This past year, we were committed to giving 10% (approximately $121K) toward ministry partners and missions that fulfill our mission in our community, region, and world.
 
These partners include:

• Pregnancy Center of Central Iowa
• East Jasper Christian Food Pantry
• Discover Hope
• Fierce Faith Music
• RSVP and Elderly Nutrition
• Harvest House
• Samaritan’s Purse (FL Hurricane relief)
• Fuller Seminary (CA wildfire relief)
• Local and state First Responders through Jasper County Emergency Services banquet and Impact Iowa’s Heroes
• Youth missions through Central Iowa Teens Encounter Christ (CITEC), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and we even financed 44 youth and leaders to attend Rapid City, SD for the Youthworks Mission Trip.
• Global Missions and missionaries spreading the Gospel and light of Christ: Many Hands for Haiti and Abaco; Samaritan’s Purse; Words of Hope; World Vision; YWAM (multiple missionaries in USA, Uganda, Mexico, etc.); One Collective Gift (Greece); The Sending Network missionaries in Japan.

 
We have blessed our local schools and families by supporting Newton Christian School, Sully Christian School, Central Iowa Christian School, Newton Booster Club, providing meals/support for multiple high school sports teams, blessing baskets of baked goods to the staff of 6 different schools for Teacher Appreciation, and providing needed winter clothes for the elementary schools. We were able to serve meals to nearly 200 youth/leaders each week at youth group, host food/events for families in our community, and give away financial aid to those in need. We even gave away many cases full of bibles and devotionals to new believers that attended The Way!
 
This next Fiscal Year, we hope to give away another 10% ($122k) of our annual budget to support our community and local/state/national/world ministry partners. 
Thank you for your generosity as we continue to fulfill God’s mission here at The Way!

Your Sister in Christ,
Tricia

Hi Way Family!
We just finished our Summer Celebration Sunday at Maytag Park, and there was a moment during the day when I was able to catch my breath, look around at everyone who was there, and I started to cry. My heart was full and grateful, but I know there is still more work to do. Pastor Steve talked about being on fire for Jesus, and Celebration Sunday reminded me of my "why." I love what God has called me to do at The Way. It's not always easy, but it is incredibly rewarding.

We truly have the best staff and volunteers on our tech and worship teams. They love Jesus, they love people, and it shows in the way they serve.

In 2025 and 2026, we will be implementing several much-needed tech upgrades for our facilities, livestream, as well as making some lighting adjustments. We're also preparing for new technology in the Outreach Center that will simplify the process of reserving the space! Technology and the way people connect seem to be constantly evolving, and I'm really looking forward to all the content we can create as we move into the next year!

My family and I are so thankful to be a part of what God is doing at The Way.  He has used this church to change our lives, and we eagerly anticipate the future!
Thank you for all your support, generosity, love and kindness. We love you!

My job is never the same from day to day and I love it.  From making sure office needs are filled to reaching out to volunteers. I try to fill the small needs that are open. Meeting new people and connecting with old friends are a fun part of my job.  Supporting the staff to help make their lives easier. 

I’m Kalie Braden and I am the nursery coordinator.  I’ve been the coordinator for a year now.  Wow time flies!!
In the past year we’ve had many new faces in the nursery, both kids and volunteers, as well as a few kids transition over into Rush with Elisha. Coming in on Sundays and seeing all the kids is my favorite part of the week and something I look forward to every week! They absolutely love sitting down and having you read all the books and listening to worship while eating their Cheerios (Cheerios may be their favorite part though).
I am constantly having people come and ask if they can volunteer in the nursery and I love it! I’ve had lots of the middle school and high school youth start to volunteer! You can never have enough volunteers!
All of the kids have grown so much in the last year, many of them will be transitioning to Rush in the fall, but I am looking forward to all of the new babies that will be coming in!! I’m excited to see them keep growing and see how Jesus works in their lives!

We have been so blessed this year with so many little ones that we get to help along their walk with Jesus. We have welcomed many new families and even our Preschool and Kindergarten students are inviting their friends to church. We had many new and returning families at Summer Camp this year along with so many first time volunteers we were so blessed with.

Each quarter we have a family night. These are each so different but are a way we get to invite families to interact in new ways as a family that is Christ centered. Our goal for these is to give families ideas of engaging at home with their children to spark conversations about Jesus. With Little Sparks in July we get so excited to see the children that are graduating from Nursery and will be our next group of Rush kids. They come together to see what it will be like when they move up but with a smaller group for a smooth transition.
 
We started Divorce Care for Kids this year which was a great space for children with different types of family dynamics feel like they weren’t alone. Teaching the littles about Jesus and building relationships with each family is my absolute favorite. These children are the future of our church and community, what we do now matters. My goal is always to make each child feel loved.

