Thousands of families have sought shelter from shelling and aerial bombardments, creating makeshift homes in the caves of the Nuba Mountains. After months spent living in these conditions, many have chosen to make the risky journey across the border to refugee camps in South Sudan. During the month of May Influence will be featuring a series regarding our Influence partner Samaritan’s Purse involvement in Sudan. Samaritan’s Purse has chosen to cross the road without hesitation and meet the needs of the people in Sudan. Samaritan’s Purse saw an opportunity and has taken it. Samaritan’s Purse is using this as an... Continue reading

Samaritan's Purse is responding to deadly tornadoes that damaged the Oklahoma City suburbs on May 19. Samaritan’s Purse mobilizes and equips thousands of volunteers each year to provide emergency aid to U.S. victims of a variety of natural disasters. Prairie Lakes Church is partnering with Samaritan’s Purse in providing assistance with those affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma. Influence at Prairie Lakes Church is currently forming a team to partner with Samaritan’s Purse in relief efforts. Contact influence@prairielakeschurch.org for opportunities to come alongside or visit the PLC website and click on “Disaster Relief: Volunteers Needed” located on the homepage. Below... Continue reading

Samaritan’s Purse is responding to devastating tornadoes that hit the Oklahoma City area. Samaritan’s Purse staff members are currently on the ground in the affected areas and more are on their way. Two Disaster Relief Units were deployed from the North Carolina headquarters before dawn on Tuesday. One will be based in Moore, and the other in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham stated: “Our prayers are with all of those who are suffering because of this massive storm. We are going to stand by them and do everything we can to help them recover physically, emotionally and spiritually."... Continue reading

Influence Partner Habitat for Humanity is a Christian housing ministry working to eliminate poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need of adequate shelter by providing safe, simple, affordable housing, so that individuals can live and grow into all that God desires them to be. This summer, Habitat for Humanity will be actively working on 6 construction sites. In addition to new construction, Habitat renovates homes, including one for a Burmese family. The Lazum’s moved to Waterloo, Iowa a little over a year ago. They left Burma (Myanmar) because of religious persecution on Christians. They found... Continue reading

410 Bridge is hosting an evening of worship, motivation, joy and giving on Thursday, May 9th in Atlanta, GA. The evening will focus on the New York Times best selling book Love Does by Bob Goff. “Love Does shares powerful stories coupled with eye-opening truths and empowers anyone who longs for a better world and a richer faith.” This book opens the readers eyes to a new way to live that is full of God’s love and the adventures that arise when we respond in obedience to living on mission. The Draja African Children’s Choir will perform at this event.... Continue reading

Construction of the new Northeast Iowa Food Bank warehouse and distribution center is complete! Staff and many volunteers have gathered over the course of several days to move operations to the new site just blocks away at 1605 Lafayette Street. The Food Bank began fully programming and distribution at the new location on April 3rd. The new 45,359 square foot facility in Waterloo will serve as a food warehouse and distribution center for Northeast Iowa. The facility will provide food to nonprofit agencies serving an estimated 40,00 low income people annually in a core 16 county service area – nearly... Continue reading

Love Cedar Valley is taking place this Saturday. Love Cedar Valley is a day to partner with area churches to extend the love of Christ in real and tangible ways in order that our community would take a step in being reconciled to God and one another. It is not too late to join in on this opportunity to bring unity to our community. There are opportunities to sign up on Saturday morning before opening worship. Check out the Love Cedar Valley website for further details and to learn more about this opportunity to share Christ's love to our community.... Continue reading

The Wanje’s are passionate about developing godly families who change Kenya one home at a time. This is done by working alongside churches in Kenya. The Wanje’s see this a key piece to their ministry. They pursue partnerships with churches and empower them to work within their own churches – raising up leaders and strong families. Equipping the local church allows the Wanje’s to expand their outreach across Kenya. April Update from Wanje’s The couples’ discipleship groups continue to grow. We are thankful to see more couples take up the mantle and start other discipleship groups in their churches and... Continue reading

Al Witt is a member at the Osage Campus and serves as an Elder and Chaplin. Al along with his wife Jill and their four children have been intentional about being a blessing in their community by taking time to regularly visit and read to the residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in their community. “One of the ways our family shows God’s love to others in a tangible way is by visiting the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Mitchell County. We will often meet other home school families at the facilities and bring books to... Continue reading

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program that helps individuals over come hurts, hang-ups and habits. The program is based on the actual words of Jesus. This program originated 20 years ago to show the loving power of Jesus Christ to those struggling with a variety of addictions and unhealthy behaviors. Steve Hart, a member of PLC is currently a group leader for the Celebrate Recovery program. Steve ministers to inmates in jail to help break the cycle of repeat offenses and re-incarceration. As a group leader, he helps inmate deal with chemical abuse and the personal issues at the... Continue reading

Jill Thomas is a child and family therapist in Waterloo. Read how God has used her strengths both professionally and personally for Kingdom impact. I have always knows that counseling individuals through difficult situations was a passion of mine. What I didn’t know is that God was going to use volunteering as a way to develop my strengths and compassion for those in need. While I was a college student at UNI, I drove to Waterloo to look for jobs and ended getting lost and not being able to find my way back to campus. I stopped by Alternative Pregnancy... Continue reading

Lyn Eldridge, a member at the Waterloo Campus is a naturally outgoing person and is passionate about sharing information she knows with others. A combination of her personality and passion to share information led her to become a product trainer at Ocwen Loan Servicing (formerly known as GMAC Mortgage). Lyn has been at this company for 11 years and has used her time to make a kingdom impact by building relationships with those around her. Lyn has not been afraid to share her faith, but has been strategic in not isolating herself, showing judgment or being overly critical to those... Continue reading

