Westchester Evangelical Free Church

Westchester Evangelical Free Church Experiencing God's love and Extending God's Love

English Worship Service: 8:15am
Sunday School: 9:30-10:30am
English Worship Service: 10:45am
Chinese Worship Service: 10:45am (Fireside room downstairs)

Please join us in-person or online.

If you enjoy biking and a good time this Summer Social Series group is for you! 2nd & 3rd Thursdays of the Month6:00-8:0...
06/09/2026

If you enjoy biking and a good time this Summer Social Series group is for you!

2nd & 3rd Thursdays of the Month
6:00-8:00PM

Meet us at the Franklin Library to ride the trails to Gray’s Lake and back (around 12-15 miles). Meet at 6pm and finish around 8pm. Everyone is welcome to come! Just bring your bike. Children must be supervised.

Join the group for all the details! https://westchesterefc.churchcenter.com/groups/summer-social-series/biking

In case you didn't know, this weekend is Iowa Free Fishing Weekend! (meaning you don't nee a fishing license!)Join us th...
06/03/2026

In case you didn't know, this weekend is Iowa Free Fishing Weekend! (meaning you don't nee a fishing license!)

Join us this Saturday, June 6th from 4-8PM at the Getzes' land out by Redfield, IA. Fishers of all ages and skills are welcome to come and fish together! Bring your own poles and tackle. Fishing poles and bait will be provided for those who need it.

Hotdogs will be provided as well as a campfire to roast them. Bring your own beverages, snacks, or other dinner items.

Children are welcome with parent supervision.

Register on the church center app to get the exact location. https://westchesterefc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3646626

Meet Me Monday - William (Bill) ClarkMy wife, Barb, and I began attending WEFC around 2002. We'd been looking for a new ...
06/01/2026

Meet Me Monday - William (Bill) Clark

My wife, Barb, and I began attending WEFC around 2002. We'd been looking for a new church after years of attending a Baptist church in Perry. We visited several different churches and Adult Bible Fellowships and through the pastor acquaintance at that time tried Westchester. The ABF class we attended was deep and interesting. It was clear to us that the people in this church “ meant business for the Lord” and that was what we were looking for under God’s clear guiding direction.

My wife and I, along with another couple, started a para-church ministry called the Son Foundation which does conferences aimed at refreshing the lives of Christian leaders that were themselves ministering to large groups of Christian endeavors. Through one of our conferences, we met the pastor and a mental health counseling couple from Westchester. LOOK NO FARTHER. This was it and has been for 24 plus years. During this time, I have had the privilege of teaching one of the adult classes for a number of years and garnered many friendships we treasure. God was so good to guide us. I have served as an elder and was Church Chair one year. I am happy to say that was the year we called Pastor Chuck and Emily.

I grew up early in Chicago then went to Sioux City where I graduated high school. Went on to a finance degree at the U of I (Go Hawks) and worked for Allied Insurance (now Nationwide) in Des Moines. Myself, Barb and our family of 4 moved to Perry in 1977 when I purchased an independent insurance and real estate firm. In 1993, I took a sabbatical from the agency and for 15 years oversaw the boutique 4-Diamond Hotel Pattee and Hometown Heritage museum in Perry. My wife and I co-authored a book about our experiences there called “Turtle on a Fencepost” , wherein we documented many humorous and interesting events during the hotel development.

A fraternity brother at Iowa had a great influence on my asking Jesus to be my savior and in 1970 when my wife and I were married, we both treasured our relationship with Christ. The Lord has met our needs in every circumstance and in spite of trials, our hearts trust in Him is unmovable. To God be the glory!

Summer is HERE and so is our Summer Social Series! We have so many fun events this summer and would love to see you ther...
05/26/2026

Summer is HERE and so is our Summer Social Series!

We have so many fun events this summer and would love to see you there! Tag a friend you want to join you then head over to the ChurchCenter App (https://westchesterefc.churchcenter.com/pages/summer-social-series) to see all the details and get signed up!

