Worshipping at First United Methodist Church - 1001 Pleasant St., Des Moines, IA 50309
(services held in native Mabaan language)
Sunday: Worship 12:30 -2 pm • Sunday School: 1 - 2 pm • Sunday: Mabaan Language Classes: 6 - 8 pm
Wednesday: Committee Prayers: 11:30 am - 12:00 pm • Youth Program 6 - 7:45 pm
Pastor Aaron Limmo: Cell: (515) 322-5845 | Email: [email protected]
As members of the South Sudanese (Mabaan) United Methodist Church we are from the Mabaan tribal group in the Upper Nile State of our country. This state is nestled close to Ethiopia in a grassland, swamp and rain forest area straddling both banks of the White Nile.
Many of us endured hardships because of the fighting taking place in our homeland over many years. This struggle for power has caused many of us to flee to Ethiopia Refugee camps or to be resettled here in the United States and specifically in Des Moines.
The Mabaan speaking community has formed the South Sudanese United Methodist Church. It is recognized by GCFA and supported by the Iowa Annual Conference. Our services are at First United Methodist Church at 1001 Pleasant Street in downtown Des Moines.
Pastor Aaron Limmo is in his third year serving as our pastor. Presently Pastor Aaron is taking the Course of Study. New lay leadership is being developed as committees (PPRC, Finance, Education) are formed within the group. Daily Bible studies and prayer meetings are held. Two men are enrolled in the School for Lay Ministry. Our women are taking English language and U.S. Citizenship classes.
Sunday School classes are held for elementary children as well as Tweens on Sundays during the worship service. Camperships were made available for 15 children/Tweens in 2018 with the hope that financial assistance will again be given for 2019.
An exciting activity is the newly formed soccer teams for young kids and older youth. Equipment has been purchased including uniforms and balls. What is now needed is a backstop/goal.
Our desire is to provide spiritual nurturing to the Mabaan families in Des Moines and also with our extended family and friends in Storm Lake and Omaha. We are grateful to the Iowa Annual Conference for the multiple ways they have supported our ministries. Monetary support may be sent through your local church to the conference treasurer marked #267 Mabaan.