RED REAPPOINTMENT
Today begins a new term of serving our churches and pastors of Central Region! I am grateful, first, to the Lord for His goodness in providing health, strength, and wisdom for each day; secondly, for the 24/7 support of Robin in our marriage and ministry; thirdly, for President Michael Nortune and the Regional Board who worked together over the past six months on this process; and finally, for the churches and leaders who have partnered with us to reach higher and farther than we imagined. I am energized with the call to MULTIPLY and have vision to see more in this next season as churches are establishing fresh discipleship pathways, leaders are being developed and deployed, and there is a growing list of adoptions and plants in our pipeline across the region! As we unite in a cause that is greater than our own, I encourage you to partner together as we work diligently to accomplish the mission God has given us in Central Region.
Blessed to serve Jesus with you,
Bruce Pfadenhauer
Regional Executive Director
The GATHERING, our fall event for pastors and leaders in Central Region, will be held September 28-30, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Coralville, IA. Our theme is Mobilized to Multiply. Registration is now open!
Click here for more details and to register!
GLOBAL MISSIONS
Our July 2026 Global Harvest focus is on Rich & Patti Kopp.
Rich and Patti Kopp are founders of the Church Planters Academy in Ghana, West Africa. Since 2016, more than twelve churches have been planted, and hundreds of people have committed their lives to Christ. They continue to expand their work in surrounding African countries, training and empowering church planters to further the Gospel.
2026 Global Harvest Offering – Build Hope in Africa
CONGRATULATIONS
Dan and Sarah Carlson will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren on July 5, 2026, at Hanford Community Church in Mason City, IA. Pastor Dan is the Senior Pastor at Hanford Community Church.
Pastors Will and Joyce Hunsaker, Senior Pastors of Faith United Church in Rockwell, IA, passed the senior leadership baton to Pastors Jake and Jaime Ditsworth on Sunday, June 27, 2026. The Hunsakers have moved south of Ottumwa and will be finishing their new home and preparing for a new ministry assignment.
Ministers Who Recently Received Ordination:
Abby Cole, Experience Church, Des Moines, IA
Matthew Cole, Experience Church, Des Moines, IA
Bjorn Lindgren, Open Bible Center, Kankakee, IL
Josh Moede, First Church of the Open Bible, Des Moines, IA
Skyler Sanford, Central Region Next Gen Director/ Fort Des Moines Open Bible, Des Moines, IA
Luke Schier, Church of the Open Bible, Polo, IL
Lana Shea, Experience Church, Des Moines, IA
Ryan Weldon, Journey Church, Urbandale, IA
KC Wright, Pleasant Valley Church, Springfield, MO
COMFORT
Evelyn Mathews, mother of Steve (Jan) Mathews – CRU Family Life Blended Ministry; Heidie (Don) Bates, pastors at Highpoint Open Bible Church in Council Bluffs, IA; Naomi (Phil) Waldo, pastors at Open Bible Church in Boone, IA, passed away June 18, 2026. A memorial service was held June 26, 2026. Here is a link to Evelyn’s obituary.
George McCord, retired minister in Central Region, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026, following a brief illness. George and Patty pastored Open Bible churches in Ashland, OH; Bloomfield, IA; and Eldridge, IA for 38 years. Here is the link to George McCord’s obituary. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Davenport, IA.
Justin Tarter, an Open Bible College student from First Open Bible in Des Moines, IA, passed away in a motorcycle accident Friday, June 12, 2026. Justin was just beginning his credential process. A celebration of life service was held on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Here is the link to Justin Tarter’s obituary.