This was my third year leading the 1st-4th grade Rush Children’s Ministry. I saw a lot of new faces again this year in this group and they were welcomed by me, my volunteers, and other children. The kids would invite and bring their friends which was awesome to see them be excited to show their friends what Rush is all about and to join the fun while also diving into God’s word. I had 1-2 volunteers help with each grade and I’m so thankful for the time and energy they put into pouring into the kids each week. Some of my volunteers would help every week, some every other week, and some helped once or twice a month and would let me know their availability.

It was amazing to see how God worked through the children and helped them grow their faith. Seeing the children worship and praise God, watching them learn new things from the Bible stories, hearing how the lesson relates to their lives, seeing them pray together and connect with their small group leader, and  seeing their faith grow at such a young age just brings joy to my heart. They were also able to share what they were going through in their lives, and bring it all to God by talking to their small group leader about it and praying together. There were also quite a few kids that asked for a bible this ministry year because they didn’t have one, and then they were so happy to receive one. I’m very blessed to have led this children’s ministry and to have been able to plant a seed in all of those kiddos' hearts in hopes that someday, they will accept Jesus into their hearts.

We had an incredible year with our 5th and 6th grade Rush group! With an average of around 12 kids each week, it was a joy to walk alongside them as they explored big questions about God, themselves, and the Bible. Together, we looked at how a relationship with God should shape the way we treat others and live out our faith daily.

Throughout the year, we encouraged one another to be bold for Christ, and it’s been inspiring to witness the curiosity and growing maturity in these students. Their spiritual growth has been evident in simple acts of kindness, thoughtful questions about faith, and a genuine eagerness to learn more about Jesus.

One of the greatest privileges of serving in Children’s Ministry is seeing that moment when a child connects with God’s Word in a personal way. Their excitement and understanding are reminders of how God works in the hearts of His followers—no matter their age. It’s truly a blessing to be part of what He’s doing in this age group, planting seeds of faith that can grow for a lifetime.

It's been another incredible year in Middle School Youth Ministry — we've seen a 40% growth in participation over the past year! This isn't just a number; it's a reflection of how God is moving powerfully in the lives of our middle schoolers.

Every week, more students are coming through our doors to connect, grow in their faith, and build real, lasting community. From great small group discussions, worship, and prayer nights our ministry is becoming a place where students feel known, loved, and challenged to follow Jesus.

This momentum wouldn't be possible without the small group leaders behind it. Our youth leaders are doing more than just showing up — they're investing deeply in relationships, leading with authenticity, and creating a space where students feel safe to ask hard questions and explore their faith.

As we continue to grow, we’re committed to keeping our focus on discipleship, building strong spiritual foundations, and equipping the next generation to lead boldly. Whether it's through small group mentoring, fun events, or intentional teaching, the mission remains the same: helping middle schoolers discover who they are in Christ.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed, volunteered, and supported this ministry.
The best is yet to come!

This past ministry year was incredible and we experienced tremendous growth in our youth and our leaders. The year was filled with joy, laughter, and encouragement but it also had its share of pain, tears, and sorrow. Together we walked through both good times and hard times and sought the Lord through it all and he continues to show us that He is always good and always faithful.

We spent the ministry year working through John's gospel account with our senior students leading their small group discussions each week. We examined who Jesus is, what he taught, how he lived, how he died, how he rose, and how we can respond. We ate dried crickets together which were, admittedly, quite terrible. In the fall, four of our high school seniors shared their testimonies of how God gave them a new heart; stories of how Jesus changed their life and their eternity. This past year we celebrated the profession of faith and baptism of 19 high school students! Five of our senior students were guests on the church's Pathways Podcast and shared about TEC and the challenges teenagers face in the world today. Dozens of our students attended and worked at a TEC weekend event. In FCA, we had students give messages, lead in prayer, and lead small group discussions. In January, we had a night of worship with Friday Night Fire and heard testimonies from a panel of guest speakers. In March, we hosted our annual Spring Fling fundraiser and raised enough money to fully fund our summer mission trip to Rapid City, SD for all 38 students going. We had prayer nights which were powerful and impactful. We discussed God's design for relationships and his purpose for singleness, dating, engagement, and marriage. We closed out the ministry year with celebrating and blessing our 24 graduating seniors. Finally in June, we had an awesome and transformational week serving the Rapid City community together on our mission trip.

All of this takes great teamwork from our staff, our volunteers, our congregation, and everyone in between. We have been blessed with a body of people, the Church, who truly have a heart from God to love, encourage, and lead our youth. There is so much to be thankful for and we praise God for how He has moved in the lives of the youth throughout this past year. We look forward to the coming year with great anticipation to see how God continues to build His Kingdom by changing the hearts and lives of our youth through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

God is working through young adults who come together in His name! This past year, The Bridge has been full of growth, stepping out of comfort zones for the Lord, and stepping up in faith. We’ve seen tremendous growth in our members from the beginning of the ministry year to the end. The Bridge College Ministry Group received its name because it bridges the gap between the high school youth group and the men's and women's ministries. As leaders, we guide, love, support, and encourage young adults wherever they are on their journey to continue to lean on our Lord. Our purpose for this ministry is to grow in our relationship with God, be a reflection of His light, and come together as a Christian community to advance His Kingdom.

