This past year, we were committed to giving 10% (approximately $122K) 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
• Grace Church Food Pantry
• Habitat for Humanity - Gold Sponsor in Newton
• Capstone Behavioral Healthcare - supporting food boxes and local relief
• Fierce Faith Music
• Night to Shine - local event
• Samaritan’s Purse (TX flood relief)
• VantagePoint3
• Local and state First Responders through Jasper County Emergency Services banquet, National Fire and Safety Council, and Impact Iowa’s Heroes
• Youth missions through Central Iowa Teens Encounter Christ (CITEC), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and we even financed 48 youth and leaders to attend Estes Park, CO for the Rocky Mountain High youth 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; Voice of The Martyrs; YWAM (multiple missionaries in USA, Uganda, and Mexico); Mercy International (missionaries in S. India); Proclaim (aviation missionary); The Sending Network missionaries in Japan; SALT Missionaries to Japan and Taiwan; CoramDeo (missionary in Congo)

 
We have blessed our local schools and families by supporting Newton Christian School, Sully Christian School, Newton Booster Club, Newton After Prom, helping provide a charter bus for the Newton Cardinal playoff game, providing meals/support for multiple high school sports teams, blessing bags for Teacher Appreciation, and providing needed items in support of local foster families. 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% ($135k) 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!

Once again, this recap comes right after our Summer Celebration Sunday. Pastor Steve mentioned again this year, how excited and thankful he was for all of the participants and the transformational work God has been doing in people's lives; reminding us, there is still work to do.

My role has evolved a lot in the 12 years that I've been apart of The Way's staff. I have loved; and I mean it, LOVED all of my roles. My current responsibilities are communications, podcast producer, creative, IT support and most importantly, all things Sunday mornings.  When I ask myself why I love it all; outside of watching people come to know and love Jesus; one of my whys is watching other's love for Jesus compel them to serve.

Sunday mornings: While my job isn't easy, our volunteers sure make it easier.
Did you know that it takes 5 tech volunteers to make the Sunday morning service go well?
That's 5 people whose phones blow up about once every 3 months with Planning Center invites.
That's 5 people whose families sit without them in church.
That's 5 people who sit in a little room with someone else for almost 2 hours.

Thank you volunteers. Thank you. You are truly making a Kingdom impact, kicking the enemy right in the teeth. Jesus wins!

Updates, Upgrades and Milestones-
The worship center got some much needed sound upgrades this last year! This upgrade was a huge learning experience for me, and I am so happy with how it turned out.  We added more speakers to the hangers in the ceiling as well as to the stage to help us even out the sound instead of making it louder. We added the original speakers and sound system to the Fieldhouse, and let me tell you, it sounds so great over there!

I've started working on new ways to help keep our campus safe both physically but also safe from data breaches and hackers. It does happen so we have to be protected and ready. I'm also working with our website developer to create a tool that measures all sorts of analytics all in one place! Lots of websites offer this tool but it's not very secure or reliable. 

We reached a milestone of over 300 episodes of our Pathways Podcast. According to the world-wide-web, that's a pretty big deal in the podcasting world! It's one of my favorite parts of the week.
One of my recent favorite episodes is the November 26th episode about religious freedoms in schools as well as Episode 312 where Steve, Aaron and Ryan discussed the same topic.  You can listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Thank you for all of the support! Giving, prayer, service; all of it.

There is still work to do. People need Jesus. Holy Spirit, use us, empower us, guide us.

Let's get to work!

Every day at my job is different, and I really enjoy that. I handle everything from making sure the office is stocked to reaching out to volunteers. I like to help out wherever there’s a need. Meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends is always a highlight. I also support the staff to help make their workdays a little easier. I help direct phone calls and visitors to the right person in the office. I also enjoy handling purchases and keeping track of what supplies need to be restocked. No two days are alike, which keeps things interesting.

Nursery
Hello, I am Kalie Braden. I am the nursery coordinator here at the Way. I keep all the littles occupied and full of cheerios. I absolutely love being in the nursery with all of the littles and just watching their wild imaginations grow wild! I currently have a GREAT group of volunteers that help me keep the nursery going! Without them I would not be able to keep things running as smooth as they do each week. I love when the middle and high school youth come in and if they can volunteer in the nursery. I have had so many this last year come in and ask. I just love listening to how God is working in their lives while they are playing with the littles, we may even get a few questions from them too. Cheerio time still remains the biggest hit of each Sunday (we are probably who is keeping them in business). Watching them run over and line up to get their cup is one of the best parts of the day. I can't wait to see where God takes me and the nursery this next year!


Hands of Hope
Elisha and I started an exciting new ministry this last year. Hand of Hope. We work with and alongside foster families from beginning up to adoption. We have also worked with DHS and helped stock up their new break room to keep them fueled so they can keep all those babies safe.
We currently have one family that we are serving with and it's been such a blessing to walk alongside them in their journey. We take time each week to reach out and see how things are going, if there is anything we can help with and ask how we can pray for them. We meet with them every otherish week. We generally take them a meal when we visit in person and chat about how things are going, anything they are needing help with and if there is anything coming up they would like prayers about. Our current family is almost ready to adopt and we are so excited for them! Excited to see where God takes their journey!

We are currently looking to add volunteers to our team! Whether it is reaching out to pray for them, doing a visit, helping make meals....there are LOTS of ways to help!
Reach out to Elisha or I if you feel like God is calling you to help!

Hands of Hope is dedicated to wrapping around vulnerable foster families within our church and community. We have teamed up with other churches and ministries in our community to help walk alongside these families.  Foster care brings beautiful rewards, but it also comes with immense challenges and constant change. To help families navigate this journey, we pair each one with a dedicated four-person care team. These teams provide practical relief through weekly meals, offer a consistent confidant for emotional support, and open doors to share the love of Jesus. By checking in regularly, we aim to build lasting bonds of support, standing together through the tough times and celebrating every success.

