DMCS Logo
 
Plumb Line
Summer 2010 
Calendar of Events
 
August 3
Discover DMCS Open House for Prospective Families
 
August 12
New Parent Orientation
All Parent Meeting
 
August 18
First Day of School
 
August 23
Preschool Experience Day
 
August 27
Football Season Opener vs. Pella Christian
 
August 30
School Picture Day
 
September 1
Volleyball Season Opener vs. Colo-Nesco
 
September 3
11th Annual DMCS Golf Tournament
 
September 24
Homecoming Game vs. Pleasantville
 
Be sure to check our online calendar for the most up-to-date information.
 
Thank You

Benefit and

Auction

Sponsors
 

Diamond 

Johnsrud Transport
 

Wellspring Parable Christian Store

Platinum 

Anonymous

Gold

Benefit Source
 

Stephen T. Durick, Attorney at Law

 

Silver
A.J. Gallaher Benefit Services

 

Anderson Erickson Dairy

 

Advanced Eye Care Center, Dr. Wendianne Wilson

 

Bethel University

 

Country Club Dental, Dr. Larry Long

 

Jim Manderfield, CRS, GRI

 


Park West Apartments

 

Photography by Patrice

 

Tops Plus


Vital Support System

Blue
America's Family Coaches
 

Class of 1999 Alumni Parents

 

Class of 2002 Alumni Parents

 

Colorado

Classics

 

Consumer Credit of Des Moines

 

Financial Forms

 

Hamilton's Funeral and Afterlife Service

 

Knapp Properties

 

Krause Gentle Foundation

 

Riemenschneider Law Firm, P.L.C.


Schuring & Uitermarkt, P.C.

 

Simonson and Associates, L.L.C.

 

The Yentes Family - In Memory of Klaas and Alice Groen

  

Thank You 
 Plumb Line
Sponsors
Benefit Source
 
Dordt
 
 Wellspring 
 

Des Moines Christian School Foundation 

Do you love Christian education, but are unable to give now? Leave your legacy for future generations by placing Des Moines Christian School Foundation in your will/estate plan.

Consult your financial planner or call DMCS
Foundation Representative Jim Miller at (515) 440-7661 or Development Director
Samona Yentes at (515) 252-2497.

Join Our Mailing List
Plumb Line is a publication of Des Moines Christian School.  Editorial content was provided by Development Director Samona Joy Yentes, Secondary Guidance Counselor Cindy Kostek, Sixth-Grade Teacher Jahna Duda, and DMCS Alumni Seth Vande Voort and Jeremy Cox. The Plumb Line was edited by Association Member Jennifer Erickson.

Contact Us

Administration    (515) 252-2480
 
Business Office    (515) 252-2494

Development Office (515) 252-2496 
 
Early Education     (515) 252-2482
 
Elementary Office (515) 252-2485
 
Secondary Office (515) 252-2490
 
 

For 61 years, Des Moines Christian School has been centered on the true, unchanging Word of God. The law of gravity, which establishes the resting point for the carpenter's plumb bob, was established by God. God established the plumb line of truth in His Word and will hold us accountable for any deviation from the center. Just as the carpenter dares not miss his exact vertical when erecting a wall, DMCS will not veer from our mission: Equipping students with an excellent Biblically-directed, Christ-centered education.

 
Spotlight On...  Class of 2010
 
Class of 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Back row (L-R): Jake Bruce, Josiah Nelson, Sebastian Bailey, Sophie Kopf, Seth Vande Voort, Solomon Keithley, Josh Arment, Branden Stubbs, Sean Eikenberry, Tad Driscoll, David Carlson, Mark Dadisman, Cole Lemon, Colin Anderson, Yaw Sapon-Amoah, Ryan Burkett, Aaron Ventling, Ryan Blumer. 
Middle row (L-R): Tanner Price, Kelsey Krehlik, Kaitie Vander Linden, Stephen Troll, Jordan Nickerson, Ben Wolfe, Corey Cox, Lauren Woodyard, Megan Adamson, Allison Luscombe, Jennifer Brooke, Amanda Lowery, Rachel Wiele, Bethany McCall, Erik Puricelli, Cameron Macdonald, Andy Cooper.
Front row (L-R): Alex Latcham, McKenzie Schmitt, Sam Smith, Min Kim, Ashli Fanning, Matt DeHaan, Shayleen Hickle, Abbie Toulouse, Kayla Abbott, Emily Hall, Hannah Heilskov, Kirsten Krause, Hannah Hoegh, Kassie Ruble, Emily Darnielle

Student speakers included Abbie Toulouse, Valedictorian and Jennifer Brooke, Salutatorian. Stephen Troll and Jordan Nickerson offered the invocation and benediction, respectively.
 