We started our ministry year by going through a class called “Alpha.” It was a great way to ask big questions in our lives and about our Creator. We were able to grow stronger in our relationship with God and grow together throughout our time at our small group tables.
 
As the year went on, we did multiple studies together. A typical night at the Bridge starts with sharing a meal, worshipping through music, listening to a main speaker or video lesson, breaking out into discussion groups, going through prayer requests, and then ending our night by choosing from a list of things we can put into practice during the week to come.

Our first study was a 6-week series called “Adulting” by Jonathan Pokluda, where we were able to cover the big topics that our age group has, such as God’s Will, Career, Singleness, Dating, Commitment, and Faith. Another study we did was 9 weeks in Ephesians by J.D. Greear. In this study, we learned that it is about “soul transformation, not behavior modification.” God put His power inside all of us and asks that we extend that power through us to the world.
Every first Sunday of each month was Testimony Sunday, where a member of the group was able to share their personal testimony, and then we’d break out into small group discussions. We were able to come alongside each other with our own faith journeys, supporting and pouring into others. We had our annual Christmas Party filled with worship, games, fun, and laughter. As well as a night where we served the Middle School and High School Youth Groups. 
We ended the ministry year at Jacob Krumm, filled with food, fellowship, and outdoor games. We continue to have gatherings 1-2 times each month during the summer to help build relationships with high school graduates and returning college students. Some events over the summer include Prayer & Worship Nights, a grill out at Maytag Park, sand volleyball, and having lake days with bonfires. There is so much love and support for this group from the members of the Way.

The church staff helps us with setting up our summer events, making sure there's always enough food for our members, and showing love to us. We are blessed to lead this ministry together as sisters, and that our church supports this group of young adults. 

The 2024 ministry year was another busy year at The Way. The last year was spent maintaining our current grounds and buildings while planning for the future.

The Way is continuing to grow in may different ways and the usage of the facilities reflects that greatly. We will continue to keep our facilities up to date and provide a safe and enjoyable facility to worship Jesus and enjoy in fellowship with others. Thank you for all your prayers and support as we prepare to expand and grow!

We'd also like to extend a special thank you to our A-Team crew! Thank you for coming in each week to set up and tear down tables and 9 square. We appreciate you! - The Way Staff

Faithfulness and Generosity continue to be a theme at The Way. People of The Way generously give their time and resources, and faithfully step up when a need arises.  
Do you know that The Way has approximately 200 students and leaders each week for Middle School and High School Youth Group? We serve a meal each week. That is 800 meals a month...It's not easy to prepare and serve that many hungry teenagers, but each week we have faithful servants who do just that. The kids & leaders appreciate it so much, and I know the people serving are blessed as well.  
 
We have faithful servants who generously help out when we have a special need, such as a funeral. The Way has also committed to serve a meal several Tuesday nights a year at Discover Hope. People generously give their time and resources for that ministry. Way Fest, Celebration Sunday, Men's and Women's Ministry are also other places you see faithful servants! Whenever you see food, the food team has usually had some hand in it. I am looking forward to witnessing how the Lord blesses people through food in the coming year! - Sara Van Manen

Hello everyone. I can't believe this last year has gone by so fast. Once again it has been my honor to support all the ministries provided at The Way by doing my best to provide a visibly clean and noticeably fresh environment for my brothers and sisters in Christ. An environment that supports study, worship, prayer and fellowship. Marie and I do our best to work in the background and unobtrusively. Please know that we always have your back if you need help with something before or after events. Church leadership has been helpful by supporting us with additional equipment as well as extra hours when needed to cover for events or health issue. Thank you to everyone. I really do enjoy my job and feel your support and prayers.
Beth

As I look back on the ministry year, I cannot help but be grateful for the opportunity to serve Jesus and His church in this capacity. It’s a bonus to get to do so with amazing people! My position in Congregational Care continues to grow and evolve. Whether I am meeting with members of our congregation to provide counseling, assisting our ministry partners to serve the marginalized in our community, or working with our elders to ensure that our members are well cared for, there is no doubt in my mind that each day is going to be diverse in its challenges. Yet God is the constant. He has a hand in every bit of it, and I can’t begin to describe the countless ways that I have
seen Him move.

There is no way that I can tell you about congregational care without telling you about our elders. They play such an important role in our church, and every one of them takes their calling seriously. We have over 360 members here at The Way, with 26 of them being added this year! Our team of elders does such a wonderful job at ensuring that every one of our members is loved and cared for. I’m incredibly thankful for the ways in which they step up and lead our church through selfless sacrifice.

