Frequently Asked Questions

Orchard Hill Church uses a team of teachers in its Sunday morning services, including, but not limited to: Doug Tensen, Jeff Mickey, Ed Baker, Dave Bartlett, Brian Steenhoek, and Stef Rohler. These teachers include staff and volunteer teachers. On occasion, others outside our core teaching team will teach. It is our belief that multiple gifted voices from different family situations, ages, genders and experiences provide our congregation with healthy and strong teaching from God's Word.

Orchard Hill does not use a senior pastor model of leadership. At one point in our history, Ed Baker was our senior pastor. As we moved toward being a gift-based church, we discovered that the Body of Christ is to be organized around God-given spiritual gifts and passions. We have transitioned to a form of leadership which acknowledges and celebrates the gifts and passions of our leaders. Ed then moved into a position which better utilizes his spiritual gifts. Currently, Brian Steenhoek, Jeff Mickey, and Rendi Scholten are the Senior Leaders of Orchard Hill. We continue to identify and celebrate the gifts and passions of our congregation and staff.

Orchard Hill is led by a team consisting of two groups of servant leaders. Our Leadership Board is a group of mature men and women, affirmed by the congregation of Orchard Hill Church, who provide the legal and fiduciary leadership to our congregation. These servants of Christ speak with one voice as they give guidance to the ministries of our church.

Our Senior Leadership Team is a group of three mature followers of Christ who provide operational leadership and day-to-day implementation of ministry to the mission of Orchard Hill Church. Brian Steenhoek, Rendi Scholten, and Jeff Mickey serve as our Senior Leaders who give leadership and vision to our Leadership Board, staff, and congregation.

During the school year, Orchard Hill Church has five Sunday morning services on three different campuses. Two services are held each Sunday morning at our Cedar Falls campus in the Community Center; one service is held each Sunday at our Grundy Center campus, and one service meets at 195 20th St NW, Suite D, in Waverly. Orchard has joined with a growing group of churches who are finding that God has called us to reach the mission He has given to us by meeting on three campuses, 44 miles apart. We are truly one church on three campuses. We share teachers, leaders, musicians, mission and budget.

We take the prayer of Jesus in John 17 very seriously. We believe that we are called by God to help be an answer to this prayer for unity within the body of Jesus. We also believe God sometimes works best through the partnership of different churches and organizations. We believe that God desires for us to recognize that all Christians in the Cedar Valley are spiritually one Church. We are called to place allegiance to Jesus far above any allegiance to a local church.

Orchard Central (both available online and by our Welcome Centers) is the spot for those who call Orchard Hill their home to register for events and other opportunities. Please visit orchardcentral.info.

OHC offers a Membership Class two times a year. This class is an opportunity to learn about Orchard Hill Church in a classroom setting where you can ask questions. There is no pressure to join following this class, but it will give you an idea of Orchard's mission and decide if our church is a good fit for you. Click here to find the next Membership Class dates.

Baptism is an important step in one's journey of faith. As one of the sacraments, baptism is a physical sign of a spiritual truth. At Orchard, we want to encourage you in this wonderful life event so there are many options when it comes to baptism.

Infant baptism: If you would like to have your child baptized at Orchard Hill, make plans to join us for our next parent baptism class. Please click here to find upcoming baptism dates and classes.

Private Infant baptisms or dedicaton: available for those who prefer an intimate and private celebration with their family. We still ask that you go through our parent baptism class. Please click here to find upcoming baptism dates and classes.

Adult Baptism: If you wish to be baptized at Orchard Hill, we first want to meet with you to hear about how you came to faith in Jesus and why you wish to be baptized. Then we will schedule a time to baptize you or you can be baptized at our yearly Celebration of Baptism in August. Please click here to find upcoming baptism dates and classes.

Orchard Hill has six vision statements that will lead us into the future. These include:

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Every individual attending OHC will continually and consistently grow spiritually to become more like Jesus

CONNECTION

OHC inspires a spiritual environment in which our people feel connected to one another and to God

OUTREACH

OHC attendees are convinced of Jesus' commandment to go into all the world and witness the gospel by helping people come on the arm of a trusted friend

THE NEXT GENERATION

OHC successfully reaches each next generation for Christ

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

OHC provides development for leaders who will impact the Church for years to come

MINISTRY RESOURCES & TOOLS

OHC provides for staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers the resources and tools needed for ministry.