Annual Benefit Exceeds Goal 
Senior guard / tackle Alex Latcham finds a high bidder in the crowd.
 
Latcham@Benefit_10
 
The Bridge at Lutheran Church of Hope provided an ideal venue for over 300 guests at the Annual Benefit and Auction on April 9. Musical selections by elementary and secondary students, a presentation by senior Bible students, and moving parent testimonies provided even those who were unfamiliar with DMCS with clear message about the mission, vision, and values of the school. Paul and Donna Nelson were honored with a standing ovation for over two decades of service from an audience that included nearly 30 friends from Westkirk Presbyterian Church, where Paul will serve as Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries.

Many new and creative items, particularly by students, boosted the silent and live auction proceeds to a record $35,000. Auctioneer Ray Veenstra, assisted by the competitive jocularity of our football coaches and players, kept the audience entertained. Total proceeds from the event generated over $105,000 for Christian education.

"This is our biggest event to help fund our work for the Lord at DMCS," said Dr. Bob Stouffer, "and it is such an encouragement to be surrounded by others who care about Christ-centered education." Parent and teacher Sharon Zonnefeld added, "I love the benefit, because it reminds me why it is such a blessing to work at and have our daughters enrolled at the school."

Special guests included Rev. & Mrs. Keith A. Ratliff Sr. and Chuck and Chris Hurley from Joshua Christian Academy, Dr. Aaron Gonzalez from Iowa Christian Academy, State Senator and Congressional Candidate Brad Zaun, State Representative Chris Hagenow, and US Senator Chuck Grassley, who updated his Facebook page while at the event.

Mark your calendars for April 15, 2011 for next year's event!
So Anyway...   Jeremy Cox, Class of 1992
JC, Colby, Julie, Lola & Jeremy Cox
Cox_Family
 
I like to start stories with those two words because it is an easy way to connect the past, present and future. So anyway, I graduated from Des Moines Christian in 1992. I had the privilege of playing on the first basketball team that made it to sub state. Yeah, I know, the teams are much better now, but it sure was exciting at the time. I attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO and met my amazing wife Julie. We have 3 kids now with a fourth one on the way.
 
After graduating from college with a BA in youth ministry, I taught 7th grade at Ruskin Christian School in Florida for three years. During my time as a school teacher, I founded a study skills training company called Study Smarts. We have trained more than 40,000 students in over 46 states During my time running Study Smarts, I have also worked as a college pastor, campus pastor, youth pastor and currently I am developing content for www.lifechurch.tv.  My education at DMCS helped prepare me in two ways; it gave me a great education so I could help educate others and it also set the tone for my spiritual life so I could help others develop their relationship with Jesus. Thank you DMCS! 
 
In His Own Words  Seth Vande Voort, Class of 2010 
 Seth Vande Voort
VandeVoort
 
Going to Des Moines Christian School, from kindergarten through high school, has been nothing short of incredible. I have made friendships that I will have into adulthood, studied many subjects, and discovered more about God. My teachers cared deeply that I learned the material and that I learned it through a Christian worldview. They also were concerned that in each class I learned more about God and what he has done for me. My coaches were also remarkable. They taught me how to play a sport to the best of my ability and how to give God all the glory for success I had. In football, our coaches used the game to train us how to live life and become men of God. They would constantly talk about how to be successful in God's eyes, in life, and in football. This spilled over to every part of our lives and was obvious because of the most successful football season in DMC history. It was a blast to go out and win games by smashing other teams, and then witnessing to them by helping them up after the play. I will never forget my time at DMC, and I will cherish my memories there forever.
New Two-Year-Old Classroom Opens
Two-Year-Old_Room
 
The Early Education Department opened a new classroom this spring to accommodate parent demand for two-year-old care. A small construction project was needed to outfit the classroom with a teeny-tiny bathroom and sink as well as diaper changing facilities. The room opened with seven eager two-year olds and is now full with twelve two-year olds. There is currently a six-month waiting list.

