1975-1991

A CHANGE IN MINISTERS

A special Harvest Day offering of nearly $4,000.00 was received from members and visitors on April 19, 1976, to be applied toward the building debt. Brother Charles Johnson resigned the summer of 1976 to become the Evangelist-at-Large for the C.E.M. of Iowa. During the summer, three qualified men filled in while without a minister: Joe Simcox, John Hargett, and Walter Jones.

Darrell Davis, his wife, Jean, and two children, David and Debbie, came to minister to the church in December of 1976. Brother Davis is a graduate of Ozark Bible College, in Joplin, Missouri, and had ministered in churches in Amarillo, Texas; Ashland, Kansas; and Denver, Colorado, before coming to Ankeny.

On September 11, 1977, a mortgage burning ceremony was held during the morning service. Attendance records were broken again, with 180 present. The total number of members, since the church was started in 1968, was 305.

EDUCATIONAL WING

On July 9, 1978, the congregation voted to build a new educational wing, put in central air-conditioning, and to enter into a $200,000 bond program to finance this program. The church celebrated its 10th anniversary with its two former ministers, Roger Smelser and Charles Johnson attending as guest speakers. Many former members and friends were present, as well. Ground breaking for the new building began the last week on November 1978 and the new educational building was dedicated in July 1979 with an Open House. Mayor Weigel and several guests were present for the occasion.

ASSOCIATE MINISTER

In November of 1985 an Associate Minister was added to the staff. Keith Scheible and his wife, Debbie, came to minister in the field of Evangelism and Music. Before coming to Ankeny, Brother Scheible preached on weekends in Minnesota. The membership in 1986 was 218. In November of 1987, Brother Scheible left our congregation for a ministry in Richland Center, Wisconsin.

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

On October 30, 1988 the congregation celebrated 20 years of service in the community. Part of the 20th year celebration included a mortgage burning ceremony pertaining to the educational facility, which was paid off five years early. With this mortgage retired, the congregation was completely debt free. In April 1989, Bob Terrell and his wife, Carol, came to minister with the congregation as Associate Minister. In June of 1991 the Terrell’s left our congregation for a ministry in Johnston, Iowa.

MINISTER OF YOUTH CALLED

In November of 1991, David Nassiff and his wife, Tamara, and two children, Emily and Jared, became part of the church family. David was hired as our Minister of Youth. The Nassiff’s added two more boys to their family: Brennan, and Samuel. In December of 1993, Darrell Davis left this ministry to work with the East Side Church of Christ in Des Moines. Without a Senior Minister in 1994, David Nassiff filled the pulpit ministry a majority of the time, as well as guest speakers and other men from the church.