Where do we find wisdom to navigate our lives - personal growth, politics, social issues? Daniel sought the Lord because the Lord knows what is in the darkness. https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm celebrates the life of Ankeny Centennial boys’ tennis coach Tami Lewton with Centennial Activities Director Nate Lingren, Centennial girls’ tennis coach Alli Gustafson and junior Brayden Wellendorf–who was the Jaguars’ No. 1 playe…

In this world full of suffering and pain, we often ask God, “Why?” Some even assert that if there is suffering in the world it is proof that God does not exist unless a compelling answer can be given. What if “Why” is the wrong question? The message of the Book of Job offers no answer to Job’s asking God why. Instead, God is present to Job. When we…

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Pastor Scott Rains from June 23, 2024Por Scott Rains - Hope Ankeny Pastor

It's a podcast takeover by Ankeny Centennial graduated senior Mya Maronn. She's invited student entrepreneurs Logan Sobaski, Charli Brady, and Emma Bececk. Hear advice on pitfalls to avoid, pushing boundaries, and pursuing interests for the under-18 entrepreneur.Por Ankeny Community School District

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm celebrates the life of Fanatic photographer Drue Wolfe with fellow photographers Jerrad Downer and Mike Hughes, KCCI-TV sports anchor and reporter Shannon Ehrhardt, and Des Moines Roosevelt baseball coach Randy Wee.…

Prayers That Transform| "Seeking the Sovereign God." | June 16, 2024 | Pastor Todd Hessel https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

When confronted with the troubles of the world or the decline of our personal life we can long for something new, something that fixes things, solves our problems. We tend to look for the quick fix, the silver bullet, the latest and greatest advice. Scripture tells us that the reign of God doesn’t work that way. Mustard seeds, growing seed, sprigs …

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Pastor Nick Brannen from June 16, 2024Por Nick Brannen - Hope Ankeny Pastor

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the baseball season thus far with coach Joe Balvanz and junior shortstop Kinnick Vos of Ankeny. Coldwell Banker realtor Tom Butler also makes an appearance.Por Ankeny Fanatic

I grew up in a church that had an enormous sanctuary. It was filled with stained-glass windows. There was plenty of real estate for depictions of stories from the Bible. Not one inch was dedicated to depicting Jesus as a thief. In the Gospel today, Jesus tells a story about binding a strong man and plundering the house. Is Jesus the strongman or th…

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Pastor Scott Rains from June 9, 2024Por Scott Rains - Hope Ankeny Pastor

How should I pray? Jesus answers this question directly and simply. But, as you might expect, there is a depth and richness in the prayer Jesus taught us. https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

Burnt ends are on the menu today as the Ankeny Schools' Nutritional Services team launches the 2024 Summer Food Program. Director of Nutrition Services Scott Litchfield, Chef Joe Weitz, and Dietitian Susan Carlson have a lot to discuss and celebrate about this summer and plans for the 2024-25 school meal programs. For more information visit the Nut…

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the softball season thus far with coach Dave Bingham, senior pitcher Abby Rusher and senior catcher Marah Hansen of the seventh-ranked Ankeny squad. Coldwell Banker realtor Ronda Dix also makes an appearance.…

Keeping Sabbath is more than an outdated day off exemplified by the blue laws of a bygone age. The purpose of Sabbath is to rejoice and honor God’s creation and every creature. It is to proclaim freedom and assert that we are more than what we do, more than our accomplishments, more than economic cogs in the machinery. We are children of God! Jesus…

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Pastor Scott Rains from June 2, 2024Por Scott Rains - Hope Ankeny Pastor

The Christian life is not a solo act; we need each other! https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the girls’ Class 3A state soccer tournament with Ankeny coach Simon Brown and senior forward Emma Gott, who scored two goals in the Hawkettes’ 3-0 victory over Waukee in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.…

Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the middle of the night when the shadows are long and the places to hide are easy to find. Nicodemus is a Pharisee and coming to ask Jesus questions can be problematic for him. That fateful night Nicodemus brings all of his questions and seeks confirmation for what he already knows. If his story ended that night, he woul…

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Pastor Scott Rains from May 26, 2024Por Scott Rains - Hope Ankeny Pastor

1 Peter: Set Apart | "Before I Close" | 1 Peter 5:6-11 | Pastor J.D. Abell https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

Ezekiel sees a valley full of bones that represent the people of God. Peter and the disciples see a world where God’s people are scattered, divided, and grieving the death of their Lord. Today, God’s people are a shrinking bunch, unsure of how to proceed in a world that thinks they are irrelevant. When we can’t imagine a way forward, the Spirit com…

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Minister Emily Beltrame from May 19, 2024Por Emily Beltrame - Hope Ankeny Minister of Children and Students

