Summer for the City
We love our city! Whether Ankeny or Carlisle, FFC is for the good of the cities where God has placed us and seeing Christ glorified there.
This summer, we'll be offering various events and serving opportunities for our church family with the aim of loving our cities well. Events are for the purpose of inviting neighbors/friends/coworkers in, and the serving opportunities are about getting out into the communities and loving the people that live there. Learn more below:
Ankeny Events
VBS
Jun 9–12 | 6–8pm
Kids entering K–5th grade are invited to join us for BUILD Vacation Bible School! Mark your calendars and join us from 6-8pm as we learn how to build our lives on the solid rock of Jesus. Invite a friend to join you!
317 SE Magazine Road, Ankeny
VBS Family Celebration
Jun 13 | 6–8pm
Families are invited to join us for a movie and game night to celebrate a great week of VBS! We’ll have a popcorn bar, short movies in the Worship Center, and games for families to play together. It will be a come-and-go event with fun for the whole family!
317 SE Magazine Road, Ankeny
Park Parties
Jun 30, Jul 21, Aug 11 | 5–7pm
Pack a picnic or just come to play at the park! We’ll provide a sweet treat. Invite your Small Group or a neighbor friend to join you for a fun night enjoying the summer weather!
June: Miracle Park – 310 NW School Street
July: Big Creek State Park Beach Shelter 2
August: Crestbruck Park – 1001 NE Crestmoor
Ankeny Summerfest Parade
Jul 13 | 9am
Join other FFCers in the Ankeny Summerfest parade and help promote FFC by passing out candy and invites! Sign up here.
Family Movie Nights
Jul 17, Aug 14 | 8pm (around dusk)
Bring your lawn chair and favorite movie treats, and join us for a free movie under the stars! We’ll be showing Up at the July movie night and Cars at the August movie night. Invite someone to join you for this fun night!
317 SE Magazine Road, Ankeny
Back-To-School Giveaway
Aug 10 | 10am
Any families who need help with school supplies are invited to join us for a free back-to-school giveaway! Come and grab a backpack and fill it with the items your child needs for the new school year. Donation information will be shared at a later time. Spread the word!
317 SE Magazine Road, Ankeny
Carlisle Events
VBS
Jun 17–20 | 6–8pm
Kids entering K–6th grade are invited to join us for BUILD Vacation Bible School! Mark your calendars and join us from 6-8pm as we learn how to build our lives on the solid rock of Jesus. Invite a friend to join you!
North Park, 725 N 1st St, Carlisle
VBS Family Celebration
Jun 21 | 6–8pm
Families are invited to join us for a movie and game night to celebrate a great week of VBS! We’ll have a popcorn bar, short movies in the parking lot of the Carlisle Office, and games for families to play together. It will be a come-and-go event with fun for the whole family.
Carlisle Office, 90 IA-5, Carlisle
Carlisle 4th of July Parade
Jul 4 | 9:30am | Garfield Street
Join other FFCers in the Carlisle 4th of July parade and help promote FFC by passing out candy and invites! Contact Ethan Woodward to get involved.
Family Movie Night
Jul 14 | 8pm (around dusk)
Bring your lawn chair and favorite movie treats, and join us for a free movie under the stars! We’ll be showing the movie Up. Invite someone to join you for this fun night!
Carlisle Office, 90 IA-5, Carlisle
Pool Party
Jul 28 | 7–9pm
Mark your calendars and join us for a fantastic night of fellowship and fun at the pool. Let’s make a splash together and celebrate the joy of summer and community! $1 entry fee up to $5 per family. Invite another family to join you! Purchase tickets (125 available) at the Carlisle office or before or after the service on Sunday morning.
Carlisle Aquatic Center, 1230 S Fifth St, Carlisle, IA
Park Party
Aug 18 | 5pm
Don’t miss the fun! Pack your picnic blankets and dinner and join us for an evening at the park. Invite your friends, neighbors, and family to join us as we pack the park for a night of fun. Grills and games will be available throughout the park for a fun night! This event will be a come-and-go event with fun for the whole family.
North Park, 725 N 1st St, Carlisle
Local Ministry Opportunities
In addition to these events, we're encouraging all FFCers to get involved in local ministries serving the good of their communities! You can serve and/or donate at local ministries like Ankeny Service Center, Agape Pregnancy Center, Alpha Women's Center, Freedom for Youth, Love Lunches, and Meals from the Heartland.
Learn more below, and contact Pastor Travis if you'd like to get connected to helping one of these local ministries!
The Ankeny Service Center coordinates services and referrals for residents of Ankeny and northern Polk County. They exist to serve the underserved in our community by meeting immediate needs, as well as providing a path to success.
Monetary donations: online
Volunteer (may require an application process): transportation, food pantry, lawn care, minor home repair, food rescue/donation pick up, office assistance
AGAPE Pregnancy Center demonstrates the truth and unconditional love of Jesus in a safe and confidential environment to women, men, and families experiencing pregnancy or the effects of sexual relationships.
Monetary donations: online
Item donations: Amazon Wishlist; baby shower list; hygiene pantry drive
Volunteer (may require: sorting, cleaning, project workdays, lawn care), Love Project (hosting an event/fundraiser)
Alpha Women’s Center is a Christian organization that seeks to help women who find themselves unexpectedly expecting. We offer practical, material, emotional, and spiritual support.
Monetary donations: online
Item donations: list online
Volunteer (may require an application process): sorting donation, stocking/organizing resource closet, cleaning, helping clients
Other – giving calendar; ideas for events/drives; prayer
Freedom for Youth offers real hope through meeting real needs in Des Moines. Our mission is grounded in the transformative power of the Gospel.
Monetary donations: online
Item donations: list online, Amazon Wishlist
Volunteer (may require an application process): providing a meal, children’s ministry, cleaning, discipleship, English education, family game nights, food pantry/clothing, special events, summer camps
Love Lunches helps provide consistent meals to children and families that are food insecure during the summer months. They provide healthy lunches and a place to connect with others from our community.
- Serve onsite from 11am-1pm
- Drop off prepared food at 11am
- Donation items to drop off in the Student Center or Connect center
- Sams or Fareway gift cards
- Fruit cups
- Individual serving size bags of chip
- Sams or Fareway gift cards
Meals from the Heartland is a faith-related organization that believes in the importance of prayer, volunteer service and financial giving to help save starving children. They are made up of volunteers from businesses, schools, churches, community organizations and beyond who package meals for delivery to malnourished people in Iowa, across the United States and around the world.
Monetary donations: online
Other ways to give: Smash Park (percentage of purchase), Hy-Vee One Step Cereal
Volunteer (may require an application process): package meals, pack master, bucket brigade, greeter, label coordinator