Leadership

Pastors & Staff

Brian Stanley

Senior Pastor

Hi, my name is Brian. My wife (Dawn) and I have been serving as pastors to this wonderful group of people since 2009. I have a passion to bring hope to the hopeless and introduce them to the One who can give them new life. One of my greatest joys is serving with my family side-by-side in the ministry.  I love the outdoors and an ideal day for me is to be camping, fishing, or hiking.  I'm also a big Science Fiction buff (especially film) and may make more geeky movie references in my sermons than any other pastor in town - but, I'm not sure that's anything to boast about :) I'm glad you dropped by our website. I hope you'll stop by this Sunday and check us out. 
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Dawn Stanley

Student Ministries Director 

My name is Dawn. My husband (Brian) and I live in Urbandale and have 2 gorgeous, grown and godly adult daughters. It's been a privilege to serve this church with my family. I have specifically been leading the youth ministry at Lifehouse since 2010 and love every minute of it. One of my greatest desires is to see young people live a life that honors God and changes the world around them (1 Timothy 4:12). I hate to say it, but I'm a typical girly girl.... I LOVE shopping, mani's & pedi's, eating out, and chatting it up with my friends.
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Kelsey  Schlumbohm

Children's Ministry Director

Hi, I'm Kelsey, the Kids Ministry Director at LifeHouse Community Church. I'm married to Nick, and we have two wonderful young children. I have a deep passion for serving kids and helping them grow in their faith. Building relationships and discipling others is at the heart of everything I do. I love creating a welcoming and impactful environment where every child can thrive and learn about the love of Jesus. I'm excited to be a part of their spiritual journey and to see them grow in their relationship with God.
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Nick Behrends

Music Director

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Elders at Lifehouse

Our Elders serve as spiritual shepherds, providing oversight, wisdom, and care for the church. In alignment with 1 Timothy 3, they are called to lives of integrity, maturity, and faithfulness. They help guard the unity and doctrine of the church while supporting its overall direction and health. Their leadership ensures we remain grounded in Christ and focused on His mission.

Bob Hansel 

Elder & Board Member

Hello, I’m Bob. I live in Urbandale with my wife Rebekka and our two precious daughters. Our family has been faithfully attending Lifehouse since 2012, and I currently serve on the church board and we lead a small group in our home. Our hearts are to serve the local church as we reach out to share the love of Jesus with our community. So, when you visit feel free stop me and let me know if you have any questions.  I’d appreciate the opportunity to meet you.
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Brian Elsbecker

Elder & Board Member

My name is Brian and live in Clive with my wife Linda. We have been married for 32 years, have two grown boys and 4 grandchildren. We moved to Clive in 2015 and searched for a church immediately. We had visited many churches in the Des Moines area, but we are glad to call Lifehouse our home. I enjoy serving at Lifehouse and believe in our Core Values; Know, Grow, Live and Give. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family, home remodeling, fishing and tinkering in the garage.
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Tim Ganske

Elder & Board Member | LifeGroups Coach 

Hi, my name is Tim. My wife and I have 3 grown children and live in Clive. I have been at Lifehouse since its start. Though I am involved in many ways at Lifehouse, I am most passionate about the importance of LifeGroups. I have been involved in small groups for over 30 years and believe it is essential for the spiritual growth and health of the Christ-follower. LifeGroups are an amazing way to build personal relationships and church community. When I have a little free time, I enjoy golf, hunting, and Hawkeye football. 
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Alex VanderPloeg

Elder & Board Member  | Trail Life USA Troop Master

Hi, I’m Alex VanderPloeg. My wife, Tori, and I have been married since 2017, and we love doing life together with our two young children. I’ve been part of Lifehouse since 2016, and I truly can’t say enough about how much this church family means to me.

I grew up with a love for the outdoors and a passion for adventure, so I’m especially excited to serve as the Troop Master for Trail Life USA here at Lifehouse. It’s a privilege to help invest in the next generation in such a meaningful way.

Recently, I’ve also stepped into serving as a member of the elder team, which I count as a humbling opportunity to support and care for our church family.

I’m honored to serve at Lifehouse and be part of what God is doing in this community.
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Lay Leadership

Our Lay Leadership team is the quiet strength behind so much of what makes Lifehouse function week in and week out. These are the men and women who serve in key roles that help carry the mission forward and ensure each Sunday runs smoothly. Much of what they do happens behind the scenes—often unnoticed, but deeply felt if it were ever missing. Their faithfulness, consistency, and willingness to serve create the space for ministry to flourish, for people to feel welcomed, and for lives to be changed. We are incredibly grateful for their leadership and the vital role they play in the life of our church.