We have been so blessed with the continued growth in our Children's Ministry, walking alongside so many precious little ones as they grow in their faith.  God is truly moving in the hearts of our youngest disciples!  We are constantly inspired as we observe them praying over their peers in small groups, sharing how they talked about God during the week and welcoming new children with open arms.  They bring so much joy to our church through their deep questions about our Bible lessons and how they enthusiastically pass on what they have learned to others.

Our quarterly Family Nights continue to be a highlight, offering unique, Christ-centered experiences.  These nights are intentionally designed to give parents practical, engaging ideas to spark meaningful conversations about Jesus at home.

In July, we host Little Sparks, a specialized transition program designed for our nursery graduates as they take their next big step into Rush.   We know that moving into a new ministry environment is a major milestone for young children, which is why we offer this smaller, intimate group setting to ease the shift.  We focus on building meaningful, personal connections with each child, helping them feel safe and confident through this transition.   It was a joy to guide them through the next steps in their faith journey.

We stepped into our second year of Divorce Care for Kids, which continues to be such a blessing.  This program provides a safe, supportive space where children navigating different family dynamics can process their feelings, heal, and realize they are never alone.  Teaching these little ones about Jesus and building deep trusting relationships with their families is an absolute privilege.

I’m Lauren Ratcliff, and I have the privilege of leading the 1st through 4th grade RUSH on Sunday mornings. This was my first year serving in this role, and I have learned so much along the way.
I am incredibly thankful for the trust you place in us each week with your children. We had so many familiar faces as well as many new ones this year, and it has truly been such a blessing. Transitioning from simply helping with RUSH into a leadership role has allowed me to foster and grow meaningful relationships with both the kids and our team.
This year, we also tried several new things, and it has been so encouraging to see the fruit that has come from those efforts. I could not be more thankful for my leaders and volunteers — I truly could not do this without them.

Serving in this ministry has also challenged me personally, pushing me to grow deeper in my faith and ask more in-depth questions about the Lord and His calling. I am so excited for this upcoming year and look forward to watching the Lord continue to work within our youth.

Thank you again for your support, encouragement, and prayers!

This year in our 5th and 6th grade group, Nikki and I continued to serve together, rotating every other week in teaching and leading the students. It was a joy to spend another year walking with
this age group as we explored questions about God and how a relationship with Him should shape the way we live and relate to others. Our goal throughout the year was to encourage them to grow in their faith and live it out with boldness in their everyday lives.

One of the highlights of the year was our “Serve in Church” Sunday. The students began the morning serving in the main building by helping with greeting, assisting the deacons, or joining in prayer. They then transitioned to helping in the children’s ministry for the remainder of the service. They did an excellent job stepping in with willingness and maturity, and it was a great opportunity for them to experience serving in different areas of the church body.

We also continued our boys and girls split this year, which remains a meaningful part of our program. Several men from our church’s men’s ministry, led by Nick Cummins, spent three weeks with the boys leading hands-on lessons and activities that helped them engage in practical and memorable ways.

The girls had three guest speakers who each brought something unique and impactful. Juana McConnell shared about the Newton Crisis Pregnancy Center, and the girls responded by making baby blankets to donate to that ministry. The following week, Morgan Wolfe spoke about deepening our relationship with Christ and shared how journaling has been a helpful spiritual practice in her own life; the girls then decorated their own prayer journals. We concluded the series with Lisa Van Hemert, who spoke on navigating friendships and what it looks like to build healthy, Christ-centered relationships.

It has been a blessing to see the curiosity, growth, and maturity in our students throughout the year. We are grateful for the opportunity to invest in them and to be part of what God is doing in their lives during this important stage.

As I look back on this ministry year, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for all that God has done. I've had the privilege of watching students grow in their faith, build meaningful friendships, ask important questions, and take steps toward making Jesus the center of their lives.

One of the most encouraging things I've seen this year is a growing desire among our students for a genuine relationship with Jesus. More than just attending events, students are engaging in conversations about faith, asking thoughtful questions, spending time in prayer, and seeking to understand what it means to follow Christ in their everyday lives.

I'm incredibly grateful for the volunteers who make this ministry possible. Our small group leaders faithfully invest in students week after week, and our setup teams and meal volunteers help create a welcoming environment where students feel at home. Every act of service, whether seen or unseen, helps make an eternal impact.

As I celebrate this season, I'm reminded that ministry is about more than numbers—it's about lives being transformed by the love of Christ. Thank you to every leader, parent, volunteer, and prayer partner who has supported this ministry throughout the year. I'm excited for what's ahead and expectant for all that God will continue to do in the lives of our students.

What a year.

Seriously. If someone had told us last August everything that would happen this ministry year, we probably would have laughed, cried, and asked for a strong cup of coffee. This year was full of joy, encouragement, and many memories. It was also a year that included adversity, disappointments, and hardships. Through all of it, we learned together, prayed together, and sought the Lord together. And through every high and low, God continued to remind us that He is always good, always faithful, and always at work.

If we had to summarize the year in one word, it would be “growth”. Or “a blur”. Or maybe even “herding feral cats without TNR”. Some youth nights we had 125+ high school students gathered together, which is both exciting and loud. WIth the increase in student engagement, we added 3 new adult leaders to our team. These 16 (awesome) adult leaders show up every week at youth group, at church, at extracurricular events, and in the community to support, encourage, mentor, and walk alongside our students. In addition to leading students every week, our adult leaders somehow found time to welcome 5 new babies into the world. Apparently youth ministry wasn't keeping them busy enough.

While the increase in attendance is great, the greatest joy in youth ministry is seeing the spiritual growth of our students. At the beginning of the school year, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Newton High School faced some significant challenges. We spent a lot of time praying, advocating, and supporting our student-athletes as they fought to protect their ability to meet and share their faith. It was encouraging to watch students stand firm and continue pointing their peers to Christ.

