Pastors Bob and Martha's greatest joy in ministry is helping people grow into the fullness of life which God intends for them. They see the activities of the church: worship, Christian fellowship, service, study, the sacraments, as vital means for that spiritual growth in Christ.
Pastors Martha and Bob model team ministry as they share equally in worship and preaching responsibilities, working with the committees and ministry teams of the congregation, and casting the vision for the future of the church. While they have been set apart as pastors by virtue of their ordination as Elders in the United Methodist Church, they understand that all Christians are in ministry by virtue of our baptism.
They maintain an "open door policy" at their offices at the Uptown church campus, and encourage you to drop by or contact them for further discussion and questions. They are eager to be in ministry with you!
Revs. Bob and Martha Ward began serving Ankeny First United Methodist Church as Lead Co-Pastors in January, 2000. They both earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, and Master of Divinity degrees from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. They entered ministry in 1980 following careers in law (Bob) and social work (Martha). They have served churches in Iowa in equal team ministry since 1983. Their son, David, currently attends Simpson College.
Contact Pastors Bob or Martha at
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Dick Pfaltzgraff - Associate Pastor
Rev. Richard C. Pfaltzgraff came to join the staff at Ankeny First United Methodist Church in July 1989 and served until July of 1993 at which time he left the staff because of an increased workload as Chaplain at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines. With a decreased workload at the VA, he returned to the staff at Ankeny First United Methodist Church in November of 1998 serving at the Faith Chapel.
His BA degree is from Westmar College and his M-Div degree is from Evangelical Theological Seminary now a part of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. His ordination was in 1951. Dick's wide range of experience has included serving as pastor at several churches in Iowa and serving as a District Superintendent within the United Methodist Church.
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John Wagner - Christian Life Center Site Director
John Wagner joined the staff at Ankeny First United Methodist Church on April 1, 2009. He earned his under-graduate degree from Wartburg College. Before joining staff, John worked in the Investment/IT field and was an active member of the church, helping to lead worship as a member of an AFUMC praise band, Risen. Feeling called into the ministry, John applied for the position of Site Director for the Christian Life Center. John's call was confirmed, and he is now working at the Christian Life Center (CLC) fulltime.
John's duties include planning for future ministries at the CLC which include our sports, activities, and fitness ministries. John is also responsible for sharing God's word with the congregation at the Christian Life Center, rotating with the lead Pastors by providing Sunday morning sermons.
John feels God's presence in and around this community and is constantly looking for new ways to spread God's ever-consistent message to an ever-changing world.
Contact John at
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Thom Bryant- Lay Minister of Faith Chapel
Thom Bryant joined staff at AFUMC on August 28, 2011. Before hearing his call to ministry and invitation to serve at our Faith Chapel site, he worked in management and sales in the retail field. Thom will graduate from the Iowa School for Lay Ministry in May of 2012 and is currently in the United Methodist Candidacy process to become a Licensed Local Pastor.
Thom is a half-time minister and shares God’s word with those at Faith Chapel three times a month. He loves sharing the love, message, and grace that God so freely offers to all; and showing how to use it in our daily lives to change the world.
Contact Thom at
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Thom Bryant- Lay Minister of Faith Chapel