This is the second ministry year that I have completed as a staff member. Every day I learn more about the people of the Way, a bit about myself, and far more about the incredible God that we serve. I truly believe that He has used the relationships that I have formed with our congregation to give me a better understanding of His love.

Undeservedly, it’s a position that I am incredibly blessed to have been given, and every day I do my best to steward it well.

The 2024/2025 ministry year was another one where we were successful in our efforts to reach the lost and bless the community of Newton.

This past year we conducted a number of outreach related events here on campus at The Way and off campus, to include: multiple outreach services, Way Fest, serving meals, discipleship classes open to the public, blessing our local schools and athletic teams, serving those in need, hosting a marriage conference, hosting Summer Camp, investing time and energy into our youth, as well as other little connection points throughout the year.
This past year we put up a world map outside of our worship center so our congregants could see the organizations, ministries, and missionaries we support around the world. Our outreach expands beyond the church walls and the community of Newton.

I believe one of our greatest forms of outreach is on the technology side of things. Jenn does a great job of editing and distributing audio/video from Sunday messages and our Pathways podcast. As we continue to live in the age of technology it will be important for us to stay connected to people in a culturally relevant way.

This year we welcomed Marc Headington to the outreach team as we move forward with the construction of the outreach building. We are excited to offer a space year round that will bless our community and help them stay active and connected to one another.
 
I want to encourage everyone to continue to be the greatest form of outreach there is, relational people that share the love of Jesus with others!

Prayer is a core value of our church and we take it seriously as we depend on the Lord to lead and guide us here at The Way!

Sundays are a day where our team meets early to pray over our worship team and Pastor, while also being available to pray for congregants at the end of each service. The prayer team continues to meet once a month to pray over a variety of things while also welcoming those that show up needing prayer.
 
This past year the prayer team has continued to provide prayer support and services to our church body and community. We received many prayer requests throughout the year, and God has been moving through intercession, healing, and deliverance.

We had several highlights this past ministry year in the prayer ministry. This includes our “4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice” class where many went deeper by tuning into God’s voice and journaling what they were hearing. We also had a Prayer Walk Initiative in June, in conjunction with other churches in the Sending Network. We trust that the Lord is going to move as we pray boldly through our communities! Lastly, we have enjoyed partnering with other ministries when they have had their own Prayer Nights and witnessing God’s encouragement, healing, and freedom in these discipleship ministries.
 
We are thankful for how the Lord continues to move at The Way and how we have witnessed His Goodness. We are excited to have grown the Prayer Ministry this past year, as we collectively serve the body every Sunday and throughout the week. We will continue to provide space for our people to receive prayer and give opportunities for them to respond in prayer as God leads them.

If you are interested in knowing more about how to receive prayer support or to have a conversation about how God may be leading you deeper in prayer, please contact Aaron and Tricia Groves.

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your incredible dedication and heart for welcoming everyone who walks through the doors of The Way, both at our North and South entrances, and in the main sanctuary. You truly are the first impression of our church, and your commitment to making everyone feel unconditionally welcome, just as Jesus would, is evident every single week.
 
It makes me incredibly proud to see how you consistently embody God's love through your smiles, warm greetings, and even the occasional hug or two, or three. This spirit of radical hospitality has been my goal for the Connections Team from the very beginning, and you all bring it to life beautifully. It's a testament to our church's priorities, and it’s a reflection of Jesus’ own emphasis on welcoming others without judgment. As a reminder of this important truth, here are two scriptures that speak to the heart of hospitality:
 
* Hebrews 13:2- "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some entertained angels without knowing it."
* 1 Peter 4:9- "Be hospitable to one another without complaint."
 
Thank you again for all that you do. Your unwavering commitment to showing God's love to everyone is truly invaluable.
 
Warmly,
Dave

The 2024-25 ministry year was another amazing year for the Worship Team. I am still amazed how our congregation loves Jesus and loves to worship Him. I am proud of our team for all the time and effort they put in every week, sacrificing time with their families. This year has been filled with blessings and challenges. We have been blessed with a new drummer which has been an answered prayer and I continue to be blessed by all of our team members who love worshipping Jesus. God continues to be faithful in supplying us with exactly what we need. We were challenged this year when team member(s) couldn’t fulfill their Sunday morning wordship obligations. I am grateful that other members stepped up to fill the gaps so that Sunday morning worship was not affected. The Tech Team, who I consider a part of the Worship Team, continues to do an amazing job. They put in a lot of time and effort making sure our congregation, in and out of house, get the best possible worship experience.
I look forward to the 2025-26 ministry year and I’m excited to see where God take us. I continue to pray for new instrumentalist and individuals who can one day lead our team. I also pray that God will continue to grow us as a team, taking us into a deeper relationship with Himself, so that we can bring our best offering.
-Al Law