Throughout the year we worked through the book of James, asking an important question - If Jesus has truly changed our hearts, what should that look like in our everyday lives? We also spent time talking about Biblical identity, belonging, purpose, and relationships. The conversations were thoughtful, honest, and a tad awkward (as expected). Each week our student leaders helped lead small group discussions, challenge one another, and wrestle with what it means to live out their faith at school, at home, and with friends. Along the way, we were able to give 32 Bibles to students who had never owned one before.

This spring we heard seven seniors share their testimonies. Each story was different, but every one of them proclaimed the same truth that Jesus changes lives. Between our two previous Celebration Sundays, we celebrated 17 high school students publicly professing their faith through baptism. Dozens of our students participated in Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) and FCA where they served in leadership roles, shared messages, led small groups, prayed for their peers, and much more.

In March, we hosted our annual Spring Fling fundraiser. Thanks to the generosity of our church family and community, we raised enough money to fully fund all 40 students attending Rocky Mountain High this summer. A huge answer to our prayers.

We wrapped up the ministry year by celebrating our 24 graduating seniors. We are incredibly proud of them and grateful for the impact they've had on our ministry. We will miss them, but we're excited to see what God has in store for them next.

As we reflect on this year, it is abundantly clear that it takes a village. It takes parents who faithfully love the Lord and disciple their children at home. It takes teachers and coaches who help shape students' character and encourage them to become the people God created them to be. It takes good friends who influence one another toward wise decisions and deeper faith. It also takes an army of staff and volunteers who faithfully show up week after week to cook hundreds of meals, set up chairs, organize games, and restore (and deodorize) the building afterward. It takes dedicated adult leaders who generously give their time, energy, and resources to walk alongside students, celebrate their victories, and support them through life's challenges. And it takes a church family that loves and invests in the next generation.

We are incredibly grateful for every person who has played a part in what God has done this year. The fruit we've seen in the lives of our students is a testimony not only to God's faithfulness, but also to the many people He has used to love, encourage, and point them to Christ.
Most of all, we're thankful for a God who continues to transform lives through the saving work of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are thankful to be part of what God is doing and we can't wait to see what He has in store for next year.

This past year Young Adults Ministry was filled with spiritual growth, deeper faith, and lots of laughter. God continued to shape, strengthen, and guide us through every season, and we’re thankful for the impact He made this year. We look ahead with great hope, eager to see how God will continue working in and through our young adult community to advance His Kingdom.

We have welcomed new faces into the Bridge this year and gathered together to worship and learn about our Lord. All ministry year we’ve had great small group discussions, sermon videos, worship, and food.

Some of the topics we studied were spiritual warfare, anxiety, and prayer. We went through the books of Colossians and Phelmon. Our ministry year was also filled with personal testimonies of how God is working in the lives of those around us.

We ended the ministry year at Jacob Krumm, filled with food, fellowship, and outdoor games. We’ll continue to have some gatherings at the sand pits for volleyball over the summer.

The church staff has supported us faithfully through prayer, love, and ensuring our members are always well cared for with enough food. We have been blessed to lead this ministry together as sisters and trust in how the Lord will empower faithful, grounded men to step into leadership in the year ahead.

The 2025-2026 facilities year was very busy throughout the whole year. The campus continues to grow with the addition of the Fieldhouse, and regular maintenance is always finding new ways to test my problem-solving skills.

Every year I reflect on what God is doing through this position. This year was full of gratitude, patience, and trusting God’s timing… constantly.

One thing I noticed while working with the many different contractors is that they had some “God story” they wanted to share and were very grateful to work with The Way, not for The Way.  Most of the Fieldhouse building was constructed by local contractors who attend The Way or became trusted contractors for future projects or repair needs. This was an answered prayer to complete the Fieldhouse. Todd Van Maanen, Cory VanZante, Rod Van Soelen, Jeff Guthrie, and others who wished not to be mentioned provided extra hands, equipment, or finishing touches to ensure the project moved along smoothly, under budget, and on time.

I thank everyone who prayed over the project, provided valuable input, adjusted to parking shortages, and allowed me to be the general contractor. I love this church; it’s changed my life and my family’s life.

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.  
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.  
The Way began Celebrate Recovery every Monday night in January.  A meal is served to the participants, typically ranging from 30-50 people.  The leadership team of Celebrate Recovery faithfully serves the planned meal for the night, blessing the participants.  This is about another 200 meals per month that are blessing the community.
Most recently, Summer Camp Family Night offered ‘to go’ meals for families.  We had almost 190 people preregister for a meal!  Another way of blessing our community through nourishment.  
We have faithful servants who generously help out when we have a special need, such as a funeral. 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

It has been a pretty good year for us in our cleaning of this House of God.  We have been blessed by both the Lord and the people we work with and the congregation we serve.  We strive to maintain a clean and fresh environment in all areas of the Church.  It has been challenging at times with the construction and some of the weather events in the last year.  We have felt supported by the church leaders in providing needed equipment and supplies.  As well as patience, prayers, and understanding during difficult times. We appreciate all this support and look forward to serving God's children in the new ministry year. Thank you. -Beth and Marie

Reflecting on this past year, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve Jesus and this church. It’s a blessing to be part of an amazing community like this. My role as a Congregational Care Pastor allows me to connect with others in meaningful ways. Whether I’m meeting with members of our congregation to provide support, assisting our consistory, or simply being present for people in need throughout our community, I am reminded every day of the incredible love God has for us.

This ministry is truly a calling. I get to witness how God works through our church family in ways big and small. From simple acts of love to moments of deep spiritual encouragement, I see His hand in it all. Seeing our members care for one another and share their faith fills me with hope and joy. I am especially thankful for the many ways our team of elders care for our 380 members. Simply put, there is just no way that I could do it without their help.