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews the coed state track meet with coach Jordan Mullen and reigning Class 4A state cross country champion Ethan Zuber of the Ankeny boys’ team along with standout high jumper Reagan Hanfelt of the Ankeny girls’ squad.…

As the Lord shepherds our lives in tumultuous times, He gives the church shepherds to guide and care for the flock. https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

Eternal life is not the same thing as the resurrection of the dead, nor is it simply this life extended past death. Eternal life is not something we earn or build from our efforts to get rich, successful, or busy. Eternal life always was, will always be, and is present right now. You just have to look at Jesus to see what is and trust that he has g…

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Pastor Scott Rains from May 12, 2024Por Scott Rains - Hope Ankeny Pastor

1 Peter: Set Apart | "Suffering and the Christian" | 1 Peter 4:12-19 | Pastor J.D. Abell https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the girls’ regional tennis tournaments with coaches Alli Gustafson of Ankeny Centennial and Steve Smith of Ankeny and previews the upcoming regional team tournaments. Coldwell Banker realtor Janae Griffith also makes a…

We can spend a lot of time waiting for God to do something about the brokenness of our world and the challenges of life. The Book of Acts, however, says that it is not our impatient waiting on the Spirit to act that is the problem. The Spirit has preceded us and plowed the ground already. The Spirit impatiently anoints even as we argue about who is…

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Pastor Scott Rains from May 5, 2024Por Scott Rains - Hope Ankeny Pastor

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews the Ankeny Derby games with seniors Ty Duax and Avery Lewis of Ankeny Centennial along with Liz Proctor and Gannon Ripley of Ankeny.Por Ankeny Fanatic

📖 Jesus changes everything - including how we are to think. 1 Peter 4:1-11 shows us three areas of change that bring about transformation in our lives. https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

The ancient Celtic Christians named the Holy Spirit the Wild Goose. The Holy Spirit is wild and untamed. Our Acts reading today is about Philip’s encounter with the Holy Spirit and his Wild Goose Chase. Acts 8:26-40 | 1 John 4:7-21 | John 15:1-8Por Pastor Travis Segar

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Minister Emily Beltrame from April 28, 2024Por Emily Beltrame - Hope Ankeny Minister of Children and Students

1 Peter: Set Apart | "The reason for our hope" | 4.21.24 | Pastor Todd Hessel https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews the Drake Relays with Anika Mohrhauser and Lawson Langford of Ankeny Centennial along with Morgan Johnson and Jack Belding of Ankeny. Former Ankeny standout Robin Hagen also makes an appearance.…

In Jesus’ day, there would be times when multiple shepherds would bring their flocks together. Whether by accident or on purpose, they would gather them in a paddock, an area that was walled off to keep the predators out of the flock. The sheep would mingle together and do all the things sheep do. Now that presents a problem for the shepherd. How d…

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Pastor Scott Rains from April 21, 2024Por Scott Rains - Hope Ankeny Pastor

We all want to experience the Lord's blessing. Sometimes that blessing comes at the end of pain. If we want to experience God's goodness, the journey is often difficult. https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the start of the girls’ golf season with first-year Ankeny coach Kelley Emke and Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke. Coldwell Banker realtor Tom Butler also makes an appearance.…

The resurrection of Jesus reveals that God’s way is the way of life, light, love, peace, hope, and wholeness. Whenever these things break through the darkness of the world it is a moment of resurrection. Sadly, we don’t see it, nor do we often want to accept this eruption of new life. We are resistant to the resurrection.…

Who are you following? Jesus, right?!? That can be hard in the world we live in. Our passage today gives us some practical help as to what that looks like. https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

BIG Questions: "Why does the Resurrection matter?" | Easter Sunday 2024 | Pastor Todd Hessel https://www.ankenyfree.churchPor Ankeny Free Church

We live in the age of the individual. We are a lonely, fragmented people often at each other’s throats. The resurrection of Jesus binds people together in love to stand against the individualism that makes everything about “me.” “Doubting” Thomas struggled in despair and doubt because he was not with the others when Jesus first appeared. The church…

Hope Ankeny - Sermon by Pastor Ashley Lentz from April 7, 2024Por Ashley Lentz - Hope Ankeny Pastor

Parkview Middle School student, Miles, has taken over the "Let's Talk About It" podcast! He takes you on a behind-the-scenes tour of Parkview's 2024 spring play Goldilocks on Trial. Miles (actor) with fellow Parkview student Avery (set designer & builder), and Ms. Alexa Long (teacher sponsor and producer) talk about the process of bringing the play…

The Gospel of Mark ends at chapter 16, verse 8 (other endings were added much later). It is an odd, perplexing end that leaves us with an empty tomb and three women who say nothing to anyone. Yet, maybe Mark was less concerned with what happened then and more concerned with what happens now. The resurrection means that God is loose in the world, un…

Por Pastor Tim Olson