, grow, listen to and support each other, serve others, and enjoy Christian fellowship.
Leader: Bryan & Julie Host
Location: Ankeny
This Life Group is a place where you can SHARE the joys and trials of life with other believers, grow in your day-to-day faith through the STUDY God’s Word, SUPPORT and be supported in a caring and safe community, and meaningfully SERVE the church and our community.
Bryan & Julie have been in pastoral ministry for the past 24 years and are now serving with the EFCA’s ReachGlobal training pastors and leaders in the global church. They have two wonderful daughters and two excellent sons-in-law. They can’t wait to connect with other Valley attenders who live in Ankeny.
Location: TBD
Leaders: Matt & Alison Herr
This multi-station Life Group is for people of all backgrounds and life stages to encourage each other in faith and enjoy fellowship. In the broken world we live in, we believe in grounding ourselves on God’s word and continually growing deep faith roots every day. We want to come alongside you and do life well in God’s eyes.
Matt & Alison Herr have been in the Des Moines metro for over 20 years and have four kids. We often times consider ourselves “town and country” people, as we work in town at professional day jobs but we love the outdoors and working hard on our 60 acres.
Location: Valley Church
Leaders: Jay & Kim Erickson and John Dillon
Mixed Fruit is a multi-station group of fun and fruity people who will build one another up and hold each other accountable to showing the fruits of the Spirit! We want to live Chirst-centered lives that impact our families, our friends, and our communities.
Location: West Des Moines
Leaders: Richard & Molly Pierce
The Pierce family moved to Des Moines from Maine in 2016. Richard and Molly have two kids—Sophie (16) and Emerson (13). They look to grow closer to God together in fellowship with others. All ages and kids are welcome. They have two dogs and a cat.
Location: Urbandale
Leaders: Tom & Erin Hefner
Location: Valley Church
Leader: Jennifer George
Childcare: Register children 3 and under
This Single Moms Life Group is for women of all ages who are looking to find rest, hope, and encouragement in a Christ-centered environment. This group provides the opportunity to share the ups and downs of single parenthood while developing meaningful, supportive relationships. Jennifer is mom to two rowdy boys. She loves writing, running, cooking, and working with kids.
Location: Des Moines Metro
Leader: Jeff & Tamara Andrews
This group will meet twice a month on Saturdays at 8:45 AM in the Des Moines metro at different parks. In addition to hiking, we will do a short devotion and spend some time praying. This is a great way to get to know other outdoor lovers at our church and spend time in nature. Dogs are welcome as long as the park allows.
Location: Valley Church
Leaders: Zach Carnahan
This is a Life Group of young men and women (mostly recent college graduates in their 20s) focused on Christ-centered community. We strive to grow in our understanding and obedience to the truths of God’s word and build friendships in a way that extends beyond just meeting on Sunday nights.
Location: Urbandale
Leader: Ben Willcockson
This is a Life Group for young men—mostly in their 20s and/or recent college graduates who are focused on making disciples of ourselves and of all nations through fellowship, worship, ministry, discipleship, and evangelism. We are passionate about Christ and obeying his commands, teaching, and admonishing while encouraging one another in becoming more like him. In an age when truth is what you make of it, we seek to build ourselves on the gospel truth, finding our identity in Jesus—one which is given by grace alone.
Ben Willcockson recently graduated from the University of Iowa and returned to the Des Moines area working for Wells Fargo Bank & Company. Ben has been a member of Valley Church for about a year but has been attending Valley Church with his family for approximately 10 years.
Location: Valley Church
Leaders: Joe & Karin Johnson
The Table is a group of mostly 20s and 30s, guys and girls, married, divorced, and single, who want to grow in their faith by digging into the Bible and asking questions and learning together. The group is lead by Joe and Karin Johnson, who are NOT in their 20s and 30s. Serving and social time is also an important part of this group.
Check out The Table on Facebook for our most current information.
Location: Valley Church
Leader: Jon Fontenot
Jon is married to Emily and they have 3 young kiddos and a dog. He feels strongly about building community through Life Groups and encouraging guys to be servant leaders. This group is for men (married and single) of all ages who desire to build friendships and grow deeper by studying the Bible. This group will go back-and-forth between reviewing weekend sermon and studies that are geared towards men.
Location: Valley Church
Leader: Daniel & Selvi Christudoss and Albert Cheah
We’re very excited to start this group! Daniel and Selvi are originally from India and have been part of Valley Church for many years. Albert is from Malaysia but has been in Iowa for the last 7 years, and truly loves this place! His experience from the past 2 years with one our young adult groups has been phenomenal!
This group is for anyone looking to build community with cultures from different backgrounds or for individuals who speak English as a second language. Get ready for new friendships, rich cultural exchange, and the opportunity to grow together in God’s word!
Location: Zoom
Leader: Victor & Hilda Monzon
Los líderes Víctor e Hilda se mudaron recientemente de Monterey México y esperan ayudar a otros a crecer en su fe. Su grupo está diseñado para hispanohablantes que desean formar parte de una comunidad vibrante.
Leaders Victor and Hilda recently moved from Monterey, Mexico, and hope to help others grow in their faith. This group is designed for Spanish speakers who want to be part of a vibrant community.
Location: Valley Church
Leader: Patti Abram
If you have lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before. Grief Share meets weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life.
Location: Valley Church
Leader: Shawn Ford and Jen Green
This support group lasts 13 weeks long and is for those who are going through the pain and trauma of divorce or separation. Find hope and healing.
© 2020 Valley Church.