Looking ahead to this next year, I feel excited and honored to continue growing in this role. I believe God has amazing plans for our church and community, and I’m eager to see how He will use us to continue making a difference.

Celebrate Recovery
It’s safe to say that when we launched Celebrate Recovery in January, neither I nor the leadership team knew what to expect. We just trusted that God had called us to it. Each week we choose to focus on loving people well as they work through their hurts, habits and hangups. Jesus, in all his faithfulness, continues to prove that his grace is more than sufficient, and I am blown away by the response from the many who attend each Monday night.

God has built such a great community of people at Celebrate Recovery, and they genuinely care for one another. Some who attend Celebrate Recovery call The Way their church home, but many do not. Some have a history of substance use, but a great many do not. I find that to be one of the unique and beautiful dynamics about the ministry. God has developed a welcoming atmosphere and culture that through word of mouth has proven to be the perfect invitation for people who are struggling with anything. Celebrate Recovery isn’t just for the addict or alcoholic. It’s truly for everybody.

I have no doubt that God will continue to use this ministry to his purpose, and I am excited to see what he is going to do through it as we grow. Lastly, I’m incredibly thankful for our leadership team, who serves so selflessly each week. I’m honored to serve beside them and to call them family.

The 2025/2026 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 Summer Camp, investing time and energy into our youth, as well as other little connection points throughout the year.

We continue to support missionaries and organizations that extend beyond the walls of our church. You can find out more about those if you go to the wall map outside of our worship center and scan the QR code under the missionary / organization. Our hope is to continue to offer support so we can have a ripple effect for God’s Kingdom beyond our own community. 

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 also saw the completion of the Fieldhouse. I believe this new space will bring people onto our campus that would never otherwise step foot on a church property. The Fieldhouse provides a unique opportunity to bless and love on people as they gather to exercise, play sports, and gather with friends. We have already seen young men and women who don’t go to church, using this space to gather with friends for physical activity and growing deeper in their faith with Jesus by studying His Word. Thank you to everyone who made this space possible!

Starting this ministry year, I will be forming an outreach team to better reach the lost and bless our community.
Let me know if you are interested in being a part of this, aaron@theway146.com.

I want to encourage everyone to continue to be the greatest form of outreach there is, relational people that share the love of Jesus Christ with others!

"I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations." — Isaiah 56:7
God calls His churches to be houses of prayer and that is why it is one of our Core Values at The Way! Through prayer, we surrender, listen, and grow in intimacy with our Heavenly Father. We trust in His Greater Ways, knowing The Voice of our Good Shepherd—for nothing we do matters apart from Him.

Our Prayer Life in Action
Over this past year, the Holy Spirit has moved powerfully through intercession, healing, and deliverance. We have witnessed God’s love, encouragement, healing, peace, and freedom as individuals lean in and surrender. We praise God for all that He has done and we keep seeking Him through prayer opportunities!

• Sunday Services: Our Prayer Team prays over the Pastor, worship team, volunteers and church; and they are available to pray with congregants at the end of every service. 
• Revive Thursdays: Join us in the Worship Center every Thursday from 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM for quiet reflection or to receive personal prayer.
• Second Saturdays: The prayer team gathers monthly (3:30 PM - 4:30 PM in the Worship Center) to lift up various needs and welcome those seeking prayer or quiet time of reflection.
• Leadership & Support: We ensure prayer guides our leadership decisions and provide ongoing prayer support to our church family and local community. We hope to continue partnering with discipleship ministries during dedicated prayer nights.
• Equipping the Saints: Prayer Team facilitators successfully led the Words with God book study this past Spring, helping individuals deepen their personal prayer walks with Jesus. We plan to bring more opportunities in the year to come.
  
  

Looking Ahead
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." — Luke 11:9 
What is stopping you? God is inviting us, The Church, to ask, seek, and knock. We will continue providing sacred spaces and opportunities for our people to respond in prayer as God leads, while deepening their own personal relationships with Jesus.

If you would like to receive prayer support or have a conversation about how to deepen your prayer life, please contact Aaron and Tricia Groves. You can also explore our Newton Church of The Way site for more ways to connect.

I want to pause and tell you how deeply grateful I am for each one of my volunteers we have here at the Newton Church of the Way. Week after week, they show up with genuine joy, compassion, and a heart that reflects Jesus so clearly. Whether you’re greeting people at the North or South entrances or welcoming them into the sanctuary, they’re the very first experience anyone has at The Way — and they make that experience extraordinary and is what sets The Way apart from other churches. My opinion….

The smiles, warmth, and the willingness to offer a hug (mostly me…. lol), and their consistent spirit of hospitality brings to life the vision I’ve had for this team since day one God put it on my heart. You don’t just greet people — you minister to them, love them, get to know them. You make The Way feel like home the moment someone steps inside our church.

This kind of hospitality is central to the heart of Jesus, and Scripture reminds us of its importance:
Hebrews 13:2 — “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
1 Peter 4:9 — “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”

Our team lives these truths beautifully. They make our church a place where anyone — regardless of their past, their pain, or their story — can feel welcomed, valued, and loved. Their commitment matters more than people know, and I am truly grateful for each of them. I am very blessed how God has moved these past 17 years.  Wow 17 years!!!!

