A Bilingual Congregation on Aurora Avenue
Westchester Church sits at 4919 NW Aurora Avenue on the north side of Des Moines, across the street from the public schools that shape so much of its weekday ministry. The church belongs to the Evangelical Free Church of America and adheres to the EFCA Statement of Faith. Worship takes place in two languages each Sunday, with an English-language service in the main auditorium and a Chinese-language service that meets in the Fireside room and streams online. The same building, the same staff, and the same vision hold both congregations together.
What a Sunday Morning Looks Like
Sunday mornings begin at 8:45 with the Equipping Hour, a full hour of classes for every age. PreK through 12th-grade students move into graded Sunday School rooms, while adults can choose from Adult Bible Fellowship groups, topical equipping classes, or prayer time. Coffee and fellowship fill the half hour between 9:45 and 10:15, then the main worship service runs from 10:15 to 11:30. The service opens with singing, moves through announcements and a second block of worship, and closes with a sermon. Communion is observed on the first and third Sundays of the month, and the fourth Sunday is set aside for small group prayer. On the first Sunday of each month, the church gathers after the service for a potluck lunch in the Family Life Center.
What to Wear, Where to Park, and How to Find Your Way Around
Westchester tells newcomers simply to come as they are. Many people wear their Sunday best, and many others come in jeans. Regular and decaf coffee are brewed fresh each Sunday morning, and donuts appear from time to time. Parents with infants and toddlers will find a staffed nursery available during the worship service, the Equipping Hour, and Wednesday evening activities. Children through fifth grade who stay for the 10:15 service receive crayons and activity booklets for the sermon. A sound-proof wiggle room in the church balcony lets families step away while still hearing and seeing the service.
Nursery Through Birth to PreK
The nursery is staffed every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, plus select special events, and serves children from birth through PreK. Sunday School classes are offered for two-and-a-half-year-olds through PreK during the 8:45 Equipping Hour. Safety is taken seriously: every volunteer has been background checked and has completed Ministry Safe Abuse Awareness Training, and the ministry follows strict policies for diaper changes, bathroom breaks, and volunteer-to-child ratios. Parents receive matching code tags at drop-off and must present the matching tag to pick up their child. The nursery provides an animal cracker snack, with puff snacks for babies who are ready for solids. Nursery Coordinator Alysa Younkin oversees the program, and the church actively recruits adult and student volunteers to keep the rooms staffed.
Children's Ministry, K Through 5th Grade
Children's Ministry Director Michelle Van Wyngarden leads a graded program built on a five-year scope called the Levels of Biblical Learning. Each level ties a key biblical idea to a specific portion of Scripture: Level 1 walks children through Mark and the topical stories of God's people, Level 2 introduces them to the Bible itself through selected Psalms and the letters of James and John, Level 3 walks through Matthew and Luke, Level 4 covers Acts and Daniel, and Level 5 focuses on Nehemiah, Jonah, Ephesians, and Philippians. After Sunday School, children join the adults for the 10:15 worship service. On Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00, Kids Quest runs September through May and walks K through 5th graders through the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, with games and group activities.
Student Ministry
Westchester's student ministry is currently led by Interim Student Ministries Director Julius Williams while the church searches for a full-time Youth Pastor. The open position calls for someone who will work cooperatively with parents, equip a leadership team, and empower middle school and high school students to make disciples who make disciples. Job responsibilities include preaching, leading trips and service projects, managing the youth ministry budget, and continuing the church's strong relationships with Meredith Junior High and Hoover High School across the street. Students interested in serving or getting connected can reach Julius through the student ministry email.
Adult Equipping, Men's and Women's Ministry
Adult Equipping classes meet during the Sunday morning 8:45 hour and are described as more than Sunday School: they aim to apply God's Word to daily life while building relationships and offering caring support. Throughout the year the church also hosts Men's and Women's Bible studies, retreats, and events designed to build relationships. A women's ministry group and a men's ministry group known as Menchester United meet regularly, and the church office can connect newcomers to either track.
