Desert Church Washington

09/04/2026

🌟 Volunteer Highlight of the Week: ISAIAH! 🌟

This week we’re celebrating Isaiah! From one of our original Desert Youth students in 2019 to now serving the next generation himself, Isaiah has continued to pursue Jesus and say YES wherever God leads. You can now find him serving in the tech booth, Kids Ministry, and Youth Ministry — even stepping up as a cabin leader for our high school boys at camp! 🙌

Here’s what our staff has to say:

💬 Sara:
“What a joy it has been to pastor Isaiah since 2019, first in youth group and now as a young adult. Watching him even in the last year flourish in faith has been such a fun journey. Seeing him step into roles God clearly paved the way for has been such a cool testimony to how God works in our lives as we lean in and abide! I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for this young faithful dude.”

💬 Kieran:
“Isaiah! God has a calling on your life! It has been such a joy to watch you step in to who God has called you to be. Your willingness to serve in any area is so encouraging. Thank you for all you do and for the joy that you bring to those around you!”

💬 Liz:
“Isaiah — We are SO grateful for the way you willingly show up and serve! We love seeing your dedication to growing in your relationship with Jesus and your desire to help disciple others too. It’s so encouraging to see what He is doing in you and through you! Thank you for faithfully serving and being such a blessing to our church. We appreciate you!”

💬 Jethro:
“It’s been such a pleasure to watch a young man grow from student to student leader to a leader of the students. Thank you so much Isaiah for your willingness to ask if we ever need help with anything.

You are an amazing example of what God can do with a man who says yes to Jesus Christ!”

Isaiah, thank you for continuing to say YES to Jesus and allowing Him to use your gifts to serve others. We’re so grateful for you and excited to see where He leads you next! 💛

08/19/2026

🌟 Volunteer Highlight of the Week: PRESTON! 🌟

This week, we’re celebrating Preston! From sitting in Sunday school as one of our “wee ones” to now teaching and serving in both Kids Ministry and Youth Ministry, it’s been incredible to watch him grow into a strong, faithful young man who loves Jesus with his whole heart.

💬 Jethro: “Preston’s gift to Desert Church has been his commitment, even early on. Preston refreshes my soul with his presence.”

💬 Liz: “Preston — We are so grateful for how much you care about our church family! You are so dedicated to serving Christ and His people, and your faithfulness and heart for others do not go unnoticed. You are such an encouragement, and I truly enjoy doing ministry with you!”

💬 Cheryle: “Preston, I have watched you go from being one of our wee ones in Sunday school class to becoming a helper in Sunday school, and now look at you, an awesome young man teaching kids. Kids just love being around you and look up to you. I have been in awe watching you quietly sitting on the steps reading your Bible, poetry, doing homework, or visiting with friends. I don’t believe I have ever heard you say one unkind thing about anyone. You see the good in people, and that’s a gift. I cherish our relationship. Love you, Preston, and thank you for caring for the kiddos!”

💬 Kieran: “Preston is faithful to the heart of Jesus. He is so kind and brings a sense of peace with him wherever he goes. He loves like Jesus! Thank you for all you do, Preston!”

💬 Sara: “Pres was one of my OG students in 2019. It’s been so fun to pastor him all these years and to watch him grow into God’s calling on his life. I’m honored to know and pastor such a fun-loving, Jesus-centered person!”

💛 Thank you, Preston, for faithfully serving our church family!

08/06/2026

🌟 Volunteer Highlight of the Week: CECE BARCLAY! 🌟

This week we are celebrating Cece Barclay—a woman whose love for Jesus has impacted generations. Whether through youth ministry, children’s ministry, our local schools, or one-on-one conversations, Cece has faithfully answered God’s call to share the Gospel. Her legacy is found in the countless lives she’s pointed toward Christ, and Desert Church is incredibly blessed to call her family.

💬 Sara:
“Cece is one of the biggest pillars of my faith. Ultimately her prayers and words she spoke over me 9 years ago are what brought me here. She’s an ultimate warrior for the Kingdom of Christ. Over the years I’ve heard so many testimonies that started with her simply sharing her love of Christ. I now get to watch her pour that same love into the youth of our church. I can’t express how much I love that woman!”

💬 Liz:
“Cece is such a beautiful, empowering, strong, and dedicated disciple of Jesus. I am so thankful for the many years she has faithfully loved, served, and taught children and youth about Him. Thank you for so generously sharing your heart for Jesus with all of us. Your faithfulness, love, and servant’s heart have made a lasting impact on so many lives.”