Wow—another year has come and gone, and I continue to be in awe of how God is moving in and through our church. Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude for what we’ve experienced together in worship this past season—moments of joy, reverence, stretching, and surrender. As one of the worship leaders, it’s such an honor to serve in a church that has a heart to worship Jesus! Sometimes I even sneak my ear piece out just so I can hear the beautiful voices echo throughout the congregation. There’s something so powerful about hearing all of us lifting up the name of Jesus together!
One theme that has kept surfacing for me this year is this: We lead from wherever we are. And that’s not just about what we do—it’s about who we are. Whether we're on stage, behind the scenes running “all things” tech, welcoming someone at the door, or lifting our voices and hearts across the sanctuary, we all have the opportunity to lead with our lives. It means being open to sharing the love and hope of Jesus far beyond the church walls—living with a heart posture that says, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

I can’t go without saying how incredibly thankful I am for the leadership we have at The Way, and for the worship team I get to serve alongside. It’s such a gift to be surrounded by people who are not only talented, but hungry to grow—both musically and spiritually. Their commitment to stewarding the gifts God has given them with excellence, humility, and joy inspires me
constantly. I’m grateful for the way we encourage one another, challenge one another, and ultimately keep pointing each other back to Jesus.
Looking ahead, I’m hopeful and expectant for how God will continue to work in us and through us. May we keep growing in unity, humility, and boldness as we worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
With a grateful heart,
-Amanda

The people sing.
One of the greatest privileges I’ve had in my life is worshiping alongside my fellow members of the praise team.  The experience of the power of corporate worship has deepened my relationship with God and made me more aware of his faithfulness.

I have officially been in the assistant worship leader position for a couple of months, even though I’ve been working with Jenn on set lists and schedules for a while now.  I have enjoyed getting more involved in the planning and scheduling of this team. This past year, we have been blessed with adding vocalists and musicians, and we are thankful for these additions to the team.
There are many moving parts on Sunday mornings from the sound tech teams, camera, LED wall, and the slide people.  All of these positions are valuable and appreciated and are responsible for keeping things running smoothly.

I’m thankful for the leadership of Jenn, Al, and Amanda.  They are amazing people. We will experience challenges, but we will face them with prayer and confidence that God is faithful, knows our needs, and will provide.
 As we move into this coming year, we will continue to pray for additional musicians and look for opportunities to develop our skills.  Our goal is to encourage each other to grow in our abilities, whether that’s music, worship, leadership, or relationship with God.  
 
I see His love and mercy.
Washing over all our sins
The people sing, the people sing
(Lyrics from the song Hosanna)
-Lee

God is at work! Living transformed lives is a Core Value here at The Way. This means that we are called according to God’s purpose and must maintain a Kingdom focus in our lives that will transform our hearts and minds and conform us to be more like Jesus Christ.

Over the past year, so many people have taken the step from attending on a Sunday morning to getting more involved and connected. One hope with discipleship is to create a space where people find support and encouragement while also being challenged to step out in faithful obedience. While this looks different for each person, some ways people have stepped out in faith this year include taking a class, being baptized, and serving in a particular area. People of all ages are drawing closer to Jesus, connecting with Christian community, and stepping out in faith and obedience. It’s been amazing to witness the ways God is at work in our community.  

Here are a few highlights from Adult Discipleship.

Alpha
At Alpha, there’s nothing you can’t ask and everyone is welcome. There’s a seat at the table for everyone. Alpha is a great place to explore big questions about God. This year we offered Alpha in the fall and we partnered with The Bridge Young Adult ministry to explore topics like ‘Who is Jesus?’ and ‘Why should I pray?’ We also had an off-site retreat that focused on the Holy Spirit where we could learn about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives and spend some quiet time listening and reflecting on how God is at work in our lives. Alpha is a great ministry for anyone - invite a friend and join us!

Small Groups
Small groups are a great way to get connected with others and grow in your faith.
This year we had many small groups that met once a month in homes to reflect on Scripture, pray together, and serve our community. Small groups were able to serve in a variety of ways. Some of our small groups served a meal for the youth groups, and one group made (and filled) a blessing box for the Baxter Campus. If you’re looking to connect with other believers, this is a great opportunity!

The Journey | Mark and Cheryl Van Houweling
Another wonderful journey with a group fully committed to putting in the time and the work to know God, themselves and what role relationship plays in enhancing their Christian walk. Everyone started in a different place, but ended in the same - further than they were and no longer strangers. Everyone is a part of God's story and now have their story to build upon. The shared experience continues to be transformational.