National Honor Society Students Visit Urban School
Cindy Kostek, Secondary Guidance Counselor 
 
On April 16th, thirty-one members of the DMCS National Honor Society enjoyed a day of fellowship with the 9 students at Joshua Christian Academy. Dr. Stouffer joined the students on the bus before departing to share the history and miracle of JCA. The bus departed and the students traveled to Maple Street Baptist Church where the JCA kids begin their morning with worship and chapel time. Pastor Ratliff and Mrs. Peters introduced their students and each one was assigned 4 "big friends" from DMCS. The next hour was spent tidying up the neighborhood and cleaning the JCA van. The DMCS students invited their new friends to ride our bus with them to the Logan Center where the students reside for the rest of the day. Mrs. Peters lead the children in reciting several lengthy Bible passages accompanied by wonderful sign language. The JCA students then read to their small groups and brought out their favorite games. After a very competitive game of Connect Four (won by one of the JCA boys) Jenn Brooke, our NHS president, led the group in worship followed by prayer for JCA. I can confidently say everyone who participated in the day was touched, especially the older DMCS students who were inspired by the joy these students have, despite the fact that they have one room where they attend class. It was an eye opening experience for all of us.
Sixth Graders Serve at Bethel Mission
Jahna Duda, Sixth-Grade Teacher  

Our day at Hope Ministries began with an orientation about the mission of Hope Ministries and Bethel Mission. A "homeless man" shared how he went from being a college-educated, Christian businessman, husband, and father, to being homeless. This man was Hope Ministry Development Director David Burrier, whose personal understanding of how people become homeless drives his passion to help others who find themselves in that same situation.

Next, we broke into small groups. One group served lunch to the men who lived in the shelter; the second group served lunch to the community members who come there for lunch; another group had to skip lunch and only eat two crackers each, another group could only eat canned beef stew with no utensils (!); and the last group stood in line to eat lunch with the community members who came to the Hope Café.

The students learned many things, realizing they had nothing to fear and how they take their blessings for granted. Students with growling stomachs all concluded that it is wonderful to have a meal waiting for them at home. Several students noted that we should not judge the homeless and assume they are free-loaders. Students commented about how happy the people were, even though they had absolutely nothing.

Our students were a great representation of Christ and of DMCS. I literally spent the day in tears, as one student after another would demonstrate compassion and empathy. We needed that trip maybe more than the men at the shelter!! I pray it was life changing and that it builds in them a desire to make a difference in their community.

"Is This a Country Club?"   Samona Yentes, Development Director

That may sound like a humorous question for a Christian school, but it is a question that has been asked "outright" and "in so many words" by prospective parents who call to inquire about Des Moines Christian School. It is the blessing and the bane of a God-ordained purchase 12 years ago of 27 acres of pastureland and a steel tennis building in what was to become the most expensive zip code in Iowa.

The short answer is emphatically, "NO!" Every family sacrifices at some level to attend DMCS. Granted, some families are able to write one check for their children's tuition, but they still have to prioritize those funds from some other need or want. Many - and I would surmise MOST - families make real decisions about the homes they purchase, the cars they drive, their entertainment choices, and whether or not to take a vacation, in order to afford a Christ-centered education. They choose to give up what some might call "needs" in order to provide a greater need - that of placing their children in a godly education environment.

Then, there are the families that make up about 20% of the school population, for whom there is simply not enough money to either prioritize or sacrifice. Those families apply and qualify for tuition assistance in various forms. DMCS provided over $300,000 in tuition assistance during the 2009-2010 school year; next year the need will be even greater. As we begin the 2010-2011 school year, our estimated needs are as follows:

                            Total qualified students: 125
Golf LogoTotal estimated financial need: $365,000
Christian Scholar Grants: $60,000 (partially funded by Golf Tournament)
School Tuition Organization funds $220,000
Scholarship fundraising goal for 2010-2011: $85,000
 
How can you help make the dream of Christian education a reality for families regardless of their income?  Join the Golf Tournament as a golfer or sponsor. Or make a gift to DMCS, designating it to "scholarships." Gifts may not be directed to a specific student. Scholarship gifts, like all other donations to DMCS, are tax-deductible.
 
Contact Peggy Lettow, Events Coordinator, for registration or sponsorship information.
 
Two Seniors & Sousie
Congratulations to all the DMCS students who distinguished themselves at the West Central Activities Conference Art Show on May 10, 2010! A total of 61 students participated and earned a total of 83 awards!

DMCS junior Rachel Hansen won a National Scholastics Gold Key for her work above titled, "Two Seniors and a Sousie." She also scored a first place in the West Central Activities Conference Art Show in colored pencil.

Pictured in the pencil drawing are her friends Jenn Brooke (left) and Amy Bailey, Class of '10, and Noah Nichols, Class of '12.

"May all these efforts bring glory and honor to Yourself through the lives of those educated here. We are not asking that the graduates become rich, famous or important. We ask for character, integrity, faithfulness, devotion and we ask that you grant them leadership." 

 Phillip Dylhoff, 1959 DMCS 9th Grade Graduate