💬 Jethro:
“For 40 years I have witnessed the love of Jesus expressed through Cece’s hands, feet, mouth—but mostly through her heart. The Lord has used Cece mightily to change young people’s lives. She has brought Jesus into classrooms in Ephrata and Soap Lake for years, while faithfully serving through youth, children’s ministry, and prayer.”

💬 Cheryle:
“I bet if you ask anyone in Ephrata or Soap Lake if they know Cece Barclay, they’ll say yes—and probably add, ‘She gave me a Bible and talked about Jesus!’ Cece has answered God’s call to love children and tell them about Jesus. It is an honor and privilege to call you friend. I love you madly, sister!❣️”

Cece, thank you for decades of faithfully pointing people to Jesus. Your love, prayers, and obedience have left an eternal impact on this community, and we are so grateful for you. 💛

07/26/2026

An update from Desert Youth from Collide Summer Camp 🥳☀️

07/23/2026

🌟 Volunteer Highlight of the Week: GREG & VERREE DOIRON! 🌟

This week we’re celebrating Greg and Verree, two faithful servants who consistently show up early, ready to help, protect, encourage, and love our church family well.

From caring for our littlest ones and helping in the café to keeping watch over our church and serving wherever needed, Greg and Verree are dependable, prayerful, and always willing to lend a hand. We are so grateful for the steady presence they bring to Desert Church!

💬 Cheryle:
“The Doirons are a dynamic duo! Thank you Greg and Verree for all you do at Desert Church. From loving and protecting the wee ones to making sure that while we are inside worshipping, all is well outside under Greg’s watchful eyes. You are so much a part of ‘many hands make light work!’ I so much appreciate and love you guys.”

💬 Liz:
“Verree & Greg, we are so grateful for the way you both show up bright, early, and ready to serve our church family on Sunday mornings! Thank you for your faithful dedication to serving God’s people, helping keep everyone safe, and showing the love of Christ with a smile and a helping hand. We are so thankful for you both and the heart you have to serve our church family so well!”

💬 Jethro:
“Thank you, Doirons, for the way that you bring the presence of God to Desert Church. We see you, Verree, caring for the littles and always arriving early to help out in the café. I have to say, Greg, thank you for your willingness to serve and do it with a smile. You’re always early and you’re so dependable. And you’re a good friend. We are blessed to have the Doirons!”

💬 Sara:
“It’s been a joy to be prayerful throughout my journey at this church with Verree and Greg. They have been major encouragers to me from the very beginning of my time here, starting in our Rooted group years ago, and I am honored to serve alongside them now. I love you guys!!”

Greg and Verree, thank you for your faithfulness, encouragement, and the many ways you help make Desert Church safe, welcoming, and full of love. We appreciate you both so much! 💛

07/09/2026

🌟 Volunteer Highlight of the Week: Our Sage-N-Sun Volunteers! 🌟

This week’s Volunteer Highlight goes to the incredible men, women, students, and families who, a month ago, made Sage-N-Sun Weekend such a powerful outreach to our community!

From Stephanie coordinating dozens of booth volunteers, Lia organizing our parade entry, Johnny securing the semi truck, Danny praying with community members, our Desert Youth and Young Adults handing out Bibles, and so many others greeting, setting up, tearing down, serving games, sharing conversations, and simply loving people well—it truly took an army of volunteers to make the weekend what it was.

The best part wasn’t the booth, the parade, or even the games... it was watching our church family be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Throughout the weekend, prayers were prayed, tears were shared, hugs were given, questions about faith were answered, Bibles found new homes, and strangers walked away as friends. We witnessed the love of Christ reaching our community in tangible ways.

Liz shared with staff that it was incredibly encouraging to watch so many Jesus-loving volunteers plan and present such a fun, welcoming outreach. Cheryle reflected on seeing volunteers truly listen, care for, and pray with people in meaningful moments. And Pastor Sara loved watching our church family bring Jesus into the community—from Danny praying with individuals to students boldly offering Bibles during the basketball tournament.

This wasn’t about a handful of leaders—it was about a church family saying “yes” to serving together.

Thank you to every volunteer who gave your time, energy, gifts, and heart. Because of you, our community experienced the hope, joy, and freedom found in Jesus.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36 🤍

Freedom is found in Jesus.

06/23/2026

🌟 Volunteer Highlight of the Week: The Schminky Family! 🌟

This week we’re celebrating the Schminky family! Their love for Jesus shines through the way they faithfully serve our church, community, and one another.