Think Ahead book study | CJ and Pam Osborn
This eight week book study, of the book “Think Ahead” by Craig Groeschel, focused on the power of "pre-deciding" to make choices that lead to a God-honoring life. Discussions centered on identifying and implementing the seven "I will" statements or pre-decisions outlined in the book, including "I will be ready" (guarding against temptation), "I will be devoted" (prioritizing God), and "I will be consistent" (taking small steps that lead to big results). Participants explored the connection between their decisions and the direction of their lives, learning to understand the science behind decision-making habits, and finding ways to overcome common obstacles such as fear and decision fatigue. Using biblical principles and personal reflection, the group challenged and encouraged each other to live intentionally and become the individuals God has called them to be, fostering spiritual growth and practical application of faith.

Grief Share | Barb Wisgerhof & Eloise Froah
Grief Share has given many people an opportunity to find hope and comfort through their personal journey after a loved one's death. They are able to share how grief has affected their lives; and with the help of each session's video, material, and discussion they find out they are not alone in this journey. We are encouraged when we see them go from mourning to joy by the end of the 13 week sessions. We met in March and September of 2024; and we are planning a fall session plus a holiday session this year.

Mondays with Mommas | Terra Kurovski
Our mommas meet weekly in the church at 9:30am for kids to have playtime and moms to enjoy fellowship. On paper it is supposed to end around 10:45am but it tends to go later as us moms enjoy good conversations while the kiddos continue to play. Our simple and informal gatherings have been such a blessing to my family as well as many others. Moms have experienced both growth and strength in relationships through sharing life experiences, caring for each other, and praying together. Likewise, our kiddos are making new friends as well as strengthening their current friendships. They get to enjoy donuts/muffins, play with toys together, go to Aurora Park (on the favorable weather days), and sometimes burn off excess energy by chasing each other in the worship center. We continued to welcome new moms/caretakers throughout this past year whether they were staying home with children, on a maternity leave, nannying, or simply had an open day with the kiddos. Please feel free to come and join us anytime!
 
Divorce Care  | Dave Wagner
As the leader of DivorceCare for the past 13 years, I've had the privilege of witnessing God do truly amazing things in the lives of participants over the 13 weeks of the class. Having personally gone through this program two and even three times myself after my own divorce, I can deeply empathize with the range of emotions everyone feels when they first walk through our doors. People often arrive hurting, discouraged, angry, depressed, and feeling lost, separated, and even hopeless, believing there's no way out of their pain.
 
I can honestly say that every time I've led a DivorceCare class, God shows up and transforms lives. While the program doesn't solve all their issues, it consistently instills a profound sense of hope and understanding that their current struggles are but a moment in their lives, and that God is ever-present with them. He promises never to leave or forsake them during this difficult time, and as His word says, He is with the brokenhearted. I am incredibly blessed to be God's servant, able to pour out my love and support to each person who joins us. It's a true blessing to get to know every individual who walks through this journey with us.

Nursing Home Ministry
Over the past year, we have been especially connected with two nursing homes in Newton. We have had teams that go to these nursing homes to preach the gospel, lead worship, and pray with residents. These services provide opportunities for new people to hear the gospel as well as for believers to worship when they can’t make it to a church service on a regular basis.

Hope for Hurting Parents | Mike and Lisa Van Sant
Mission: We offer comfort, encouragement, and hope to parents who are walking through painful seasons—leaning on Christ as our source of strength, healing, and guidance.
Ministry Update: This year, our Hope for Hurting Parents support group transitioned from meeting in our home to gathering at The Way, creating a more accessible and welcoming space for our participants. We met monthly and welcomed new members throughout the year,
confirming the ongoing need for this ministry. Together, we worked through several key topics in the Hope for Hurting Parents Study Guide, helping parents process grief, loss, and ongoing struggles with:

• - Prodigal children (Children meaning any age, teen or adult)
• - Adult children with mental health challenges
• - Addiction and substance abuse
• - Broken relationships
• - Children who might be bringing physical harm or self-injury to themselves
• - Spiritual discouragement

We hope our group continues to be a safe, Christ-centered place where parents can bring their pain, share openly, and leave with renewed hope. We’ve seen participants grow in faith and resilience as they support one another and lean on the Lord for strength. We have been touched and encouraged as leaders continuing on our journey towards hope for the future of our prodigals.

Quilting Ministry | Vivian Huisman
The Quilting Ministry has been busy making quilts again this year! They have been sent their finished quilts to a variety of organizations. 15 adult-sized quilts have been distributed to Newton’s homeless population. 1 lap robe was given out at Park Center. Newton Caring Hands delivered 2 adult-sized quilts and 6 baby quilts. They have 15 baby/youth sized quilts left to distribute and 32 finished adult quilts to distribute. If you know of someone (or an organization) needing quilts and blankets, please let us know!

Also this year the Quilting Ministry continued their Take-Home Quilting Square Kits. Anyone is welcome to take home a ziploc bag of quilting squares, assemble at home, and then return. The Quilting Ministry will finish the quilt and distribute it with the others. They are very thankful to the numerous people who have assembled the Take-Home Kits and returned them to be finished!

