I started as the Interim Pastor in 2014 and became the permanent Lead Pastor in 2015.

I was initially drawn to The Bridge (formerly MDRC) because of the rich history of commitment to Jesus expressed through mission, diversity and generosity.

Today, I STILL love those same values, expressed in new ways! I love watching different kinds of people encounter Jesus in all kinds of creative ways.

More about Suzanne
Email Suzanne

(515) 986-5867 ext. 301

I have been a member of the Bridge my whole life, but I joined the pastoral staff in 2019. I have been working as the Adult Discipleship pastor since 2021.

I love reading, writing, and having meaningful conversation over good coffee. My husband, Andy, and I also love playing board games, hosting people for dinner, watching quality TV shows, and checking out breweries around Des Moines.

My faith at times feels like an on-going wrestling match - a perpetual conversation.

There are things about scripture and things about the church in the world right now that frustrate me and leave me asking God an endless string of questions. But ultimately, the unmatched love and grace I have encountered in Jesus, and the vision for wholeness, restoration, justice, and peace I see pictured in scripture as the Kingdom of God have held me in.

More About Sara 
Email Sara
(515) 986-5867 ext. 325

I started attending The Bridge in 2013 with my husband and our two children. I was hired as the Children's Ministry Pastor in January of 2015. I now provide pastoral leadership for all of Family Ministry in shepherding our Weekday Preschool, Children’s, and Student Ministries. 

I'm grateful to be a part of the mission here at The Bridge. Making Jesus known in the lives of his children is an incredible privilege!

I believe that providing solid platforms for kids to build their faith upon is of utmost importance in the fast-paced culture we live in. This is why I have always been drawn to The Bridge's continual desire to creatively support the spiritual development of children and teens along with the family systems they are a part of.

More about Bep
Email Bep

(515) 986-5867  ext. 311

I joined the staff of MDRC in 1986 as Director of Children’s Ministries and Congregational Care Ministries and retired in 2013. I will continue co-teaching the Journey class, serving as a resource person for care ministries, and also occasionally officiating weddings and funerals.

Email Pastor Jane

I served as the Lead Pastor of Meredith Drive Reformed Church for 28 years, before retiring in 2012. While my wife Dee will continue to worship weekly at Renew Church in Ames; I will preach at least quarterly, teach classes and occasionally officiate weddings and funerals.

Email Pastor Tony

I started here at the Bridge as the Worship Arts Director on April 10th, 2023 and serve with a fantastic leadership team as we serve a great congregation here in Johnston Iowa. I am a Man of God first, then a husband to a wonderful wife, a father to 4 great kids, a grandfather to 2 awesome boys and a great grand father to a cute little boy. A mentor, Pastor, musician, church planter and Evangelist. My wife and I have extended family to over 27 of the best kids ever that came from our ministry over the years. More previous Bio can be found at www.pastorfuzz.org.
 
Email FuZz

I joined The Bridge Staff at the end of 2020. My wife and I have a daughter, two dogs and a cat. I love being outdoors, taking pictures and snorkeling. It has been so amazing being a part of The Bridge Student Ministry and the just amazing volunteer leaders who share their lives with teens. 

Contact John
(515) 986-5867 ext. 316

I became a member of The Bridge in 2004 and joined the preschool staff in 2012. I started as an associate, then 2's lead teacher and assistant director, and currently, as of fall 2019, am the preschool director.

I attended the preschool as a child and my children also attended before I joined the preschool staff. I am passionate about teaching and feel honored to continue the legacy of this incredible program. I believe in our guiding verse, "Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

Email Tara

Email Lindsay

I have been attending the Bridge since 2004 and volunteered in various kids ministry areas. I joined the staff as the 1st-5th grade kids ministry coordinator in August 2022.

I am excited to be a part of the kids ministry team because I not only get to help children learn more about God and the Bible, but I also get to help leaders and helpers use their gifts with children. I love being able to be a part of the special events that the Bridge provides for children and families like VBS, a Christmas event, Easter treasure hunt, and much more. I also teach full time with 3 and 4 year-olds in a full inclusion preschool classroom at Dallas Center Grimes Schools.

Email Jenn
515-986-5867 ext. 314

We first started coming to The Bridge in 2014, after our son got married at the Meredith Drive campus a few years before that. I joined the staff in 2020 when an opening came up following my business career retirement.

I love serving people! I was compelled to be on staff at The Bridge after seeing the many opportunities they offered to serve others. I enjoy projects that enhance our surroundings and enrich kids. Working with the many volunteers to accomplish both of these has been a blessing!

I also love discipleship and being on staff at The Bridge has enabled me to grow and mature my faith in Jesus.

Email Deb
(515) 986-5867 ext. 321

I first joined the Bridge in 1987 after graduating from Central College in Pella, Iowa. I joined the nursery staff as a coordinator in 1995. I started my financial position at the church in 1998.

Though you won't find me in front of the congregation (numbers are my thing), I am grateful to be a part of everything that goes on at the church through my financial position with the church. I get to see the generosity of our members and regular attenders. I get to see how our program staff wisely uses those resources to serve the world, our local neighborhood, and our church family. I feel blessed to be a part of this church and this staff.

I started coming to the Bridge when it was Meredith Drive Reformed Church. My husband Jim and I were married here and our three children Jon, Steven, and Katherine were baptized and confirmed here. Though our children are now in their 20's, we still enjoy getting together to spend time traveling and enjoying a favorite tv show or movie. On my own time I enjoy reading.

Email Cheryl
(515) 986-5867 ext. 323

I started working at The Bridge in August of 2017. My husband was a pastor for 40 years so I have served in many ways as a volunteer during that time. It is a different experience to work for a church and I have loved serving the staff and members of The Bridge. It has been a rich experience in many ways!

Email Kathleen
515-986-5867 ext. 312

Arlan and I joined the Meredith Drive Reformed Church in June, 1968. We were married and moved to Des Moines that month and joined Arlan's sister's family in worshipping here.

I love worshipping through music and in 1968 accepted an invitation to play the organ for one worship service a month. (we had 3 other organists) We have always been a part of and have led small groups: choir, Bible studies, social groups. These members are still our best friends and Christian support. I love the preaching directly from the bible from our pastors who model living the Christian life.

Contact Barb