ABOUT US
At CEM, we passionately desire everyone to have the freedom to connect with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. We accomplish this by starting new independent Christian churches founded in the Restoration Movement. We want people to understand God’s great love for them and consequently find freedom in Christ.
Why Do We Exist?
The population of Iowa is currently over three million people with only 120 independent Restoration Movement Christian Churches. We need to plant churches in our big cities and suburbs. For example, in the Greater Des Moines area, only 1 in 10 people go to any kind of church of a population of about 600,000. We also need to start new churches in the country. One-third of our state population (3 million) live in small towns of less than 2,000 people. That is one million people scattered in rural areas. People in Iowa need Jesus.
How Resources Are Used
Since 1957, CEM has a proven track record of starting new independent Christian churches. Our Board of Directors is voluntary so that all monetary gifts given to CEM go toward the church planting process. CEM directors invest in church planting opportunities by making new relationships with pastors and church leaders and building upon our existing relationships. They are available to churches for encouragement and leadership training.
We also encourage and follow up with our new church planters and invest in recruiting potential planters. Our church planters’ full salaries are paid by CEM for a minimum of two years. This period gives them time to build the new church's internal structure and funding for the church to take over future financial responsibility.
To see a list of churches CEM has planted over the years, click here.
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Meet the CEM Team
Financial Director, Jule Loy Gray
Jule ensures CEM's resources are stewarded wisely. When asked why CEM important to her, she explains, "Since I am a volunteer, I donate my hours and efforts as a service to God."
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Jule has a fascinating background! She spent most of her life in law enforcement (over 20 years). Jule was the first female Deputy Sheriff in the State of Iowa, as the Union County (Creston), Iowa, Sheriff’s Department in 1973 and became Civil Service qualified in 1975. She graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in 1978. Jule recalls that as a child, she wanted to be a missionary, and later a registered nurse. Quite a different vision from law enforcement!
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Later, Jule became adept in computer skills, with early coding, and creating payment systems for companies. She added bookkeeping services to her resume along the way. She loves to learn new computer applications and has helped CEM update financial practices. We are grateful to Jule for volunteering such expertise!
Administrative Coordinator, Stephanie Lichter
Stephanie grew up on a farm near Alta, Iowa and began following Jesus at a young age. She enjoys serving behind the scenes and previously worked as the Communications Secretary at Northwest Christian Church in Alta.
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Stephanie and her husband, Nathan, and their four children took a leap of faith and moved to Indianola, Iowa in the summer of 2024 when Nathan accepted an Associate Pastor position at the Indianola Church of Christ. Stephanie credits CEM with playing a big role in her family's journey as Nathan was part of our Residency Program. Stephanie is humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve with an organization that has meant so much to her family, and we are so thankful for her!
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Stephanie enjoys going on walks, thrifting, a good bonfire, visiting over coffee, and playing games with her family.
CEM Board Members
Tom Steele
Board President
Lead Pastor, Iowa City Church
Located in: Iowa City, Iowa
Bud Wood
Board Treasurer
Volunteer Leader, Webster City Church of Christ; Business Owner
Located in: Webster City, Iowa
Dennis Dorsheimer
Board Secretary
Minister to Seniors, First Church of Christ
Located in: Ankeny, Iowa
Tony Brandt
Board Vice President
Lead Pastor, Central Church of Christ
Located in: Griswold, Iowa
Dale Harlow
Board Member
Lead Pastor, Northfield Church of Christ
Located in: Fort Dodge, Iowa
Where Do You Fit In?
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“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. John 4:34-36
Both sower and reaper get to celebrate together because God uses their hard work to bring in the harvest. If you haven’t yet joined the work God has called CEM to do, please consider becoming a supporter through your prayers and financial gifts.
Visit our Donate page to see all the ways you can support this vital ministry!