The Chinese Fellowship
The Chinese Fellowship (Des Moines 华人基督徒团契) gathers alongside the English congregation and shares the same building and pastoral staff, with Haitao Cheng serving as Pastor of Chinese Ministries. The fellowship's vision is to share the gospel with Chinese speakers in the Des Moines area, help new believers grow, equip them for ministry, and send them out as witnesses to the world. Weekly rhythms include a Sunday School class at 8:45, a Sunday worship service at 10:15 in the Fireside room and online, a Wednesday evening prayer meeting online, and a Friday evening youth Bible study online. Monthly gatherings bring brothers, sisters, and seniors together on Saturdays. The fellowship maintains its own YouTube channel with sermons and resources.
Stephen Ministry
Westchester runs a Stephen Ministry program that provides confidential, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the wider community who are walking through grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation. Anyone going through a hard time can reach out through the church to be matched with a Stephen Minister.
Friday Mornings Across the Street
One of the most distinctive rhythms at Westchester is the Friday morning student breakfast. Designated a Community Partner by Des Moines Public Schools, the church serves Meredith Junior High and Hoover High School, opening its East door from 7:30 to 8:30 every Friday that school is in session. Volunteers serve pancakes, bacon, and apple juice, and most mornings feed 150 to 200 students. A summer backpack and school-supply drive raises funds each year to equip students who cannot afford their own supplies, and the ministry also provides classroom supplies for teachers.
After-School Youth for Christ
The church hosts a Youth for Christ Campus Life program for Meredith Middle Schoolers. On Mondays from 3:30 to 5:00, the club gathers at Westchester for games, relationships, and a gospel-centered lesson. On Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00, the same group splits into small groups for deeper conversation. The program is staffed by Campus Life Director Abbie Kopischke and runs in partnership with the local YFC chapter.
English Language Learning
Westchester offers free English as a Second Language classes for adults in the community. Classes are designed to build confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and all levels are welcome. Interested students are asked to contact Kathy Neal before attending.
A Wide Circle of Local Partners
The church extends its ministry through partnerships with several local organizations. Together for Good Ministries works upstream to support struggling families before crises occur. Polk County Jail Ministries has been bringing the gospel to inmates and sheriff's office staff since 1981. Hidden Acres provides Christian camp experiences. Single Parent Provision serves single-parent families with programs and services. Love INC Des Moines mobilizes area churches to meet practical needs. Called to Peace Ministries offers a Christ-centered response to those affected by domestic abuse. Wildwood Hills Ranch provides healing experiences for at-risk children. The Navigators focuses on one-on-one discipleship. AGAPE offers support to women, men, and families facing pregnancy or the effects of sexual relationships. Freedom for Youth Ministries empowers young people across Iowa through the love of Christ.
Leadership and Belongings
Lead Pastor Chuck Mullikin oversees the staff, which includes Associate Pastor Adam Glombowski, Pastor of Chinese Ministries Haitao Cheng, Children's Ministry Director Michelle Van Wyngarden, Nursery Coordinator Alysa Younkin, Communications Associate Randyl Lynn Dicks, and Administrative Assistant Kaurie Long. Six elders - Todd Troll, Chris Mielke, Scott Van Wyngarden, Wayne Smith, Steve Getz, and Bryan McCoy - provide spiritual oversight. The church currently has two open positions, Corporate Worship Director and Youth Pastor.
Sermons, Giving, and Staying Connected
Sermons are livestreamed on YouTube and made available for later viewing, with full past series posted online. Online giving is available through the church's Church Center portal, where newcomers can also fill out a connection card or sign up for First-Step and Next-Step classes. First-Step and Next-Step are offered during the Equipping Hour on the first two Sundays of each month and are designed to help newcomers learn more about Westchester and find ways to connect and serve.