This list is NOT exhaustive, so make sure to check out ALL our events on the ChurchCenter App!

Have a blessed Memorial Day. ❤
05/25/2026

Have a blessed Memorial Day. ❤

Meet Me Monday - John Bowman I was born and raised in Des Moines as well as growing up at Westchester, but back then it ...
05/18/2026

Meet Me Monday - John Bowman

I was born and raised in Des Moines as well as growing up at Westchester, but back then it was Highland Park Free Church. Both have been my home all my life. My mom and dad were saved in their early 30’s and Highland Park became their church home. When the church decided to move west and build Westchester we all tagged along.
I am the youngest in my family. I have a brother who is 15 months older than me and had a sister who was 16 years older than me which resulted in me being an uncle at the age of 4. I graduated from Saydel High School (Go Eagles!) and DMACC with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electronic Technology. I spent many years working for a small business called A.V. Services repairing audio visual equipment (slide projectors, 16mm movie projectors, overhead projectors – things that might now be considered antiques!). I currently work for a company called Triad Productions and am mainly involved in building and wiring industrial control panels.
I was told that I asked Jesus into my heart when I was young but since I had no memory of this, I rededicated by life when I was a teen. I’ve had my share of struggles and heartaches since then, wanting to go my own way and be my own little g god, but I think one of the greatest things God has taught me is that He is always faithful even when I am not. He never gave up on me, even when I would have given up on myself.
Over the years of going to Westchester, I’ve been involved in several ministries but the one that seems to have lasted is running sound. I started to learn at the age of 15 and am still at it some 50 years later. You’ll see me in the sound booth most Sundays (I’m the old guy with the beard!) or more likely hear me when Chuck makes a good joke!
Fun Facts:
I like a good laugh, but I think everybody knows that!
I was named after two pastors.
There is a song written about me.
My favorite Christian artists are Larry Norman (look him up), Rich Mullens, and Michael Card.
And I do love a good game of cribbage!

Join us tomorrow as we see what the Lord has to say in 1 Samuel 28. Equipping Hour: 8:45-9:45AMWorship Service: 10:15AM
05/16/2026

Join us tomorrow as we see what the Lord has to say in 1 Samuel 28.

Equipping Hour: 8:45-9:45AM
Worship Service: 10:15AM

Meet Me Monday - Ed ParkerI grew up on a farm near Alden, Iowa and later near Aplington Iowa. I sang with a community Ch...
05/11/2026

Meet Me Monday - Ed Parker

I grew up on a farm near Alden, Iowa and later near Aplington Iowa. I sang with a community Christian youth choir. Through that group I met my high school sweet heart, Rhonda. We married during my sophomore year of college at the University of Iowa, in 1974. While attending college I was a student lay pastor for one year at three tiny Methodist churches north of Wellman, Iowa. Rhonda and I served together, she as the pianist. I graduated in 1976 with a degree in Psychology and Communication Studies.

Three years later I was working full time at a correctional half-way house in Ames and was attended college at ISU halftime and had a two-year old at home. After graduating with a BA in Information Technology in 1981, I took a job at a manufacturing company in Marshalltown, Iowa. There we asked our neighbor to recommend a church. He suggested Hillside Church of Christ where in was the pastor.
Both of use were Christians all of my life, but Rhonda and I were baptized as adults at the Church of Christ. We moved to Urbandale in 2003. We asked our new neighbor what church we should attend. He, Chuck Strittmatter, recommended Westchester when he was the acting pastor.

We have three adult children and nine grandchildren. They all live in the Des Moines area. Rhonda gave piano lessons to all the grandchildren. I started working the Westchester’s nursery when our first grandchild was three years old. That family changed churches leaving me serving in the nursey as I still do. I also occasionally open the Mosaic ABF class.

Address

Des Moines, IA

Telephone

+15152781615

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Westchester Evangelical Free Church posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category