Churches in Downtown Des Moines

Active churches in Downtown Des Moines

1800 Grand Ave, Des Moines
dsmcc.org
1 sermon · 5 days ago
1001 Pleasant Street, Des Moines
dmfirstchurch.org
1 sermon · 5 days ago
218 6th Ave, Suite 200
thegatewaychurch.com
1 sermon · 5 days ago
600 6th Ave., Des Moines
stjohnsdsm.org
1 sermon · 5 days ago
607 High St, Des Moines
saintambrosecathedral.org
1 sermon · 5 days ago
814 School Street, Des Moines
corinthianbc.org
1 sermon

Types of churches in Downtown Des Moines

Non-denominational

Modern music, practical teaching, and a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere — popular with young adults and families who want a welcoming community without strong denominational ties.

Mainline & historic

Traditional worship with beautiful sanctuaries, choral music, and liturgical services — congregations that connect faith with history and a long-standing community presence.

Students & young adults

With the University of Colorado nearby, many churches emphasize student ministry — Bible studies, worship nights, and service opportunities built for people in their college and early-career years.

Family-friendly

Strong kids’ programs, youth groups, and safe, supportive environments — with Sunday school, childcare, and age-specific ministries throughout the city.

Sermon clips from Downtown Des Moines churches

51s
“one reason why you and I shout right now, that's why I didn't mind when I heard my sister screaming today, is because we got another chance because somebody died in our place. When God moves you from a season of disobedience to a season of another chance, that's a good time right there to praise him. You ain't got the I don't need nobody else. When he covered you and you knew you were guilty, that's a good time to praise him. You you're alive right now when you should've been dead. You need to you you should've started acting up right there. When he kept you, when you act like you didn't wanna be kept, you should've acted up right there. Every now and then, when you wake up in the morning, I don't care if you even you've got your clothes on yet.”
51s
“If recall if you recall in the gospel a few weeks ago, Jesus invited Peter to walk across the water to him and Peter realized that on his own he couldn't do it. It was only because of the presence of the Lord. That had changed Peter. He now knew Jesus in a whole new way, not like the other disciples but he knew from his own experience that Jesus was there to save him. When we wonder about the strength of our faith, we need not be terribly anxious. Peter and the other disciples failed Jesus so many times over and over again in the scriptures. And you know what? Jesus always took them back. He might have been disappointed at times but he never gave up on them.”
57s
“Because we are not up to this task on our own, and it won't be by flesh and blood. Only with God's power will it be possible to lead these people, these disciples, where we need to go. To call us back when we wander off, to push us when we get stuck, and carry us when we can't. But still, Jesus is naming us as an important part of his story. Still, Jesus is calling us to be who we are meant to be as a part of this church and a part of this kingdom even yet now when we are not ready yet.”
51s
“When you think about it, Christianity is based on a very simple and yet profound truth. God wants relationship with us. So God came to Abraham and Sarah, and God came to David and Solomon, and God came to Deborah and Esther and Elijah and Isaiah and Jeremiah among so many others. And then once and for all, came in Jesus so that we might know that God wants real relationships with real people. Let me say that again. God wants real relationships with real people like you and me.”
48s
“It says manage his own household well. But the Greek word is pro istomy. Okay? You don't manage in Greek from the back with no stake in the game. Hey, guys. I laid down the rules. Now you go take care of it. Right? Can you imagine, like, in your own home, you you decided there's some standards that are slipping and you wanna deal with it. And the first thing you do is write a big thing, stick it on the fridge, and then make everybody else do all the work. That's not leadership. Pro istomy is to stand before. That's what the Greek word is if you're very literal about the etymology. It means lead, it means manage, but the implication is from the front. Lead by example.”
46s
“And the same theme is found in the Psalms, and it's this ideal that the only way we can truly live without fear is to start with a place of what I'd call a healthy fear. Otherwise, our picture of God is much too small. To recognize that God is powerful and he is giving us our next breath, and he is holding this world together, and that might be scary the first time we recognize it. But then, when we recognize not only God's power, but that same power is for us, for you and I. It loves us, protects us. Then we understand the grace and beauty and strength we have offered to you and I.”
59s
“A lot of us like Israel have tried to operate without God in our lives. You ain't got to say amen to me. Say, ouch. I wish I had a t corner somewhere. They treat the ark like it's a rabbit's foot. Their dependent shift from God to a symbol of God. They only wanted God when it was time to go to battle. Alright. And might I suggest to you this morning that you better learn how to worship before you even go to war? Some of you ain't said nothing yet because we forget when we get to where we wanna be. We are different when we struggle versus when we survive, and some of us only show up to church out of desperation. But might I suggest to you that you ought to show up out of devotion and not just desperation. Not because you want anything, not because you need anything, but because you literally just love the Lord.”
39s
“But lastly, as I bet you feel well, they don't take all that because my praise is unashamed. It's in your bible if you ain't tore it out. Pastor, where you see that David was so overwhelmed with the activity of God. He stripped the clothes of a king and dances like a servant. David wasn't worried about being king because the king of kings has demonstrated his presence. David was more focused on being a worshiper.”
46s
“we can take comfort knowing that we too grow through our experiences of faith like the apostles. Never perfectly, but consistently. If we feel somehow that we've lost our faith, it's because that means that we've outgrown our old notions of who Christ is for us and that we have to dig a little deeper and find a more adequate understanding of God. And then we can get down to business being good disciples. Well, we all need to do that, every one of us. Being surprised by God is something that goes on all our lives and we shouldn't be afraid of that. In fact, we should come to expect it.”
36s
“If we feel somehow that we've lost our faith, it's because that means that we've outgrown our old notions of who Christ is for us and that we have to dig a little deeper and find a more adequate understanding of God. And then we can get down to business being good disciples. Well, we all need to do that, every one of us. Being surprised by God is something that goes on all our lives and we shouldn't be afraid of that. In fact, we should come to expect it.”

Why Downtown Des Moines churches are unique

Tradition meets innovation: The spiritual landscape in Downtown Des Moines reflects both heritage and progress, with long-established mainline churches standing alongside newer congregations that emphasize casual gatherings and contemporary worship.
A culture all its own: Many churches mirror the city’s culture of inclusivity and connection to the outdoors, offering spaces where people of all backgrounds can experience faith and community in an authentic, welcoming environment.

Recent sermons from Downtown Des Moines churches