"What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the Lord, the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 31:1 Hope for Congo desires God to direct our steps and determine our plans. We are humbled and amazed at the various ways in which God has provided for us over the last several years. We are involved in areas of literature, medical work, education and safe drinking water. We are presently working hard to complete our water project at Ndjoko Punda. However, we... Continue reading

Influence at Prairie Lakes Church is forming a team consisting of dental, medical and construction personnel to travel to Belize for ministry opportunities. These ministry opportunities have been a result of a recent partnership and ongoing relationship with Fishers of Men International Missions. This is a reputable organization that has been operating in Belize for ten years. When September 13-20, 2013 (Friday to Friday) Who Can Go Christ-followers in good physical health. Integral members for specific medical, dental, construction, and support needs. Cost $1600 includes airfare, transportation, lodging, meals and a day trip. Additional costs may include: a passport, immunizations,... Continue reading

Elizabeth Ebling has recently taken a step of obedience in applying and being accepted for an internship with Journey. Journey is a 10-week global discipleship experience for college-aged students who have a passion to live for Jesus and want to love and serve the people of Kenya. Journey collaborates with Prairie Lakes Church (PLC) Influence Partner, 410 Bridge, to provide a holistically designed experience to awaken, disciple and make Jesus known to the next generation in Kenya. Elizabeth is originally from Waverly, Iowa and attended the Cedar Falls campus for six years prior to leaving for college. During this time,... Continue reading

God is continuing to work through Ken Trautmann and the FCA ministry. Click here for an update on how God is remaining faithful to this ministry. Continue to be in prayer for the Trautmanns as they humbly bring the Gospel to athletes in the Cedar Valley. Continue reading

Jesus wants to change our communities and world. Seek Him for how you can share His love in a tangible way. Be attuned to how God may be nudging you to take a simple step of obedience and watch as lives are changed—including yours! Click here to hear stories of how God is using ordinary people doing ordinary things to impact lives in our communities. Continue reading

There are more slaves today than ever before in history. Globally an estimated 20-30 million individuals are affected by modern day slavery. Click here for five ways you can fight modern day slavery. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and to... Continue reading

Alternatives Pregnancy Center is holding its annual fundraiser, The Spring Huddle for Life with guest speaker Pam Tebow, mother of NFL player Tim Tebow, on Monday, April 22 at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church, 7401 University Avenue, in Cedar Falls. The event is free and open to the public. The event will kick off with tailgating munchies at 5:30 pm followed by the program at 6:30 pm. No ticket is required. If you have questions about the event, please call Alternatives at 319-232-5683. Information is also posted on the Alternatives website. If you are unable to attend the event, but would... Continue reading

God is raising up a generation passionate about issues that burden His heart. Below read how God is using JoHanna Kelly, a 20 year old PLC Cedar Falls attendee, to make a difference in the lives of individuals experiencing the horrors of human trafficking. In June of 2012, I traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia on a missionary trip with seven other young adults between the ages of 19 and 29 to combat human trafficking through the power of love and prayer. PLC Influence assisted me financially with this missionary trip, and I am so eager to share what I learned.... Continue reading

One of PLC’s career missionaries that is currently serving the Middle East had the opportunity to pass out Operation Christmas Child boxes with Samaritan’s Purse. We praise and thank God for allowing us to be a part of Operation Christmas Child and for the opportunity to join in how God is working by providing hope, love and His Good News to children and families all over the world. Below she shares how God continues to reveal himself to children and families who have received shoe box gifts and heard the Good News of God’s greatest gift, His Son Jesus Christ.... Continue reading

Fellowship of Christian Athletes challenges coaches and athletes at all levels to use athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA desires to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. Ken Trautmann is making this vision become a reality in the Cedar Valley. FCA leaders like Ken focus on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging others to make a difference for Christ. Influence at Prairie Lakes Church is thankful for the opportunity to come alongside Ken Trautmann as one of our Career Missionaries for 2013. We are humbled of how... Continue reading

Alternatives Pregnancy Center, one of our Influence partners, is expanding outreach to the UNI Campus and have goals of increasing public awareness and the number of trained Advocates. Alternatives is an organization that is a demonstration of God’s love in action. Another ministry goal for Alternatives this year is to update their current ultrasound machine and continue to pay off mortgage debt. Influence is excited to share a story of humble obedience as a Cedar Falls attendee followed nudges to become involved with this organization. Lauren Nitzschke, a senior at UNI, became involved with Alternatives when one of the board... Continue reading

In September 2012, a PLC dental team, partnering with Fishers of Men International Missions, traveled to Belize. Dr. Mark Trunnell and his team of six focused on providing dental care to the students of St. Martin de Porres RC School in Blackman Eddy Village. Over 100 students received dental care—and lots of love, as the children found a special place in the hearts of the team. One student that captured hearts was 10 year old Lilian. "She came to us holding an old wash cloth in front of her face because she was so embarrassed by the way her mouth... Continue reading

Check out how Samaritan's Purse, one of PLC's Influence Partners is helping fight exploitation and abuse by educating and training men and women in Cambodia. Click here to see how God is working through Samaritan's Purse as they train volunteers and build up leaders to inform their communities about the dangers of trafficking and labor exploitation. Often times when you hear about human trafficking, most assume it is about young women being sold into brothels. This article paints an accurate picture of how men of all ages are affected by trafficking and labor exploitation. Join with us in prayer for... Continue reading