Building on the Foundation

When Pastor Will Bentley first stepped into his new role at Prairie Lakes Church, there was one thing he knew he had to figure out: How do you follow someone who seemed to know everyone? “Pastor Phil was very connected, and it’s been intimidating,” Will laughs.

Two and a half months into his new role as campus pastor, he is finding his answer: foster the established relationships and build new ones. For Will, that means being intentional about getting to know people in the community.

Bentley has been a key part of Prairie Lakes Grinnell for four years, first serving as the worship and production coordinator before stepping into his current role as campus pastor. The most common question he gets as pastor from potential newcomers? “What does worship look like here?” he shares. As pastor during Sunday services, he often takes on a host-like role, working the room and talking with people. The service itself is more contemporary with the message being broadcast from the main Cedar Falls campus, while the local worship and praise team take a very active role in service.

Crystal Belcher, campus coordinator, knows firsthand how relationships can grow. Crystal has been involved with Prairie Lakes for many years and just over a year and a half in her role. She touches nearly every corner of the church, from coordinating volunteers and children’s ministry to small groups and more. For her family, involvement became an important part of their lives. Her daughters became involved in children’s ministry and music, and her husband served as a greeter. When the campus coordinator position opened, Crystal felt called to step into it. Now she gets to help create that same sense of belonging for others.

Small groups are a big part of fostering relationships and building community. There are groups for men, women, couples, and others with specific interests, plus, if there isn’t a group that fits, you may be able to help start one.

A major benefit of small groups? “Simply having people to do life with,” comments Crystal. She describes them as a chance to be real with people, lean on one another during difficult times, and learn from each other’s experiences. “You have a group of people who are really invested in your life,” she notes.

That same idea extends beyond the church campus. Prairie Lakes is preparing for a busy fall, with events and partnerships with other organizations in Grinnell. “We’re passionate about serving our community,” Will says. “The goal is to focus on people who need help, and to find practical ways to serve them.”

There are connections being made with Grinnell College students, too. Caitlin Hong, a recent Grinnell College graduate and former intern, became involved with Prairie Lakes through the worship team as a musician, but her involvement grew from there. “It felt like home,” she shared warmly. “I was met with no hesitation.”

Caitlin is preparing to move to Boston for work, but her experience at Prairie Lakes is one that the church hopes others can have, too. Find a place to meet people and become part of the community — something Will is also working toward as he settles into his new role. He knows he has big shoes to fill, but he’s building on the foundation that was set in place for him, one connection at a time.

Chamber Ambassadors:

Karen Dillon — Grinnell Remodeling

Nikki Armstead — Grinnell Chamber

Fran Conn

Trent Arment — MCG - Mahaska Communication Group

Caitlin Ong — Prairie Lakes Church

Dan McCue — McCue & Associates LLC - American Family Insurance

Crystal Belcher — Prairie Lakes Church

Will Bentley — Prairie Lakes Church Grinnell

Mike McGuire — Inspired Tech

Monique Shore — PFLAG Grinnell Poweshiek

Jackie Rhoades — Walmart Grinnell