ABOUT US
Learn more about our history, what we believe, and the incredible team we have.
OUR HISTORY
01
The Beginning: A Vision Born in a Diner
Waukee Community Church was born in a diner. Two of our founding elders were meeting over lunch at the Drake Diner to plan for their Adult Bible Fellowship Class at Valley Church (West Des Moines, IA). Soon, they found themselves dreaming about a church plant in the growing western suburbs of Des Moines. They dreamed of a church where people embraced the mission of "being" the church. They dreamed of a place where people were genuinely involved in each other's lives--helping each other become more like Christ. That day, in a diner, a vision was born.
02
From Dream to Reality
As this dream for a church plant grew, the leaders of Valley Church embraced this idea and joyfully sent a group of 50 people to plant a church in Waukee. On Palm Sunday of 2005, WCC launched her first public worship service at Prairieview School. In November of that year, WCC called the first lead pastor, David Brooks. Pastor Dave still fills that role to this day.
03
Staying True to Our Mission
In 2016, we purchased the facility at 215 N Warrior Lane in Waukee. We want to use this facility as an avenue to point each other to Jesus. Initially we occupied just 25% of the building. However, in 2020, we completed Phase 2 of our facility initiative — expanding into 75% of the building (9,000 square feet) and creating more space for children’s ministry. In the fall of 2023, we completed Phase 3. We now occupy 100% of the building and have expanded our parking lot to accommodate our growing church family.
Our story isn’t over. As we joyfully grow in ministry, we will continue to be passionate about making disciples of Jesus Christ – people who live, love, and give like Jesus!
OUR MISSION
At WCC, we’re all about “living, loving, and giving like Jesus.” He’s the center of everything we do because life works best when He’s at the heart. We live like Jesus by following His teachings, love like Him by caring deeply for God and others, and give like Him by serving selflessly.
This is a place for real, authentic transformation, where the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things. We hope you’ll find WCC to be a home where you can grow and be transformed to live, love, and give like Jesus.
What We Believe
Our Motivations
We want to see God accomplish big things for his glory in our city. The thing is, on our own, we will not be able to accomplish these big things. This is where we must demonstrate a steadfast dependence on God. Without Him, we will not be able to do His work.
What you see is what you get. Sounds cliche, but we expect it to be a reality. When we walk out the door on Sunday morning we don't become a different person. Even through the messiness of life, what you see on Sunday morning is the same thing you will see if we were to meet at the grocery store, gas station, or soccer field.
Every relationship we have transforms us in some way. We see our relationship with Jesus transforming us more and more into the image of Him. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that, over time, this transformation takes place.
We don't just talk about Jesus, we look to be his hands and feet. Our faith in Jesus compels us to live out the Kingdom of God here on earth. We desire to boldly go into our community, meeting needs and sharing the good news of Jesus.
Our Beliefs
WCC is part of the Evangelical Free Church of America. The EFCA is a group of like-minded churches that work together for the cause of Christ. We hold to the current EFCA Statement of Faith which was adopted in 2008 and amended in 2019.
The Evangelical Free Church of America is an association of autonomous churches united around these theological convictions:
God
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
The Bible
We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
The Human Condition
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
The Work of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
The Church
We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
Christian Living
We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
Christ’s Return
We believe in the personal, bodily, and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service, and energetic mission.
Response and Eternal Destiny
We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
Ordinances
Baptism
We practice believer baptism by full immersion. Baptism is a joyous symbol of identification with Christ and His church. This is an ordinance in which every believer should participate. It is not, however, required for membership. Baptisms occur several times per year.
Communion
Communion is observed on a monthly basis during our Sunday Gatherings. All believers in Jesus are welcome to participate, whether or not they are members of WCC.
Our Leadership Team
Dave Brooks
Lead Pastor
Dave is the Lead Pastor of Waukee Community Church. He came to WCC in November of 2005 as the first pastor of this new church plant. Dave is in love with two Brides: his Bride, Clorrisa, and Jesus’ Bride, the Church. He has 6 children. The youngest 2 are in middle school. The oldest 4 are adults. (Someday Pastor Dave hopes that he too can be considered “an adult”). Dave is an avid Cubs fan, so he has learned to deal with adversity and disappointment. Dave has many nicknames including, Pastor Dave, P.Dave, P.Diddy, and Rev. He is still learning how to be a Pastor and makes lots of mistakes, but he serves a great God and a wonderful church…both who are filled with grace.