It has been an honor to serve as the Worship Leader at Newton Church of the Way this last year. During the 2025-26 ministry year, we have seen God move in powerful ways, week after week. I am so grateful for each worship team member, their love for God, their hearts for worship and the time they spend preparing for every service. I am very grateful for their families and the time they allow each team member to spend in this ministry. Our goal continues to be to honor and glorify the name of Jesus, to develop relationships within the team and with the congregation so that we are of one mind as we worship our Lord Jesus. We continue to pray for new instrumentalists to grow our team and trust that the Lord will provide.  May our Lord continue blessing Newton Church of the Way and this worship team as we dive deeper into His presence. - Al

Wow—what a year it has been! I’m so thankful for the ways God continues to move in our church and within our worship ministry. This season has challenged us to grow, stretch, and intentionally sharpen the gifts and abilities God has entrusted to us—not only musically, but spiritually as well.
I feel like the Lord keeps reminding us to keep our eyes open to where He is leading. Sometimes He calls us into places we may not naturally choose or fully understand, but we continue learning to trust Him and say, “Lord, Your will be done.” I’m incredibly grateful for the leadership at The Way and for every person who serves on our worship and tech teams. It’s such a blessing to serve alongside people who truly feel like family—people who pray for one another, encourage each other, and carry each other’s burdens. Together, we serve by using our gifts to glorify the Lord, lead others into worship, and point people to Jesus Christ! As we step into another year, my prayer is that we continue growing together in unity as the Church—the Body of Christ—keeping our eyes on Jesus and following wherever He leads. - Amanda

I’m Lee Smith, and I’m one of the worship leaders for our church.  I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Worship Team in various capacities over the last 14 years. Time really does fly!
Each week, I schedule our teams and put together the setlist, and on most Sundays,  you can find me behind the piano. I’m excited to share that we recently implemented an online training program for our volunteers.  We subscribed to this platform to help us grow both individually and as a team.
Worship ministry comes with its challenges, but the rewards far outweigh them.  Our goal as a team is to worship with hearts fully surrendered to God and to lead others authentically in worship.
You are all amazing, and there’s nothing like hearing our church family lift their voices together in worship.

Every year in May I ask the leaders to send in a write up about how God has been working in their ministry over the last year in order to compile this Annual Report. And then I get to read all of the submissions as they are returned. It is truly so AMAZING to see how God is at work in all areas of the church, from little ones growing in Jesus to ministering to shut-ins at the nursing home. God is on the move in all ages and stages of life! What a blessing that His church gets to be a part of this! And this year is no different - I’m so thankful for how God is at work. I’m constantly encouraged by stories of people taking steps of faith to be obedient to Jesus and watching them grow in the process. I’m thankful for our leaders who give of their time, energy, talents, resources, etc so that others can know Jesus and grow in him. So thank you to all who have stepped out in faith! If you’re feeling that tug on your heart to step out in faith, here are some highlights from discipleship this year. Prayerfully consider how God might be calling YOU to plug in to His kingdom work!

Small Groups. Various Leaders

In General:
“Some of our greatest friendships have been formed with people in our small group.” This is a sentiment I hear regularly. Small groups are a great way to get connected, grow in your faith, and do life with other believers. Small groups at The Way are made up of people of mixed ages and life stages. The hope is that they are just as diverse as the body of Christ and that you will get to befriend some people you normally may not run into! Small groups meet once a month in homes to reflect on Scripture, pray together, and serve our community. They are also encouraged to serve in a variety of ways. If you’re looking to connect with other believers, this is a great opportunity!

From One Small Group:
With every new ministry year, new groups of believers are created.  What a joy it is to meet new people, get to know each other on a deeper level, and provide support for each other throughout the year.  This year was a great mix of varying ages and life stages.  We were able to gather in 4 different locations throughout the year and always had more delicious food than we could handle.  This was our first time leading a group, so we had a plan and agenda all figured out, but what we soon discovered is that the Holy Spirit was leading in such a powerful way, we just needed to be present and have open hearts, which was better than our plan anyway.  We served a youth group meal; it's always fun to love on the kids.  There were a few times we had a Q&A session - pick 2 questions from the bucket and answer one of them.  Some of the questions led to deeper discussions on faith, our personal journeys, and even butterflies!  It was truly a blessing to be a part of this group -  Jay and Kelly Koenen

From Another Small Group:
A little about our small group this year! We started off the year with Dustin and I sharing our testimony and encouraging the others to do the same. I do believe most everyone did at some point throughout the year. We worked through the book of James, had great conversations, prayer, and fellowship. Around Christmas a few of us went Christmas caroling to a couple of nursing homes . We volunteered to serve a meal to the youth group one night. At the end of the year we got together for ice cream at Culver’s. Overall it was a great year!  –Dustin and Juana McConnell

From Another Small Group:
One of the greatest blessings of our small group was the opportunity to grow in faith while doing life together. We gathered monthly in one another's homes, sharing meals, enjoying meaningful fellowship, and encouraging each other in our walks with Christ. We often spent time discussing and recapping Sunday's sermon, helping us apply God's Word to our daily lives and learn from one another's perspectives. By rotating homes, each family had the opportunity to host and serve the group, creating a welcoming and shared sense of community. Beyond meeting together, we also looked for ways to serve others by serving meals for youth group and making freezer meals for foster families in our community. These moments of fellowship and service reminded us that the Christian life is not meant to be lived alone but in community, loving God and loving others together. -Mike and Kelsey Miranda

Systematic Theology
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine is a book written by Wayne Grudem that takes an in-depth look at the seven Biblical doctrines of the Christian faith. These doctrines include the doctrine of the Word of God, of God, of man, of Christ and the Holy Spirit, of the application of redemption, of the church, and of the future. We explore big topics and look at some hard questions. It makes you think deeply about what the Bible says while talking through how it applies to your life. Taking Systematic Theology helps to form a Biblical worldview that provides a foundation for all of life.  This year we had 13 people take Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. The class was led by Kirk Douglas, Dian Frost, and Marcy Milburn. We completed lots of reading, had great discussions to dig into the material, and spent time in prayer.

Nursing Home
Over the past year, we have continued ministering to residents in two nursing homes in Newton. Each of these nursing homes reached out and specifically asked for us to send a group in to do a Bible study or lead a church service, which is how we got started. We have one group that goes to Accura East on the first Sunday of each month. Another group serves at Traditions every Tuesday. Each of the groups preaches the gospel, leads worship and singing, and prays with residents. It is a blessing to be able to ministry to a group of people who are not able to make it out or to church on a regular basis. This group is lead by Marcy Milburn, Betty Nikkel,  Amanda Meyer-Smith, Julie Jones and Brenda Ford.

