Melissa Johnson-Matthews- Alpha minister at Lutheran Church of Hope, wife, and mom- shares about her calling to leadership for one of the largest Alpha ministries in the world, stories of people’s lives changing when they encounter God, what spiritual gifts are, and how to find/use your spiritual gifts.

Find Mel on Insta at @melinsta and Melissa Johnson-Matthews on Facebook or you can email her to learn more about Alpha at alpha.hopewdm.org

For more about Alpha:

https://www.lutheranchurchofhope.org/west-des-moines/grow/classes/alpha/

https://alphausa.org/

Melissa Johnson-Matthews- Alpha minister at Lutheran Church of Hope, wife, and mom- shares about her calling to leadership for one of the largest Alpha ministries in the world, stories of people’s lives changing when they encounter God, what spiritual gifts are, and how to find/use your spiritual gifts.

Find Mel on Insta at @melinsta and Melissa Johnson-Matthews on Facebook or you can email her to learn more about Alpha at alpha.hopewdm.org

For more about Alpha:

https://www.lutheranchurchofhope.org/west-des-moines/grow/classes/alpha/

https://alphausa.org/

Mary Grace Henderson- college student on the pre-law track, former President of Chi Omega at the University of Iowa, and YoungLife leader- speaks on leading with love, the privilege we have as Christians in the United States, and being a women of faith in Greek Life.

Find Mary Grace at Mary Grace Henderson on all socials or you can email her at [email protected]

Theresa Quandt Stiven- refugee champion, grandmother, and wife- shares about her transition from cooperate America to the non-profit sector, the refugee crisis in the United States, and how she has made serving God and others her life’s mission.

Find Theresa at Theresa Quandt Stiven on Facebook, @theresaquandtstiven on Instagram, or email her at [email protected]

Learn more about Exodus at exodusworldservice.org

Mara Smith, Vice President of Student Government at the University of Iowa, and Katherine reminisce about their experience searching for a student ministry in college, the beginnings of Kairos Iowa City, and how they have seen God move at the University of Iowa over the past couple of years.

Find Mara at @maraashford and Kairos Iowa City at @kairos.iowacity on Instagram.

Becky Zemlicka- prayer teacher, entrepreneur, mother, and wife- shares about the many callings on her life, the relationship between faith and fear, and tips for deepening your prayer life.

Find Becky at Becky Cripps Zemlicka on Facebook and [email protected]

Ruth Harbor Ministries http://www.ruthharbor.org/

Lutheran Church of Hope Classes https://www.lutheranchurchofhope.org/class-search/

Makenna Lloyd, student at Iowa State and one of Katherine’s childhood best friends, shares about her about experience as a woman of color growing up in Iowa, racial stereotypes, and the power of prayer during this movement.

Find Makenna at @makenna.simone and Makenna Lloyd on Facebook.

Mara Smith, Vice President of Student Government at the University of Iowa, teaches us about racial injustice, white privilege, and speaks on her reactions to the most recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. 

Find Mara at @maraashford on Instagram.

Peyton Swift- education student, humble servant, and Kat’s best friend- shares about stepping out of her comfort zone into God’s plan, evangelism in public schools, and how feeling convicted can help us grow in our faith.

Find Peyton at @swiftpeyton on Instagram and Peyton Swift on Facebook

Find Peyton’s dogs at @vinnieswift @jetswift

Amanda Neppl- mother, pastor, and women’s ministry leader- shares about her journey to becoming a pastor, discerning your mission, and trusting the Holy Spirit along the way.

Email Amanda at [email protected]

Lutheran Church of Hope West Des Moines https://www.lutheranchurchofhope.org/west-des-moines/contact/staff/bios/amanda-neppl/