Check out some ways that Valley Church is seeking to serve and love the Greater Des Moines community.

Garage No Sale

On Sat, June 19, 8-11 am, we will hold the annual Garage NO Sale.  Donations will be received on Fri, June 18 from 10 am-7 pm.  To volunteer to help receive donations, set up on June 18, or to work at the event, please contact Deb.  To help the event run smoothly, we ask that donations be sorted, for instance, house wares separated from toys and clothing separated by gender and size.  No CRT computer monitors will be accepted.

Children and Families of Iowa

Greg Gear and the Rendezvous Life Group are partnering with Children and Families of Iowa to do an apartment makeover for youth in foster care who are living independently.  They have donated building supplies, games, furniture, linens and appliances.  Still to be done is the kitchen installation and flooring.

Four couples from Valley church, joined by four couples from Lutheran Church of Hope, in partnership with Elevate are being trained to mentor boys and girls who will age out of foster care at age 18.  Statistics show that 30% of children who age out of foster care end up homeless.  Another 30% end up in prison.  Most of the remaining 40% have a mentor.     
 
For more information or to see how you could help please contact Greg Gear at greg.gear@mchsi.com.

Urban Plunge

Valley Church Junior High students participate in Des Moines Urban Plunge, an experience where the students serve the poor in an urban setting right here in Des Moines. Contact Corey to find out more.

The Big Enchilada

Valley 5th and 6th graders are participating in the “Big Enchilada” where they produce frozen enchilada’s to give to homeless shelters and food banks around Des Moines. Contact Corey to get involved.

MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers)

MOPS understands your unique needs, challenges and joys in this vital season of early mothering. You will be welcomed in our MOPS group just as you are! You will have the chance to socialize with other moms, hear some great teaching and participate in creative activities. Find out more here.

Freedom for Youth

Freedom for Youth works with the homeless and at-risk teens of Des Moines. They love Des Moines by offering a free store with food and clothes once a week for the neighborhood. They focus on skill development for life work. Get more info about Freedom For Youth here.

Takin' it to the Streets

Children's Ministry is taking the Gospel on the road and "Takin' it to the Streets".  We are partnering with Freedom for Youth Ministries to provide inner-city families "Food, Fun, and Faith."  Valley families can participate together through preparing and serving food, art projects, hands-on science experiments, outdoor games, kid friendly worship and the good news of Jesus. Focused for kids grades 1-6 (accompanied by their parents), but all are welcome! This year, you can get involved on Mondays, June 14, July 12, August 9 (5:30 - 7:30 pm).

Route 56 Service Projects

Route 56, Valley's program for 5th and 6th graders, participates in numerous service projects each year. These programs, including Project Ding-a-Ling (Salvation Army), Project Day Lily, Kids Against Hunger and Operation Christmas Child, help kids get a taste of loving the community. Read quotables and learn more about Route 56's service projects here.

Help for Haiti

We are continuing to receive gifts for the Haiti Relief effort.  Stop by the church office to give. Your gifts will go to Meals from the Heartland and the EFCA Touch Global ministry who already have people on the ground in Haiti.  

Pledge Group Missional Partnerships

Vally Church Student Ministries is celebrating the launch of our new Missional Partnerships. High school Pledge small groups have chosen Missional Partners to work with for the duration of their high school years. Our Missional Partnerships include African Refugee Group (through Lutheran Social Services), Ruth Harbor, Freedom For Youth, Valley Chainsaw Ministry, Easter Seals and Senior Suite of Urbandale Retirement Home.This semester, our partnerships include cleaning up a local family's yard with the Chainsaw Crew, throwing an Easter Party for African refugees and walking in Ruth Harbor's Walk for Life. Check out the photos!

Upward Sports 

Upward Sports is a kids community sports league hosted by Valley Church “where every child is a winner.” Upward Sports is dedicated to providing the best sports experience for every child. The league emphasizes healthy competition, sportsmanship, skills building and fun! During the cheerleading and basktball season, nearly 1000 kids, coaches and fans gather on Saturdays. Check it out here or on Upward's website. Grab some friends and join in!

Disaster Relief

Valley Disaster Relief helps start the process of rebuilding after disaster strikes. Responding to hurricanes and floods, the Chainsaw Team shares God's love both locally and nationally by serving those who are hurting. Find out more information about the Chainsaw Team here and Be sure to read their story.

Serve Our Youth

Serve and support Iowa's high-risk youth through mentoring programs, visitations, spiritual guidance and provision of special needs at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center and Transitional Youth Center in Des Moines. Take a look at Serve Our Youth and learn more about volunteering here.

America's Family Coaches

Valley Church is privileged to partner with America's Family Coaches as they seek to strengthen families and marriages. Find out more about The Great Marriage Experience, Date with a Purpose and Military Marriage conferences here.

Video Messages  

Sunday messages are now available to stream in VIDEO format. Check it out here. And for iTunes user be sure to subscribe to the Valley Sermon Podcast and automatically receive Sunday sermon audio downloads. 
 
Social Networking

You can now follow Valley on facebook and twitter. 
  

For even more opportunies to love Des Moines (and beyond), check out our community outreach page.