💬 Cheryle:
“Jon and Sandi Schminky are a dynamic duo. They are one of the quiet ones who stay in the background yet serving faithfully throughout the years. Loving and teaching our wee ones and keeping them safe. You ask, they say yes. Jon and Sandi, it is such an honor and pleasure to know you and to worship beside you. You are truly loved❣️”

💬 Jethro:
“The Schminky family has always exemplified the servant heart of Jesus. Jon has faithfully served on Church Council, in Kids Ministry, and with maintenance and safety needs. Sandi serves our nursery families with a smile. What a pleasure it is to watch Dulce and Leah serve as well. The Schminky family truly exemplifies what it means to be great in God’s Kingdom through service.”

💬 Liz:
“We are so grateful for each of you and your willingness to serve our church family and community! Jon—thank you for helping others know Jesus and His Word. Sandi—thank you for the peaceful, loving presence you bring to our little ones and their families. Leah & Dulce—thank you for always being willing to jump in and help. Isaiah—thank you for helping your friends in Sunday School, handing out snacks, and encouraging others with their memory verses. It’s been exciting to watch you grow too!”

💬 Sara:
“Thank you for being such loving pillars of our church and showing your children how to truly love their neighbor. It is a joy to pastor kids who love the Lord with their whole heart!”

Thank you, Schminky family, for faithfully showing us the servant heart of Jesus!!

06/11/2026

🌟 Volunteer Highlight of the Week: KELLY! 🌟

This week we’re celebrating Kelly, a wonderful wife, friend, mother, and grandmother who faithfully serves our Desert Church family with a joyful heart. If you’ve spent any time around our nursery, you’ve likely seen Kelly loving on our littlest ones, helping them feel safe, cared for, and welcomed.

Kelly is always willing to step in when there’s a need, and her servant’s heart extends far beyond the walls of our church. Her kindness, compassion, and love for Jesus shine brightly in everything she does.

Here’s what others have to say about her:

💬 Liz:
“It is a delight to do ministry with you! I’m so grateful for how much you care about keeping the little ones in the nursery safe, helping them have an enjoyable time together, and keeping things clean, too. Your love for Christ’s body does not go unnoticed, and neither does your desire for others to feel welcomed, just as you were. Thankful for you!”

💬 Cheryle:
“Kelly, your commitment goes far beyond the walls of this church. You reaching out to young ladies behind other walls is what Jesus means by ‘be the church.’ You invest in those who are broken and need a friend to show them the love of Jesus and that someone really cares. And the way you love on our wee ones is just beautiful. Thank you for all you do and for who you are!”

💬 Jethro:
“What a sweet presence you bring into the nursery, Kelly. Thank you for updating me on needs in the nursery. It’s a real pleasure watching you grandparent.”

💬 Sara:
“Kelly, thank you for your yes and dedication to our littles!! I appreciate your enthusiasm and joy when you enter a room! Your smile is contagious.”

Kelly, thank you for faithfully loving people, serving our children, and sharing the heart of Jesus with everyone around you. We are so grateful for you! 💛

05/31/2026

Don’t forget!! We won’t have a 9am service today, we will be gathering all together at 11am!

Join us for food and fellowship as we send off Blake, Christina and their kids to Colorado!

Join us this Sunday, May 31st at 11am for an All Church Family BBQ as we celebrate and send off Pastor Blake & Christina Barnes before their next adventure in Colorado!

Over the last 5 years, the Barnes family has loved, served, encouraged, and faithfully poured into our church family in countless ways. This Sunday will be a special time to gather together, share memories, laugh, pray, and celebrate all God has done through them here at Desert Church.

We’ll have food, laser tag, fellowship, and plenty of time to connect together as a church family. Bring your family, your appetite, and your favorite memories as we honor and bless the Barnes family well on their next chapter.

We hope to see you there ❤️

(Also, ps… there will be no 9am service)

05/28/2026

Join us this Sunday, May 31st at 11am for an All Church Family BBQ as we celebrate and send off Pastor Blake & Christina Barnes before their next adventure in Colorado!

Over the last 5 years, the Barnes family has loved, served, encouraged, and faithfully poured into our church family in countless ways. This Sunday will be a special time to gather together, share memories, laugh, pray, and celebrate all God has done through them here at Desert Church.

We’ll have food, laser tag, fellowship, and plenty of time to connect together as a church family. Bring your family, your appetite, and your favorite memories as we honor and bless the Barnes family well on their next chapter.

We hope to see you there ❤️

(Also, ps… there will be no 9am service)