A Casual Pentecostal Church on Army Post Road
On the south side of Des Moines, just off Army Post Road, Glad Tidings Assembly of God opens its doors to neighbors with the words, "All are welcome. Come as you are." The church sits at 314 East Army Post Road, a straightforward, family-shaped congregation rooted in the Assemblies of God tradition and known for a relaxed atmosphere where jeans and t-shirts sit comfortably alongside polos and suits.
Glad Tidings runs on a steady weekly rhythm. Sunday School gathers every age group at 9:30 AM, followed by the main worship service at 10:30 AM. On Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, the building fills again with children, students, and adults who all head to their own corners of the campus. Coffee and donuts in the fellowship hall before Sunday School are part of the weekly welcome.
What the Sunday Morning Service Feels Like
Glad Tidings is "a casual church" that loves to laugh and have a good time. Teaching is straight from Scripture: "We preach directly from the Word of God and encourage everyone to allow God's word to be a part of their lives on a daily basis." The worship style draws from the Assembly of God charismatic tradition, with an openness to altar prayer and extended time in God's presence. Visitors who need prayer are invited to come forward; those who want to "spend time in God's presence" are welcomed to the altar "to bask in His glory." Expect a contemporary, expressive gathering that leans into praise, prayer, and biblical preaching.
The Lead Pastor and His Family
Pastor Bill Wenig grew up in a minister's home in Iowa, graduated from Burlington High School and North Central University with a B.S. in Pastoral Studies, and was called to ministry at a young age. Before stepping into the lead role at Glad Tidings in the fall of 2008, he served four other Iowa Assemblies of God churches in Council Bluffs, Burlington, Mt. Pleasant, and Carroll. He and his wife Shari married in 1983 and have two children and four grandchildren. Their son Dan works as a CrossFit trainer in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and their daughter Erica lives and works in Washington, D.C.
Shari Wenig is originally from South Dakota, holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Buena Vista College, and is a Certified Minister with the Assemblies of God. She teaches and ministers on the worship team, and the church is a family the Wenigs love. Their shared anticipation is for "even greater things at Glad Tidings Assembly."
GTAG Kids: From Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Glad Tidings takes its next generation seriously, and the children's ministry reflects that. The nursery is open every Sunday for infants through potty-trained toddlers, with a similar option available on Wednesday nights. During the 10:30 AM service, two age groups meet in Kids' Kids Church. Three- and four-year-olds hear a lesson, do a craft, enjoy fast-paced worship, and have a snack. Kindergarten through fifth graders follow the same pattern with time for prayer, slower worship songs, and games woven in.
Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM bring a special program designed for kids with "BIG questions about God." Pre-K through fifth graders learn through hands-on object lessons, videos, and activities that engage their minds, hearts, and creativity. Sunday School at 9:30 AM is also open to three-year-olds through fifth graders in a small-group setting where kids can learn about God and make friends.
GTAG Youth: UnChained Student Ministries
Students gather on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM under the banner UnChained Student Ministries. "We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and the voice of freedom, unchained by our past or the world." The youth room is built around authenticity, fellowship, and an atmosphere where students encounter God. The teens value fun, fellowship, and experiencing God's friendship as they embrace His direction and destiny for their lives.
Errond is direct and has been part of Glad Tidings his whole life. Errond Powell grew up in the church, returned after earning a Bachelor's Degree in Youth, Family, and Children Studies from North Central University in 2024, and now serves full time as Youth Pastor after a nine-month internship. His passion is for teens "to feel known, challenged, and equipped to take ownership of their faith" in a ministry rooted in relationship and Christ.
Adult Ministries Across the Stages of Life
Adults at Glad Tidings find a steady set of connection points outside the main services. The men's ministry hosts quarterly events designed for fellowship, food, and the occasional shooting range, with the simple goal of helping men "encourage one another to be the best Godly man they can be." The women's ministry meets quarterly as well, creating space for women to connect with each other and encourage one another on their walk with God.
For the 50-and-up crowd, a dedicated ministry fosters spiritual growth and health through wholesome fellowship and shared outings. Sunday School classes at 9:30 AM cover every adult age group, giving the whole family a small-group environment to learn and connect before the main service. Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM offer Adult Bible Study as the third leg of the midweek rhythm alongside kids and youth.
Celebrate Recovery and the Wider Community
Glad Tidings hosts Celebrate Recovery on its campus, a Christ-centered program for those working through hurts, habits, and hang-ups. The ministry rounds out a church that is "a family united in our mission to spread the good news and make a positive impact in the world."
Out in the city, the church operates with a relaxed, relational posture. Visitors are invited not just to attend but to join the journey, a phrase the church returns to often. "Life is a journey, and we would love for you to join us on the journey."
What to Expect When You Visit
First-time guests can expect a low-key, come-as-you-are environment. Dress ranges from jeans to suits, and the dress code is essentially whatever you wore to get out the door. The building is family-friendly from the nursery up, and the Wednesday night programming gives kids, students, and adults their own dedicated spaces at the same hour.
What Glad Tidings Believes
The church holds to the Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, the denomination's doctrinal standard. From that foundation, Glad Tidings teaches that God's Word is "our guide, our sounding board, our window into who God really is, and our manual for how we should live our lives." The church is committed to worshiping together, growing in spiritual maturity, and reaching out to those in need, embodying the love and teachings of Jesus Christ in all that they do.
Giving and Staying Connected
Online giving is available, and contributions can also be made through Venmo at GladTidings-Assembly. A YouTube channel carries church content, and the church is active on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where weekly updates, encouragement, and event information are shared throughout the week.