The Power of WE, our 2025 Open Bible National Convention had a fresh look, positive spirit, and record attendance. We also had excellent worship, speakers, breakout sessions, time to connect with others, and kids and youth options for families. A number of our pastors and churches were honored and we want to rejoice with them.
50-years of Consecutive Service as a Credentialed Minister
Randall Bach – Ambassador to Denominations for NAE, Bella Vista, AR
Charles Courtney – Senior Pastor, Bloomfield, IA
Paul Hughes – Senior Pastor, Point of Grace, Ottumwa, IA
Daniel N. LeLaCheur – Pastor Emeritus, First Church, Des Moines, IA
Jerold Morris – retired
Donald Porter – retired
LeRoy Struble – retired
Robert Weikert – Elder, Iowa Falls, IA
AND
25-years of Consecutive Service as a Credentialed Minister
Rick Arrowood – Elder, Heartland Church, Des Moines, IA
Bart Bentley – Lead Pastor, Journey Church Ministries, Loves Park, IL
Mickey Carvour – itinerant preacher, Des Moines, IA
Charles Cole – Lead Pastor, Experience Church, Des Moines, IA
Brian Ehlers – Secretary/Treasurer Open Bible Churches, Des Moines, IA
Andrew Hansen – Lead Pastor, Open Bible Center, Kankakee, IL
Benjamin Hines (LTC) – Army Chaplain based in Fort Cavasos, TX
Paul Juntunen – Global Missions Pastor, First Church, Ottumwa, IA
David Pasker – retired
Matt Sanford – Lead Pastor, Ft. Des Moines, IA
Kurt Veenstra – Connections Pastor, Experience Church, Des Moines, IA
Melany Wilks – Colby, KS
Ralph Wilks – Colby, KS
Darrick Young – Lead Pastor, Journey Church, Urbandale, IA
Top 10 Highest MVP Giving Churches
#1 First Church of the Open Bible, Freeport, IL $76,218.43
#5 Sunshine Open Bible, Des Moines, IA $53,316.10
#7 First Church of the Open Bible, Des Moines, IA $47,479.14
#10 Church of the Open Bible, Iowa Falls, IA $29,942.08
Top 10 Highest Per Capita Giving Per Week Churches
#1 First Church of the Open Bible, Freeport, IL $38.57
#6 Faith Open Bible, Marshalltown, IA $6.93
#7 Sunshine Open Bible, Des Moines, IA $6.61
#8 Ft. Des Moines Open Bible, Des Moines, IA $5.95
#9 Church of the Open Bible, Iowa Falls, IA $5.78
Congratulations
Pastor Josh and Zia Bingaman, Lead Pastors, First Church Des Moines, IA, welcomed Silas Asher Bingaman into their world on March 4, 2025! (So sorry for the late notice!)
Pastor Skyler and Destiney Skinner, Youth Pastors, First Open Bible in Ottumwa, IA, welcomed Gideon Asriel Skinner into their world on June 16, 2025!
Pastor Brett (Melissa) Cox, newly credentialed Open Bible minister, was voted in as Senior Pastor at Belvidere Open Bible Church in Belvidere, IL, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. They hope to begin serving in early August 2025.
Congratulations
List of newly credentialed ministers (May and June 2025):
Brett Cox, senior pastor, Belvidere, IL Ministerial License
Areli Estrada, serving at Sunshine, Des Moines, IA Ministerial License
Kayla Mehlert, youth pastor, Cedar Rapids, IA Ministerial License
Suzanne Nissen, chaplain, Clear Lake, IA Specialized License
Jeffrey Peters, chaplain, Ft. Worth, TX Ministerial License
Weston Rudiger, youth pastor, Pella, IA Ministerial License
Ryan Terrebonne, serving at NewPoint, Des Moines, IA Ministerial License
List of credential upgrades (May and June 2025):
Caleb Fritz, senior pastor, Chippewa Falls, WI Certified License
Nelson Gaitan, missionary to Nicaragua Ordination
Tirsa Gaitan, missionary to Nicaragua Ordination
Heather Hunsaker, missionary to Tijuana, MX Certified License
Travis Hunsaker, missionary to Tijuana, MX Certified License
Pam Lumbard, missionary to Trinidad Ordination