Griefshare and Holiday Event
Grief Share classes have 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, work book 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 had classes in September of 2025 and March of 2026; we are planning to have a fall and holiday session later this year. - Barb Wisgerhof and Eloise Froah

Hope for Hurting Parents
Hope for Hurting Parents exists to offer comfort, encouragement, and hope to parents walking through difficult seasons with their children. We desire to provide a safe, Christ-centered space where parents can find support, share openly without judgment, and be reminded that Christ is our source of strength, healing, and hope.
Throughout the year, we continued to meet monthly and welcomed new participants, reaffirming the ongoing need for this ministry. Parents facing many different circumstances found support, understanding, and hope as we journeyed together through portions of the Hope for Hurting Parents Study Guide. While every family's story is unique, we continue to find that our experiences often connect in meaningful ways. This shared understanding has been a tremendous blessing.

Topics discussed included:
Prodigal children (teens and adult children)
Mental health challenges
Addiction and substance abuse
Broken family relationships, especially navigating the holidays
Self-harm and other situations where children may be causing physical harm to themselves
Spiritual discouragement and maintaining hope through difficult seasons
Enabling vs. helping

Our prayer is that Hope for Hurting Parents continues to be a place where hurting parents encounter God's love, receive biblical encouragement, and build meaningful relationships with others who truly understand their journey. We have witnessed participants grow in faith, resilience, and hope as they encourage one another and trust God through all of life's challenges.
As leaders, Mike and I are deeply grateful for this group and for the opportunity to meet and connect with these parents over the past several years. We continue to learn as we walk alongside together through both the joys and the hardships of life. God is at work in every story, even when we cannot yet see the outcome. As we continue our own journey with our prodigals, we remain confident in God's faithfulness and look toward the future with hope. - Mike and Lisa Van Sant

The Journey
We guided five sisters and brothers in Christ through a process of discovering God's presence in their lives by courageously exploring their personal stories – the good and the bad. Through reflection, prayer, and community, participants recognized God's faithfulness in their past and His ongoing work in their present lives and relationships. As trust and vulnerability grew, so did a deeper awareness of God's love, purpose, and calling. The Journey concluded with the formation of spiritual community and a commitment to using our unique gifts, experiences, and callings to actively contribute to God's Kingdom.
- Tim and Kari Hemann

2026 Many Hands Impact Trip to Abaco
Learning to Row with Purpose
Life often presents hardships which can be used as an opportunity to trust God on a deeper level.  This year’s Many Hands Impact Trip to Abaco was full of surprises and challenges.  In the midst of struggles, we don’t always understand the “why” or have a clear idea of the path forward.  It is much like traveling down an unknown river in a rowboat-the kind where the seat faces the rear.  We cannot see the future, the white waters or the sharp turns ahead.  

However, we believe that when you surrender to Christ, He becomes the Guide in the bow of your life’s rowboat.  Surrender doesn’t mean sitting still. He gives you unique gifts as your oars and calls you to row.  We cannot sit idly or the boat will be tossed by the current.  We must grab the oars and row, listening closely to the gentle directions from Jesus.  The destination of every Impact Trip is a transformed heart that knows its purpose and more fully trusts Jesus at the bow of the boat.  

A life of purpose isn’t found by drifting; it’s built by intentional action, one oar stroke at a time.  Through this Many Hands Impact Trip, 21 people stepped into the rowboat and took hold of their oars and learned to row in unison alongside one another and the Many Hands partners in Abaco.  The water was not always smooth, but we put our trust in Jesus as our guide and grew with grit and grace together.  

On February 10th, 2026, our team of 21 met at the Des Moines Airport to begin our journey. Our group included old friends, soon-to-be lifelong friends, and 6 energetic youth who brought incredible life to our mission. Throughout the week, we connected deeply through meaningful experiences and shared stories:
Restoring Homes & Hope: We tackled painting, insulating, and drywalling at Tracey’s house—a single mom who has been displaced from living with her two sons since Hurricane Dorian. We also cleared brush at Pastor Knowles' farm and cleaned up a yard for another local family.

Serving the Next Generation: The team served breakfast to over 200 youth at Central Abaco Primary School (CAPS), joined local youth Growth Groups (G2) at Kirk of the Pines, and shared a meal with local boys’ basketball team - building vibrant relational bridges.

Community Connection: Alongside local church leaders, we distributed food and supplies to 10 families, taking the time to listen to their personal stories and pray over their needs.
Cultivating Joy: We led a Valentine’s-themed Reading Picnic at CAPS featuring group storytime, games, crafts, snacks and take-home gift bags. We also spent an afternoon  exploring Long Dock beach where we encountered many sea creatures.

Embracing Culture: To fully immerse ourselves in Bahamian culture, we attended worship at Grace Bible Church, learning to praise God through skipping and dancing. We also toured a local hydroponics farm and stood on the potential new Many Hands property, praying over the future of that space.

At the end of the week, the beautiful connection of our stories came to life. Each person shared their individual "Impact Story"—a testament to how a week of authentic relationships and shared hardships inspired personal growth and a renewed sense of purpose.