Rich Cranor

Technical Arts Team Lead

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Keren Terry

Global Mission Director

Hi, my name is Keren. My husband and I live in Clive with our two children. I was born in Honduras and have been personally involved with Global missions from an early age. I continue to have a passion for missions and have been a part of over 25 mission trips, from being a team member to being a team leader. Please reach out to me for any questions or interest you might have in global missions! 
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Rebekka Hansel

Women's Ministry Director | Head Deacon

Hi, my name is Rebekka and I live in Urbandale with my husband and our two daughters. We have been attending Lifehouse since 2012, and it's truly our joy to serve in our local church. I serve as a leader for our church women's group, Women of Valor. It's my heart to help equip and encourage women to walk in their calling and to live victorious lives in Christ. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes". (Ephesians 6:10-11)
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Cathy Tesar

Prayer Director

My name is Cathy and I live in Urbandale with my husband and our two beautiful daughters. We came to Lifehouse in 2011. God has changed my prayer life greatly since we’ve been at Lifehouse and has really stirred my heart in the area of prayer. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and writing. 
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Taylor Buckley

Chief Gatekeeper

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Darlys Purdy

Cafe Manager

Hi, my name is Darlys. I live in Des Moines. I have been calling Lifehouse home for many years now. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family, taking walks, and listening to audiobooks.
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Mary Ganske

Office Manager

Hi, my name is Mary. I reside in Clive with my husband, Tim. We have 3 grown children and are thoroughly enjoying our role as grandparents. I am an avid reader, a Hawkeye fan, enjoy all types of music, love to cook, and recently have added gardening to my hobbies. My family has been at Lifehouse from its beginning. I have served as an office manager since 2002. I appreciate how this role allows me to not only provide support for other staff, but to also help people who come through our doors learn about our amazing church community.
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Rachel Williams

ServeTeam (Volunteer) Coordinator

Hi, my name is Rachel. My husband Jerard and I live in Urbandale. We have been calling Lifehouse our church home since 2011. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and baking/cooking.
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Tori VanderPloeg

Office Admin | Social Media Coordinator 

Hi, My name is Tori. I married my high school sweet heart Alex, in 2017 and we now have two beautiful children. I have a heart to serve and do whatever God has called me to in every season of life. I have grown up at Lifehouse and couldn't imagine my life without my wonderful church family! I can't wait to meet you!
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Deacons at Lifehouse

At Lifehouse, Deacons serve a vital role in caring for the practical, physical, and logistical needs of the church. Rooted in the example of Acts of the Apostles 6:1–7, Deacons are spiritually mature leaders—full of wisdom, strong character, and led by the Holy Spirit—who are entrusted to support the ministry of the church. By faithfully serving in these areas, they help ensure that the mission of Lifehouse moves forward with strength and unity, allowing our pastors and elders to remain focused on prayer and the ministry of the Word.

Bob & Rebekka Hansel

Rebekka Serves as our Head Deacon

We live in Urbandale with our two daughters and have been faithfully part of the Lifehouse family since 2012. Over the years, we’ve had the joy of serving the church in a variety of ways, including leading a LifeGroup in our home and investing in the spiritual growth of those in our community.

We currently serve together as Deacons at Lifehouse, with Rebekka serving as Head Deacon. In addition, Rebekka leads our women’s ministry, Women of Valor, and is passionate about equipping and encouraging women to walk in their calling and live victorious lives in Christ.

We share a deep love for the local church and have a heart to help others experience the love of Jesus in a real and personal way.
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Nathan & Heidi Taljaard

Nathan & Heidi serve on the Deacon Team at Lifehouse, helping care for the physical and logistical needs of the church. They are committed to supporting the mission of Lifehouse and serving with humility, wisdom, and a heart for people.
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Cathy & Terry Tesar

Head of Local Missions @ Lifehouse

Terry & Cathy serve on the Deacon Team at Lifehouse, helping care for the physical and logistical needs of the church. They are committed to supporting the mission of Lifehouse and serving with humility, wisdom, and a heart for people.
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Josh & Audra Curtis

We live in Ankeny and have three children. We've been part of Lifehouse since 2009 and have had the joy of serving in many different areas over the years. Our family has been blessed to call Lifehouse home for so long, and we are grateful to serve along with the other deacons to help fulfill our mission as a church body.

Josh currently helps lead our Safety Team (Gatekeepers), working to create a secure and welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors.  Audra focuses on care ministries, including coordinating meals and supporting those who are sick or in the hospital, helping ensure people feel seen, loved, and cared for in tangible ways.
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Kevin & Kelli Koenigsberg

Kevin & Kelli serve on the Deacon Team at Lifehouse, helping care for the physical and logistical needs of the church. They are committed to supporting the mission of Lifehouse and serving with humility, wisdom, and a heart for people.
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In Loving Memory of John Weber

Men's Ministry Director | Elder & Board Member

John Weber faithfully served Lifehouse Community Church for over 25 years. Alongside his wife Mona, John became part of the Lifehouse family in 1998 and left an indelible mark on our church community. Throughout the years, John helped lead Life Groups, offered spiritual care through prayer ministry, and served as both an Elder and Board Member. His leadership was marked by humility, integrity, and a deep love for the Lord.


John had a heart for men’s ministry and was passionate about encouraging others to pursue God’s Word and walk in the power of the Spirit. His desire was always to help others grow deeper in faith, and he lived that out through mentorship, teaching, and service.


He also found great joy in life—traveling with Mona, casting a line with friends, cheering on the Hawkeyes, and sharing laughter with those around him. John was more than a leader; he was a brother, a shepherd, and a friend to many.


Though his passing was sudden, his legacy of faith, encouragement, and joyful service will continue to bless our church for generations to come.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

Listen to “Glory Awaits: Suffering and Hope” – John’s Final Message