My Anxious Thoughts | Cody Daugherty
As we all know, being believers in Christ does not make us exempt from bouts of anxiety, depression and loneliness. Whether we struggle with them seasonally or chronically, the enemy seizes the opportunity to isolate us from the rest of the flock. We know that the winter months in Iowa can be brutal, and after the highs of the holidays, January and February can become very low months for many.

Each ministry year we try to provide an opportunity for our congregation to combat these struggles and to connect with other believers. My Anxious Thoughts met the need very well! Centered around Rooted’s seven rhythms of discipleship (devotion, prayer, repentance, generosity, servitude, testimony, and worship), the curriculum provided a great structure for individuals to stay engaged. We covered some heavy topics in our group discussions. All 31 of our participants were incredibly willing to be vulnerable with one another in sharing their struggles. We experienced plenty of tears, but also plenty of laughter, and I have no doubt that some incredible bonds were built over the course of the 6 weeks.

Hands of Hope, Foster Care Ministry | Elisha Biehn and Kalie Braden
Hands of Hope is new this year. We have created a team that walks alongside vulnerable families within our church and community. Foster families do not have it easy and it brings so many changes. This group has a team of 4 people to offer assistance to each family. We provide weekly meals for these families, a touch person that they can talk with. But also a chance for us to share Jesus with these families. We keep in touch with the families and check-in building a bond of support through the tough times and celebrate together in the successes.  

MH4H, Impact Trip to Abaco | Pam Osborn
In February, 2025, a group of 11 from The Way embarked on a Many Hands Impact Trip to Abaco. As you might expect, the crazy wayzies welcomed 8 others from different towns in Iowa to form one cohesive team of 19. Throughout the week we served together in a variety of ways.

• Sanded drywall, hung siding and painted at Zhivago’s home
• Worshipped at a local church with Bahamian and Haitian & helped lead youth group activities
• Distributed food to those in need along with community leaders from local churches
• Attended a Bahamian Super Bowl party, which involved watching the game outside on an inflatable screen
• Assisted in the school and a community center, alongside the Many Hands teachers, to give children some personalized learning opportunities
• Harvested produce from a hydroponic farm and planted new seedlings in a medium of rice hulls & coconut shell, quite different from agriculture in Iowa
• At the end of the week, each person shared a meaningful experience from the week and how God was inspiring them towards growth
  
  

After returning home, it hit me that these trips are the gift that everyone needs but doesn’t know they need. One year our middle son gave CJ and I a clear vacuum sealed container to store coffee. For years,we had been opening and closing the bag of coffee with the cumbersome tabs, never thinking there might be a better way. Now every morning we have a new, better habit of accessing coffee that eliminates frustration.
Our lives can become so programmed and scheduled with little margin for the unexpected. We don’t make time for rest and reflection. We get stuck in a routine and don’t recognize it or don’t think there could be a better way. What if you could have a week to disconnect from devices and all the demands on your time and focus on serving others, prayer and listening for God’s voice? Have you ever stopped to think about the habits in your life that are limiting you? An Impact Trip provides space for people to process the service experiences and challenges people to think about what may need to change. It is a time to reset and think about how you want to live differently to more fully live the life God is calling you to. When we are aligned with what God is calling us to do, oftentimes some of the frustrations go away too. And we can more easily access the things that bring us peace and joy, like hassle free coffee in the morning.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Men’s Ministry
While Kingdom Builders had some transitions this past year in leadership, the mission for the men in this group has not. Kingdom Builders ministry is a space welcome to all men seeking to grow deeper in their walk with Jesus. We gather as men to dive into God’s word, worship together, pray together, and ultimately build community. We strive to push each other in our walks with the Lord and build lifelong friendships with other men. We truly do life together.
This last fall, we completed a study through the book of 1 John. Following the winter break, Kingdom Builders worked through a bible study built around the first two seasons of The Chosen. To finish out the year, we had a message about Simon Peter and a short series on forgiveness. We had multiple men step out of their comfort zones and lead the group with great messages.

We have continued to host men’s breakfasts the last Saturday of every month. These efforts are led by Jeff Fifer and Paul White. Each month men get to share a meal together, have fellowship and hear a message from a brother, in an attempt to get to know men on a deeper level. Men from this group also volunteer to assist with a series on Sundays alongside the 5 th / 6 th grade boys. The Way again had a large turnout at this past year’s Men’s Retreat at Hidden Acres. Once again, the men did what they do best; and that is serve breakfast to the youth group.

This group continues to be a blessing to not only me, but countless men in our congregation.
We have a space that welcomes all ages and stages of walks with the Lord. We truly rely on the Holy Spirit to change hearts, and untimely look for men to be different when they walk out the door at the end of the night

Women’s Ministry
Over the last year in women’s ministry we have continued to learn so much about God and His word as we have studied more scripture together. Last summer we worked our way through Isaiah as we sought to trust God more even in our hardest moments. We learned about Isaiah’s call to the people of Israel and the ways he challenged them and taught them about God’s character and correction, and His deep love and grace in the midst of it all.
In the fall we dove deep into the book of Revelation and poured over every single word. Most women agreed at the beginning of the study that they felt slightly intimidated to study such an intense book of the bible, but over the course of the study it was a great joy to see their confidence build as they learned about the call of the church and the end times.

