Ashworth Church - West Des Moines

Technology surrounds us. It answers our questions, makes our lives easier, entertains us, allows us to communicate across the world, and so much more. Although technology can be used for good, it can also quickly distract, depress, and control us. In this message, Pastor Brent challenges us to return technology to its proper place and lift our eyes up to the Maker of heaven and earth.

Our attitude towards money and possessions matters. Does your money and stuff control you, or do you control it? Jesus never said that money was bad, but our heart posture towards it can easily turn money from a tool to be used for the Kingdom into an idol that can destroy our lives and relationships with Jesus.

We’ve created a system that teaches us that we are only as good as our last successes. Where does God say our value comes from, though? Follow along as we take a look at the idols of success and achievement, learning that God cares more about who we are than what we do.

What are you living for? Your career, money, achievements, or even your family? We center our lives around countless things and relationships that often take up more of our hearts and minds than our love for Jesus. Follow along as we explore the counterfeit gods of our age in hopes that we come closer to the one, true God.

As we look towards 2025, we also have the opportunity to look back at all God has done in and through us in 2024. Take a moment to reflect with us.

Join us as we conclude the Advent series with A Time for Wonder. Reflect on how childlike awe can re-enchant our lives and draw us closer to God. From the extraordinary acts of Jesus to finding beauty in the ordinary, discover how wonder opens our hearts to God’s presence. Let’s cultivate curiosity, slow down, and marvel at the breathtaking work of our Creator this season.

Who is God, and does He want to be known? The practice of revelation is a crucial part of faith that we often miss. In this message, Pastor Brent invites us to humbly seek Jesus and His Kingdom this Advent season and each day of the year.

One would like to think the holiday season only brings merriment and joy, but most know that the Christmas season can also be full of trials. Listen as Pastor Brent shares a word of encouragement. Advent reminds us that in darkness and difficulty, we are not alone.

Join Pastor Brent for the first message in our new Advent series, Wonder, as we reflect on how God offers renewal during the Christmas season. Isaiah 40 reminds us that God brings strength to the weary and restoration to the brokenhearted. As we enter this season of wonder, discover how waiting on the Lord and seeking His presence can bring true renewal to your life. Let this Christmas be a time o...

Celebrate Thanksgiving by reflecting on God’s goodness in the past and His provision for the future. Both Pastor Brent and Pastor Amy help us reflect on how God is working in our lives and community in this special service.

As followers of Christ, we become the dwelling place of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Amy concludes our series by exploring how the Holy Spirit both transforms and empowers us to live lives fully devoted to Jesus.

The weapons of the world are powerless in our spiritual battle. So, how should we fight? Listen as Pastor Brent shares about the importance of prayer, Scripture, and more in spiritual warfare.

The book of Ephesians tells us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). What does that mean and look like in everyday life? Knowing who our enemy is and where the real battle takes place greatly shapes how we fight.

Despite our rationalized, Western view of reasoning, there is more to the world than meets the eye. A spiritual battle rages around us; we choose how to respond to it.

Throughout the last few weeks, we’ve learned what it means to cross the line — with ourselves, into community, during conflict resolution, and ultimately into the world. In the race of life, we will encounter sin and struggles that may entangle the race marked out for us. The journey into emotional health involves learning to notice and name our emotions in the presence of God. What could be hinde...

What should the church’s relationship look like with the world? As individuals, how should we interact with the people around us? The world longs to be seen, heard, and loved. As followers of Jesus, we have an opportunity to engage in the ministry of reconciliation with our community.

Conflict is bound to happen, and how we deal with it matters. Listen as Pastor Brent shares what reconciliation can look like when we approach conflict with humility, love, vulnerability, and honesty. God doesn’t just want us to be reconciled with Himself; He also longs for reconciliation among His people.

It’s not easy to press into relationships. Whether people have hurt us or we just don’t have the energy or courage to find a healthy community, many of us find ourselves lonely. Listen as Pastor Amy shares how to build healthy relationships by leaning into vulnerability and even awkwardness! Here, we don’t just find community; we find Jesus.

How do you know yourself? It’s a question that has many different answers, but perhaps it begins with knowing who you are in Christ: a child of divine love. Listen as Pastor Brent guides us in exploring both false and true identities, ultimately helping us know ourselves more deeply so we can know God more deeply.

As we learn what it means to pursue full mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health, we decided to ask a few experts in the mental health field, Anna Keppen and Matthew Becker, to share their knowledge and experiences with us. How can we take steps towards wholeness? How can we support the people around us as we pursue emotionally healthy spirituality?

To know God, we also have to know ourselves. Pastor Brent kicks off a new series that highlights the significance of honest, authentic relationships—the ones we have with ourselves, with others, with our community, and with God. As we learn more about who we are, we also learn more about who God is.

Celebration is a spiritual discipline. We have the opportunity to celebrate God’s goodness, even in the midst of life’s difficulties. Follow along as Pastor Amy, Pastor Brent, and our worship team share what true joy looks like in this final message of our sermon series.

Where am I? Where is God? Why am I here? We find honest emotions, thoughts, and prayers from the authors of the Psalms. In Psalms 42 and 43, the practice of lament takes center stage. Listen as Pastor Brent explores the importance of lament and grief in our walks with Jesus.

Psalm 58 brings out a lot of challenging emotions. Vengeance. Anger. Desperation. How should we approach a passage of Scripture so unlike the kind and compassionate Jesus we cling to? Pastor Brent explores how Christ-followers can deal with complex emotions like anger, ultimately inviting us to pray honestly and trust God to deal with injustice.

God reveals Himself through His Word. However, God’s Word isn’t just meant to be studied. It’s meant to be a way of life that draws us closer in heart and mind to King Jesus. Pastor Brent takes a look at Psalm 119, which describes the beauty of God’s precepts and ultimately leads us to Jesus—the Word made flesh.