'Be involved in Christian service'

“We’ve got to be about inviting people to be disciples of Jesus Christ,” said Joe Kelley, keynote speaker for the annual gathering of Iowa Conference United Methodist Men.  Kelley, a prayer advocate and men’s ministry specialist, spoke on Saturday, April 1, at Altoona United Methodist Church.
 

Click here to see an album of photos from the UMM meeting

Norm Veldhuizen, current Iowa UMMen president, opened the day with devotions and, with Joe Riddle, singing some “old favorite” hymns.  Veldhuizen told the group, “God equips each of us to be an agent of Jesus Christ.”  He added, “no matter what age we are we can serve the Lord,”
 
Scott Knudtson, from Reinbeck UMC, was elected to be president, beginning September 1, along with the slate of officers for the coming year. Knudtson issued a challenge to “bring younger men with you” when United Methodist Men gather.  “We are going to bring younger men back to UMMen,” he declared.
 

“United Methodist Men has made me what I am in Jesus Christ, today,” keynoter Joe Kelley revealed.  Citing John 15 the Louisiana UMMen leader said, “We have to love others before we can be about loving ourselves.”  He went on to ask the group how it can support others who don’t have fathers or the presence of men in their lives.  He wondered, “How can we put our arms around their shoulders?” and answered by saying, “We are called to be those people who will walk the walk of Christ with them…and keep on keepin’ on.”  He also encouraged everyone to “be involved in some Christian service…all the time!”

---

 

Iowa UMMen Executive Committee (becomes effective 9/1/17)

President:  Scott Knudtson [email protected]
6321 Viking Road
Cedar Falls, IA 50613-7412 
319-230-3182 
 
Bishop:  Laurie Haller [email protected]
2301 Rittenhouse Street
Des Moines, IA 50321-3101
515-974-8902  
[email protected]
 
1st Vice president:   Brian Cressey [email protected]
615 14th Ave NW
Altoona, IA 50009
515-669-1306
 
Secretary:  Jim Smith [email protected]
205 Parkhurst, Lacey 
New Sharon, IA 50207-8040
641-295-4918 
 
Treasurer:  Norman Veldhuizen [email protected]
328 SE 72nd Street 
Pleasant Hill IA  50327-8073
H:  515-262-2235
C:  515-306-4635  
 
Ex Officio:  Dan Houston [email protected]
15303 Airline Ave
Urbandale IA 50323
515-991-4797
 
Central District President:  Norman Veldhuizen [email protected]
328 SE 72nd Street 
Pleasant Hill IA  50327-8073
H:  515-262-2235
C:  515-306-4635  
 
North East District President:  Scott Knudtson [email protected]
6321 Viking Road
Cedar Falls, IA 50613-7412 
319-230-3182 
  
South Central District President:  JimSmith [email protected] 
205 Parkhurst, Lacey 
New Sharon, IA 50207-8040
641-295-4918 
 
South West District Co-coordinator:  George Volz [email protected]
228 Highway St
Carson, IA 51525-2354
H:  712-484-3487
C:  402-306-4595
 
South West District Co-coordinator:  Joe Riddle [email protected]
225 N Central, PO Box 267
Carson, IA 51525-0087
H:  712-484-3830
C:  402-651-8967
 
Conference Prayer Advocate:   Jim Smith [email protected]
205 Parkhurst, Lacey 
New Sharon, IA 50207-8040
641-295-4918 
 
Self Help Liaison:  Dennis Preslicka [email protected] 
 925 Barrington Road
Iowa City, IA 52245
319-338-2832
 
Hunger Relief Advocate:  Art Kistler [email protected], [email protected]
745 Perry Court
Iowa City, IA 52245
319-337-4415
 
Scouting/Youth Coordinator:  Jerry Spencer [email protected]
P O Box 296
Roland, IA 50236
515-290-6742
 
Conference Lay Leader:  Margaret Borgen [email protected] 
2504 Forest Drive
Des Moines, IA 50312
H:  515-243-2400
C:515-490-9328