Ally Huss
LittleLife Director
Ally is the newest staff member having joined the staff at WCC in the fall of 2024 to oversee the LittleLife (Birth-PreK) ministries. She and her husband, Travis, have 2 daughters and 1 son and have been attending WCC since 2020. In addition to LittleLife, Ally spends her days homeschooling and caring for her kids. Though free time is a precious commodity, Ally spends most free moments reading a book, thinking about reading books, or looking at books at the library. Despite the talk of others holding the position, we can confirm that Ally is Pastor Dave's favorite staff member.
Ben Brooks
Worship Associate
Ben has been a part of the Waukee Community Church family most of his life as he is Pastor Dave's son. His roots run deep in engaging and growing in his love for Jesus and worshiping Him alongside the WCC family. He is currently a student at Moody Bible Institute and is a part of Moody Chorale. He leads our worship ministry alongside a volunteer team. And as you can imagine, he IS Dave's favorite!
Brenda Jackson
KidsLife Director
Brenda joined the staff of WCC in August of 2016. Her role is to oversee the KidsLife (K-6) ministries at WCC. Brenda lives in Waukee and considers herself blessed to be called the Mother of 2 daughters and 1 son-in-law. She also has 14 dogs, 17 cats, 4 birds, 3 mice, 5 hedge-hogs and one chinchilla (not really). Brenda is Pastor Dave's favorite staff member (really).
Brian Mamola
Worship Director
Brian joined the staff at WCC as worship director in late 2024. He and his wife, Andrea, have three children: Solomon, Ana, and Ainsley. Brian is excited to apply his musical and leadership experience to grow the worship ministry at WCC and create an environment where everyone can experience the love and presence of God. As an actuary, Brian has a 98.3% confidence level that he is in the upper quartile of Pastor Dave’s favorite people.
David Tank
Assistant Pastor
David is the newest pastor to serve at WCC, having begun his journey with us in April 2022. He enjoys being called by his last name, "Tank." David and his wife, Sarah, have 3 small children — which means that sleep is at a premium, and it was confirmed in the hiring process that David is also a Cubs fan. As the Assistant Pastor at WCC, Tank is the lead shepherd for Life and Discipleship Groups. He is Pastor Dave’s favorite staff member.
Dennis Ingle
Assistant of Pastoral Care
Dennis has been a part of the WCC family for many years and if you've ever visited on a Sunday morning, you most likely have met him. His heart for the Lord shines through his intentionality in connecting and caring for people. If you haven't met Dennis yet, you are missing out ;). He has 2 adult daughters, 1 son-in-law, and 1 sweet granddaughter. He tries to embrace the love one another commandment which is why he IS Dave’s absolute favorite volunteer staff member.
Molly Flinkman
Women's Ministry Director
Molly’s role is to oversee our women’s ministry. She and her husband, Jake, have 4 kids, and in her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and watching her houseplants grow. Molly is Pastor Dave's favorite ministry leader.
Tara Bollback
Church Administrator
Tara joined WCC in the fall of 2021 as the church administrator, keeping the staff running smoothly (and laughing at Pastor Dave’s jokes). She and her husband, Jason, have 2 daughters and have served in ministries across the U.S. A fellow Moody Bible Institute grad, Tara is officially Pastor Dave’s favorite church administrator.
Our Elders
Aaron Savage
Elder
Aaron is the chairman of our elder team. He teaches government at Northwest High School, and umpires baseball during the summers. Aaron and his wife, Jess, have 2 daughters. He’s an avid Atlanta Braves fan. In spite of this fact, Aaron is Pastor Dave's favorite Elder.
Jeff Abbas
Elder
Jeff joined the elder team in 2020. He has 3 adult daughters, 1 amazing wife, and numerous cats. Jeff loves Jesus, his family, soccer and The Lord Of The Rings. This last fact has earned him the nickname “Jeff The Gray”. Jeff is Pastor Dave’s favorite Elder.
Jeff Johanessen
Elder
Jeff was a founding member of WCC. Jeff is a careful, logical thinker who has been closely involved in the leadership of WCC from the beginning. Jeff lives in Urbandale, is married to a phenomenal woman, and has 3 adult children. He loves to bike and enjoys crossing completed items off of lists. Jeff is Pastor Dave's favorite Elder.
Mark Nelson
Elder
Mark joined the elder team in 2021. He is married to an incredible woman, has 3 adult daughters and 3 precious grandkids. Mark is an Iowa native and has a heart for seeing the Kingdom of God impact the lives of our children and youth right here in Iowa. He loves the disciple-making focus of WCC and is excited to help shepherd our congregation. Mark is Pastor Dave's NEWEST favorite Elder.