Moving forward with Confidence
The further we travel down the river, trusting in Jesus at every turn, the greater perspective we have on our journey and our purpose. It is imperative to look back and see how God has provided protection, guidance, and peace as we traveled the tumultuous waters. A person rowing with purpose returns home with powerful new fuel to inspire others to begin their own journey. As we reflect on the smooth and rough waters of this past trip, we are more aware than ever of God’s faithfulness and goodness. We face the future with the freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12) that comes from knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love God and have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). - Pam Osborn

A Way of Life
Leading the Way of Life class this season was an incredibly rewarding privilege.  Over the course of 21 weeks this group committed themselves to an intentional journey of spiritual formation learning to honor God in every single step of daily life.  Through our time together we worked through deeply personal seasons, shared our vulnerabilities and built authentic, lasting relationships rooted in Christ.  The impact of this class went far beyond our once-a-week meeting.  Taking everyone to our workplaces and examining how we could intertwine God's presence with our daily routines and ordinary tasks was very meaningful.  - Zack and Elisha Biehn

Rooted
CJ and Pam Osborn had the opportunity to lead a “Rooted” class during the fall season of 2025 at Newton Church of The Way. Rooted is a 10-week discipleship experience designed to help participants deepen their faith, build strong community, and establish rhythms of daily devotion, prayer, and service.
“We were encouraged by the group of twelve participants, who displayed a high level of engagement, support for one another, and a strong commitment throughout the entire 10-week journey. Their willingness to share, grow, and invest in the process created a positive and meaningful environment for everyone involved.  A great fellowship was cultivated during the class, and the group has continued to connect, serve and grow.  It was truly a great class, and we are grateful for the experience and the relationships that were built along the way.” - Pam and CJ Osborn

Mondays with Mommas
Our 'Mondays with Mommas' ministry has continued to be a wonderful blessing this past year. Each week, moms, caretakers, and children gathered for playtime, conversation, encouragement, and prayer. While our official meeting time was from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., many mornings stretched a little longer as friendships grew and conversations continued. The informal gatherings have provided meaningful opportunities for moms to connect, share life together, support one another, and pray for each other. At the same time, the children have enjoyed making new friends and strengthening existing friendships through play and shared activities. Over the past year, 12 different moms and caretakers attended our gatherings, representing three communities and two churches. We were also excited to welcome three new moms with their five children ages 3-5.  Among our group of mom's, we also had five newborn babies this year. The kids enjoyed donuts and muffins, playing with toys, trips to Aurora Park, and plenty of opportunities to run and play together. We are thankful for the friendships, encouragement, and sense of community that have grown through this ministry. In the near future, we look forward to utilizing The Way Fieldhouse during our gathering times, giving us more space to connect and play. Over the summer, we will continue to meet for the months of June and August and we would love to have you join us for fellowship! - Terra Kurovski

“Words with God” book study 
The subtitle, “Trading Boring, Empty Prayer for Real Connection,” is an apt, concise description of this new book on prayer by Addison Bevere. We spent 6 weeks exploring how while we tend to approach prayer transactionally, God yearns for us to come to him relationally; while we want to figure out an effective methodology and structure for prayer, God wants us to simply come and “Start the conversation.” Together we learned that confession is not for God, it’s for us; that three simple words, “I am here,” wedged between ordinary moments of everyday life, can lead to abiding Presence; and that forgiveness has an awful lot to do with surrender. It was a rich, meaningful journey. – Don and Cynthia Freeman

Operation Finding Freedom
Over the past year, Operation Finding Freedom continued to welcome several veterans to our gatherings. We have had folks from the Korean war years through the Global War on Terror.
We have finished the books of Samuel and are working through Kings, highlighting how we can find Jesus in nearly every story. The bond often found in veteran groups has played a part in our discussions, as well as the friendly inter-service rivalries. We are well represented by all of the Armed Services and continue to reach out to Veterans to join in our fellowship.
Operation Finding Freedom continues to meet over the Summer on the first Friday of the month and all veterans are welcome to join us for some Christian fellowship and veteran camaraderie.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor 3:17 - Kirk Douglas

Quilting Ministry
The quilting group made 89 quilts this year! The quilts were donated to various places in Newton, Altoona, and the South Sudanese ministry. Our quilters have greatly appreciated everyone who has picked up a quilting pack and assembled these at home. This has allowed us to complete so many quilts this year! If you’re interested in quilting and can’t join us on a Thursday morning, you can take a quilting pack home. They are located by the south door of the Discipleship Center. Just return when you’re done and we’ll put the final touches on! Also be sure to check out the quilts on display by the south door of the Discipleship Center! We are so thankful to be able to serve our community in this way.  - Vivian Huisman

Men’s Ministry
Kingdom Builders is for all men to discover and deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ and each other.  We gather to dive into God’s word, worship together, pray together, and build community.  We strive to push each other in our walks with the Lord and build lifelong friendships with other men.

This past ministry year, we started with a study through the book of James, and talked about how our lives should look as men surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ.  Following the winter break, Kingdom Builders worked through a bible study of Titus via a book & video series called “The Titus Ten” by Pastor J. John Smith.  To finish out the year, we had a series about Spiritual Warfare.  We had men step up and out of their comfort zones and lead the group with great messages, and provide food and treats for our meet-ups.  Special thanks to Pastor Aaron Groves and Pastor Ryan Kurovski for speaking to the men on different evenings, and thanks to Jeff Roush and Josh Britton for their musical talents and leading worship.

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 together to share a meal, 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 5th / 6th grade boys. The Way again had a large turnout at this past year’s Men’s Retreat at Hidden Acres.

We offer a space that welcomes all men, all ages and all stages of walks with the Lord. We truly rely on the Holy Spirit to change hearts, and ultimately look for men to be different when they walk out the door at the end of the night.

Women’s Ministry
Women’s Ministry kicked off the new ministry year in the Fall with the 8 week “The Way of Wisdom” study by Jen Wilkin, Ruth Chou Simons, Kelly Minter, Adrienne Camp, Elizabeth Woodson, and Courtney Doctor. This study took us on a journey through Proverbs as we learned practical ways to choose godly wisdom over folly in our everyday lives. We discussed how the path to righteousness is narrow and to remain on this path we must seek His wisdom, not our own understanding, in every situation, small and large. This study was a bit different than past studies with six authors teaching
rather than only one. Each author has their own unique way of teaching, and it was fun to experience a new style of study each week.