We enjoyed two wonderful simulcast events with the women to kick off the fall and Christmas seasons. Our first event started with the cutest mobile camper coffee cart as a treat while we learned from and worshiped with Priscilla Shirer. It was a full day of learning, fellowship, enjoying lunch together, treats, and singing praises to the Lord. In December we started the Christmas season with our Prepare Him Room virtual event for the second year in a row. We centered our hearts on Jesus, the true meaning for the season, as we learned from Jennifer Rothschild. The evening was full of catered appetizers, twinkling Christmas lights, beautiful worship, and a wonderful hot cocoa bar.

After hearing from Jennifer Rothschild in our virtual women’s event, we felt led to jump into the new year with her brand new Heaven study. We looked at common questions surrounding the topic of Heaven and what the bible really says. The women gained knowledge as well as confidence about this wide topic and were excited to take their learnings with them into their workplaces, home lives, and relationships.

We are currently just over halfway through our summer study about the book of Esther. This is proving to be a powerful study as we learn about the boldness of Queen Esther and see God all over her story even though He isn’t mentioned once throughout the entire book. We have been reminded that God is always at work, even in the most seemingly mundane areas of our lives. The Lord continued to move, grow, and expand in the hearts of the women over the last year, as He always does. We saw many new women feel the call to join in women’s ministry, many never having done any kind of bible study before. We saw women grow in confidence and joy as they learned their bible in a deeper way and gained knowledge in some big subjects in Christianity. We saw chains broken as women grew deeper in their love for Jesus as they realized that no matter what has happened in their lives, in Him they are free and made new. We saw a shift in leadership as one longtime leader took a step back, and a new leader answered the call from the Lord to step out in faith. God has been so kind and generous in leading us and being so present in the midst of questions, heartache, joy, and everything in between. We are anxiously awaiting to see exactly where God plans to take us this fall, and we trust and believe He will continue to guide us and grow us as we lean on the Holy Spirit in all that we do.

It has been an exciting year at the Baxter Church of The Way as we officially launched the next phase of the satellite campus. This year we transitioned from being a livestream site with occasional live preaching to a weekly Sunday night service with live preaching and worship. A dedicated team has formed to carry out the large variety of responsibilities associated with that launch and to carry out a whole host of new opportunities in the community. The congregation of the Baxter Way is actively investing their time and resources in the community in various ways, including things like supporting the local food pantry, school, sports programs, and hosting giveaways of various kinds. The congregation has also begun to build significant friendships and connections as life is being shared both in weekly worship and through personal connection opportunities like the monthly fellowship nights. In addition to the new events, we're continuing to offer some great discipleship classes and valuable youth group opportunities for the community. We're excited about how we have seen God move this year, and we're looking forward with anticipation to see what God has planned for us next.

Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Report | The Fiscal Year 2025 runs from July 2024-June 2025.

2025 Offering Annual Totals
$1,206,788 Budget
$1,174,078 Received*
-$32,710 Offering Deficit

2025 Annual Operating Totals
$1,174,078 Income*
$1,065,775 Expenses*
$108,303 Operating Surplus**

*The Offering Received includes the $50k in Youth Missions offering and $26k in youth mission expenses. The remainder of these expenses were accounted for in the next Fiscal Year.
**This does not include $4k of interest income.

Year End Cash Balance
2025 FY Cash Balance: $1,106,402 (which includes the donations and expenses for our current building project.)

New Building Update:
At 2025 Year End, we have collected $452,260.46 (21.97% of our campaign pledge total) toward our building campaign pledge total of $2,058,465.85!
Thank you to those who are giving toward this vision to create more space toward fellowship, discipleship, youth, and outreach!

This next Fiscal Year, we will be securing a loan for our new building project of approximately $3M. It is our goal to pay off this loan within the next three years.
If you wish to give toward the Building Campaign, you can write a check to The Way with "Building Fund" in the memo or give toward the "2025-2027 Building Campaign" online. This will be accounted for separately from offering.

Thank you for your generosity in helping us meet our operating budget as we move forward into a new fiscal year. Please continue praying for how God is calling you to be a financial participant of the mission and vision at The Way.


Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Budget
The Fiscal Year 2026 runs from July 2025-June 2026.
$1,214,949 Budget*
This budget is a 0.7% increase to include the assumptions of inflation to increase salaries/wages and insurance, while offsetting the staffing hours for the Baxter Church of The Way campus.

*If you wish to receive the FY 2026 Budget Summary, please contact Tricia Groves: Tricia@theway146.com.