From Pastor Kent: 2026 State of the Church
What face comes to mind when you think about the future of the church? What face represents the people you love, the next generation of disciples, and so much more. The past year offered many opportunities to reflect on the future of Cedar Hills.
Two things struck me as abundantly clear:
1. I am deeply grateful for you! You are the future of the church and I love serving with you. I love what I do and I love doing it with you!
2. The best is yet to come! Life brings changes and those changes bring grief but also opportunity. God has plans for our futures – big plans!
As we look forward to the new year, I hope that we all have the faces of the people we love in mind. And I hope that some – many – of those faces represent the next generation. They are the future of our congregation and the reason we are committed to make disciples who make disciples.
God wants to do so much more!
Pastor Kent
Care Ministry
God has blessed us with the opportunity to meet weekly with residents at Irving Point Assisted Living Center and at Harmony Nursing Home. Also, God has led us to begin a Men’s Small Group with some wonderful guys! We meet Monday evenings at A Place for Friends. ~Randy Fox, Care Ambassador
Worship Ministry
Worship teams continue to grow in musicianship and discernment as they listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in worship and learn to ebb and flow with where God is leading them during the worship services. ~ Pastor Leah Carolan
Lala Ladies
A Mission outreach group from Cedar Hills: Ina Boeke, Audrey Reid, and Lori Tonsfeldt travel to 18-20 assisted living homes each month to perform a special musical program!
Small Group Connections
A group from our women’s ministry recently attended the Beth Moore conference in Des Moines. The ladies returned home deeply encouraged in their faith and grateful for the opportunity to grow closer as sisters in Christ. ~ Lindsey Ungs, Connection Architect
Days for Girls
Our Cedar Rapids team has been providing reusable menstrual kits since 2014. Over 16,000 kits have been shared both abroad and locally for women and girls in need. With these kits, girls will not need to miss school, and women will not need to miss work because of their monthly cycles.
Nursery
Youth helpers connect with the Nursery kids and provides a fun opportunity to serve!
Faith, Family & Fun
Our Faith, Family & Fun event was watching and outdoor movie and sharing snacks!
Open Hands Food Pantry
Faithful, hard-working volunteers keep the pantry stocked to serve hundreds of families in need. The pantry is open two days every week, but volunteers work to stock the pantry almost every day! The volunteers are the heart of the pantry—they are the reason for its success!
Women’s Ministry
The Women’s Ministry Leadership Team coordinates and lead multiple women’s clases, events, retreats and activities throughout the year.
Line-Dancing Event
Advent by Candlelight
Women gather for the annual Advent By Candlelight event to prepare our hearts for the Christmas season.
Cedar Kids Clubhouse
Our hayrack ride is always a hit and we enjoy many special hands-on activities to learn about the Bible and Jesus love for us!
Sunday Class Kids
Pre-K through 5th graders are learning how to fish for men and be disciples who make other disciples. ~ Cathy Poole, Children’s Sunday Class Director
Youth & Young Adults
One essential to growing in your faith as a teenagers is exploring what you believe. This summer some of our youth explored the mountains in Colorado and were challenged to reach new heights physically and spiritually.
~ Pastor Steve Poole, Director of Youth & Young Adults
Children’s Church
My children’s church crew surprised me with a birthday party. Totally caught me off guard, but it was absolutely the best birthday ever!
They had been planning this for a month and wanted to express their gratitude. I feel so blessed to be a part of a ministry that is kind and loving. I have also had some of my middle school girls helping out as leaders, which has been amazing to witness. God is indeed moving through the children’s ministry.
~ Frankline Tshombe, Children’s Worship Director
Noah’s Ark Preschool
Noah’s Ark Preschool celebrated its 57th year! We see God working in our preschool every day through the love, growth, and joy of our students. We believe serving these children is a God-given calling and are blessed to share His love and light.
~ Megan Wilden, Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool
Cedar Hills Consistory
2026 Deacons
Bruce Boldt (chair)
Justina Conrad
Carol Davison
Amy Geiger
Carmen Gronewold
Matt Johnson
Beth Larson
Sonya Schneekloth
2026 Elders
Kent Landhuis, Pres.
Joanne Lodge
Dan Hakken, Vice Pres.
Gary Mills
Beth Brown
Steve Poole
Gabe Dorrell
Gary Sager
Randy Fox
CONSISTORY NOMINATIONS
2027 Deacon Nominee
Bobby Dahm
The more I am engaged in Cedar Hills the more I am enlightened, refreshed, and empowered to abide in Jesus. I’m learning that less is more in my journey to becoming a disciple of Jesus. Less time spent learning the ways of this world and more time learning the ways of Jesus.
2027 Deacon Nominee
Jeff Graham
The support I receive from the community at Cedar Hills Community Church has helped me abide in Jesus. The messages on Sunday mornings, Bible study discussions, and general conversation with fellow members have all contributed to my journey.
2027 Elder Nominee
Nora Herny
What helps me abide with Jesus is reflecting on the absolute knowledge that He loves me and is with me always! Praying, worshipping together with fellow believers, I praise God with a grateful heart.
2027 Elder Nominee
E.J. O’Donnell-Lines
Our family has been faced with many challenges over the last few years. That’s what eventually brought us to Cedar Hills. There is so much hate and division in the world today that I feel compelled to change in a positive way. Jesus gave us the ultimate example of what it means to live life with compassion and love for others. I’m doing my best to live out my life using that example and that drive helps me to abide in Jesus Christ.
ANNUAL BUDGET SUMMARY
2026 Status and 2027 Budget Plan
As of the end of September:
- 2026 expense budget: $683,708
- 2026 actual expenses: $695,351
- 2026 total donations: $716,353
- Building Our Future Balance: $111,823
- The 2027 budget is increasing 9%, mostly due to succession planning, planned loan payments for parking lot, staff increases (3% increase and health insurance increases).
- Ministry teams were very diligent in managing their planned budgets to help limit the overall budget increase.
- Parking lot resurfacing is planned for late spring to early summer 2027.
- Missions increased 4% over 2026.
Every gift matters and we appreciate your generosity!
CEDAR HILLS MISSIONS
- Open Hands Food Pantry
- Bridgehaven
- Beth Larson, Brno, in Czech Republic
- Campus Crusade for Christ – Katie Smith
- Lake View Camps
- Indiana YFC-Abbi Lackey
- Power of Women and Children
- Geneva Campus Ministries – Brett Erickson
- Words of Hope – Radio Ministry
- RCA Foreign Ministry – Blaine Newhouse in Bahrain
- Salvation Army – Local Needs
- Serve the City – Care Network
- Guatemala Mission Trip
- La La Ladies
- Days for Girls
- Matthew 25
- Benevolence/Gap Ministries
- Alliance Mission Shares