We held another Prepare Him Room event in December, readying our hearts for the Christmas season. This year’s simulcast was led by Kelly Minter with the focus on intentionally creating space to seek Jesus in the busyness of all the Christmas festivities. We enjoyed catered food, a hot chocolate bar with all the fixins, worship and fellowship. It was a great evening had by all.

After Christmas we delved into the 7-week study “Daring Joy” by Nicole Zasowski. Each week we looked at a new woman of the Bible and how each experienced and sought joy. The biggest takeaways from this study were identifying where we allow the world to steal or stifle our joy and how we can always find joy, regardless of our circumstances, because Jesus is the source of our joy.

We rounded out the ministry year, starting a few weeks after Easter, with the five-week study by Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, “Body of Proof, a Study on the Resurrection of Jesus”. Many women enjoyed the shorter length of this study during the busy season that accompanies Spring and end of the school year activities. The teaching videos associated with each week’s study were shot on site at various historically significant locations in Jerusalem. During this study we looked at the indisputable evidence of Jesus’ resurrection and what that means for us as believers.

In addition to the specific Bible studies mentioned, Women’s Ministry also met between studies for Bring Your Bible. In the Fall we read and discussed some chapters from the book “Sincerely Stoneheart.” This book is written in the spirit of “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis, but from the perspective of a modern woman. Although small, the group held many great discussions and discovered ways in which the enemy slyly attempts to turn us from God and indulge in our brokenness and human desires. Between the Winter and Spring studies we worked our way through Lamentations. While a bit of a harder read, it was such a blessing to see where the author cries out to the Lord because of the Israelites circumstances but never loses faith in God’s redeeming power.

New this ministry year was the start of Sisters at The Table Women’s Breakfast! Monthly the women gathered in The Way Café and enjoyed coffee, a light breakfast, fellowship and hearing testimonies of how God has, and is working, in our lives. It has been really neat to see new friendships form and established friendships deepen during this time of fellowship. The breakfast officially runs from 8:00-10:00, but many of those mornings you could find us well past 10:00 still chatting away!

Women’s Ministry underwent another leadership change this past ministry year. Alexis decided to take some time away from Women’s Ministry following the birth of her fourth child. After much prayer, Katie Dougherty answered the call to assist with leading the women of The Way and stepped into her role in January. Katie has been such a wonderful addition to Women’s Ministry and the love of Jesus that is within her is palpable, she has blessed so many women with her gift of prayer, counsel, and Leadership.

2025 was a great year for Women’s Ministry and we look forward to seeing what the Lord will do in 2026-2027!

It has been another exciting year at the Baxter Church of The Way as we continue to grow and deepen our impact in the community. Throughout the year, we have seen increased involvement from both attendees and volunteers, allowing us to expand several areas of ministry and outreach.

One of the highlights of the year was the launch of our nursery ministry, creating a welcoming environment for young families and providing additional opportunities for parents to participate in worship and fellowship. We also hosted a very successful Vacation Bible School that brought children and families from throughout the community together for a week of learning, fun, and connection.

Our commitment to serving Baxter continues to grow. Through fundraising efforts and donations, we have been able to provide financial support and supplies to various city and school organizations. We also hosted our annual Halloween community event, where volunteers served approximately 250 hot dogs and connected with many local families.

In addition to these outreach efforts, we have continued to strengthen our ministry through new initiatives, including the launching of a new website, baxterway.org and the launch of sermon recordings, allowing us to better connect with people both inside and outside our congregation.

Most importantly, we continue to see meaningful relationships being formed. We are grateful for all that God has done this year and look forward with anticipation to what he has planned for the future of the Baxter campus.

Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Report | The Fiscal Year 2026 runs from July 2025-June 2026.

2026 Offering Annual Totals
$1,214,949 Budget
$1,316,721 Received*
$101,772 Offering Surplus

2026 Annual Operating Totals
$1,316,721 Income*
$1,102,676 Expenses*
$214,044 Operating Surplus**

*The Offering Received includes the $54k in Youth Missions offering and the Expenses include $57k in youth mission expenses ($14k paid out from the 2025 Youth trip and the remaining was for the 2026 trip. Any remainder 2026 youth mission trip expenses are accounted for in the next Fiscal Year).
**This does not include the building income or expenses.

Year End Cash Balance
2026 FY Cash Balance: $41,025.64 (which includes the donations and expenses for our current building project.)
Note/Loan is ready as we need to borrow.

New Building Update:
At 2026 Year End, we have spent approximately $2.47M on the new building and we have collected $1,418,298.09 (68.9% of our campaign pledge total) toward our building campaign pledge total of $2,058,465.85. We are on track to come in below the $3M projected cost of the building.

Due to cash flow and generosity, we did not have to borrow this Fiscal Year. Praise God! We are so thankful for how the Lord has provided through this generosity and for allowing us to be in a healthy financial standing as we aim to pay off the Fieldhouse building quickly.

Thank you to those who are giving toward our mission and vision and for those who have given above offering toward the Fieldhouse. It has been amazing to watch how God is already using that space for fellowship, discipleship, youth, and outreach and we are seeing Kingdom impact. Thank you for being a part of it!

If you wish to give toward Offering or the Building Campaign, you can give by cash/check in the offering or at the office, or you can give by credit card online. We also have ACH and grain/stock contribution options. Feel free to reach out for more information on how to give.

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 2027 Financial Budget
The Fiscal Year 2027 runs from July 2026-June 2027.
$1,352,043 Budget*
This budget is an 11.3% increase to include the assumptions of an increase of insurance, utilities, staffing and maintenance cost with the Fieldhouse building. Also included was the inflation increase for salaries/wages. With the increase to budget, we have also increased our benevolence to remain at 10% of our budget.

*If you wish to receive the FY 2027 Budget Summary, please contact Tricia Groves: Tricia@theway146.com.