The Baptist Convention of Iowa is strengthened by churches that voluntarily partner together for the sake of the gospel. Through cooperation in the Cooperative Program, a shared doctrinal statement, and a shared mission, churches across Iowa join together to support missions, church planting, leadership development, and ministry across the state and around the world.
We are grateful for each these churches and excited to welcome them into the BCI family.
In 2025, ten new churches joined the BCI partnership. Some of these congregations are newly planted churches, while others are established churches that chose to affiliate with BCI because of shared convictions and mission. While several churches were confirmed to have closed last year, the number of new churches joining our partnership exceeded those losses, a reminder that God continues to raise up new congregations and new ministry opportunities.
Collins Christian Church – Collins, Iowa
Pastor: Currently seeking a pastor (Interim Pastor: Chris Silver)
Collins Christian Church has been a place of worship in the Collins community since the late 1800s. The congregation gathers weekly for fellowship, worship, prayer, and Bible teaching as they seek to grow in Jesus and make Him known. The church is involved in several outreach efforts both locally and globally and recently chose to affiliate with BCI. While they prayerfully search for a full-time pastor, Chris Silver is serving as interim pastor.
Park Church – Des Moines, Iowa
Pastor: Brad Pausley
Park Church is a newer congregation serving the east side of Des Moines. Formed by people from a variety of backgrounds, the church shares a common vision to see the gospel reach their neighbors. Their ministry emphasizes being gospel-saturated, Word-centered, community-focused, and mission-driven. Park Church joined BCI through affiliation in early 2025.
Communauté Chrétienne de Bérée – Burlington, Iowa
Pastor: Saintane Borgela
This congregation serves the Haitian Creole-speaking community in Burlington along the Mississippi River. Pastor Saintane Borgela previously served for many years as a pastor within the Southern Baptist Convention in Florida before moving to Iowa. Seeing the need for a church among Haitian families in the area, the congregation was planted to serve and disciple this growing community.
Highland Park Community Church – Des Moines, Iowa
Pastor: Philip Herman
Located in the Highland Park neighborhood of Des Moines, this church seeks to reflect the diversity of its surrounding community. The congregation values authenticity, welcoming people from every background to gather for worship and spiritual growth. Their desire is to be a church that truly looks like the neighborhood it serves, celebrating racial diversity and cultivating genuine community.
Iglesia Faro de Esperanza – Des Moines, Iowa
Pastor: Daniel (José) Giron
Iglesia Faro de Esperanza is a Spanish-speaking church plant in Des Moines currently meeting at the Walnut Creek Windsor Heights facility. Pastor Daniel José Giron previously pastored in Des Moines and felt called to begin a new congregation focused on serving and discipling Spanish-speaking families in the community.
Poder y Gracia – Nevada, Iowa
Pastor: Silvestre Rangel
Poder y Gracia Nevada is a Spanish-speaking church plant connected with the Poder y Gracia congregation in Des Moines. Pastor Silvestre Rangel and his wife Mariie are faithfully serving while balancing ministry, work, and family responsibilities. The church is already seeing encouraging response among the Spanish-speaking community in Nevada.
First Family Church Español – Ankeny, Iowa
Pastor: Pablo (Ashley) Miguez
Launched by First Family Church in Ankeny, this Spanish-speaking congregation gathers weekly for worship in the church’s facility. The ministry is currently under the leadership and support of the First Family elder team while the congregation grows and develops among Spanish-speaking families in the area.
The Acreage Church – West Union, Iowa
Pastor: Shane Rothlisberger
Pastor Shane Rothlisberger previously served for many years at Cornerstone Church in Ames before returning to his hometown in northeast Iowa. The Acreage Church was launched near West Union with a vision to reach people in rural communities throughout the surrounding region.
Anthem Hill Church – Alvaton, Kentucky
Pastor: Matt Mabry
Anthem Hill Church was planted by Keystone Church near the college town of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Because Keystone is a BCI church, Anthem Hill maintains its partnership with BCI as well. The church is also part of the Salt Network, which plants churches in college communities across the country.
Veritas Church of Urbana – Urbana, Iowa
Pastor: Jordan Howell
Veritas Church of Urbana previously operated as a campus of Veritas Church in Cedar Rapids before launching as an autonomous church. The congregation is experiencing steady growth and is already pursuing a capital campaign as they begin to outgrow their current meeting space.
We are grateful for these churches and look forward to the ways God will use them to advance the gospel in Iowa and beyond.
why give to the cooperative program?
One distinctive of Southern Baptists is that they come together to give toward greater ministry. The Cooperative Program is the way that we partner together to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ in our country and around the world.
