Churches in Johnston

Active churches in Johnston

9901 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston
northpointdsm.com
3 sermons
6426 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston
stpaul-johnston.com
2 sermons

Types of churches in Johnston

Modern Johnston Churches

Newer congregations near the 100th St/NW 70th Ave growth corridor and along NW 86th Street emphasize band-led worship, casual environments, and tech-forward services. They often draw commuters from across the Des Moines metro, offer livestreams for busy schedules, and host small groups in neighborhoods around Terra Park and the Johnston Town Center.

Churches in Johnston for Families

These churches prioritize children’s and student ministries aligned with the Johnston Community School District calendar, with safe check-in and midweek programs timed around youth sports. Parents value locations near parks and trails—Terra Lake, Beaver Creek, and neighborhood playgrounds—plus seasonal VBS and family events serving subdivisions north of NW 62nd Ave and west toward Grimes.

Traditional & Liturgical

Rooted congregations along Merle Hay Road and Beaver Drive feature hymnody, choirs, and structured services that follow the church calendar. They often serve multi-generational households in established neighborhoods, offering weekday service opportunities and quiet spaces that reflect Johnston’s slower-paced pockets near Saylorville Lake.

Military-Friendly Congregations

With Camp Dodge in Johnston, some congregations tailor care for Guard members and veterans—support groups, prayer during deployments, and flexible scheduling around drill weekends. Outreach often includes service projects with military families, meals after training days, and observances around Memorial Day and Veterans Day that resonate along the Merle Hay corridor.

Sermon clips from Johnston churches

47s
“Maybe that's what Paul means when he talks about the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. It it doesn't erase grief or or sorrow or or our struggles. It doesn't make death okay, but somehow, it holds us in the midst of the struggle. It shows up when we least expect it and when we most need it. Paul says that this peace will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. The imagery is almost military. God's peace stands century. God's peace keeps watch over us.”
47s
“Every word of God proves true. You wanna build your life on something? That that's the thing you should build your entire life on that every word, every promise from God proves to be true. God is the hero. God is the one that working. God is the one that is speaking and empowering and guiding and moving in an amazing way. There's no sin great enough. There's no time long enough to truly separate you from the pursuit of Jesus. And so we don't walk in fear. We walk in freedom. We walk above fear. We know not step forward in fear, but we step forward in faith.”
48s
“The church cannot erase tragedy or make suffering disappear, but it can. We can. Saint Paul Presbyterian Church can become a place where no one has to struggle alone and where all people can experience the healing grace of god. That's the hope of Easter, friends, because resurrection isn't only what happened a long time ago. Resurrection is what god keeps doing today. God brings new life out of every kind of death, out of despair and anxiety and shame and isolation and trauma and grief and fear and exhaustion and even physical death.”
42s
“and we raised our voices to heaven in sorrow and in anger and in confusion and in grief. We just couldn't believe that Austin was gone. And I will never forget what Dick Miller, Austin's uncle, said as he was down there and gathered with, I don't know, there probably were two, three dozen other people around there and just supporting, hugging, and clinging to one another. And he said he looked at me and he said, this, he said, this is what god is all about. This is what god is all about.”
35s
“Jesus says, remember, I am with you always, the old translation used to say, even to the end of the age. Jesus' promise isn't that life will be easy or that we will never struggle in our lives. The promise is simply and profoundly that we will never be alone even when God's presence may be difficult to feel at times. Paul echoes that idea in Philippians chapter four. The Lord is near, he says there.”
33s
“And the question that he has been building up to is this. Hey. If we're saved by grace, and no matter what we've done, if God forgives us for whatever sins we've committed, however bad we were, and that happens by grace, why should we stop sinning? Should we maybe like if like the more we sin, the more you see God's grace and it overwhelms our sin, shouldn't we like sin it up So then grace will be elevated even more. Right? You could you could see how somebody could kinda fall into that logic. And so he asked the question in chapter six and verse one. What should we say? Should we go on sinning that grace may increase?”
32s
“Not because he's a sinner, not because Jesus needs to repent from sin, but because he is human and because he was fulfilling the plan of God. In fact, when Jesus comes up out of the water Do you remember how John says this? He comes up out of the water and a dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit comes down upon him. And God the father speaks from heaven saying, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Father, son, and spirit all present there at the baptism of Jesus. And so even Jesus provides us an example of the importance of baptism.”
26s
“You wanna show people, especially when your team is winning, this is my team. You're public with it. Baptism is saying, I'm on Jesus' team. I'm wearing his jersey. I'm all in with him. I'm public with it. I wanna follow him. I don't care who knows about this. Hashtag team Jesus. That's what baptism is. And it's not so much about wearing a t shirt that identifies you as a follower of Jesus. Baptism is the big one. Baptism is the big identification that I am all in with Jesus Christ.”
43s
“Go now into the strength of God who delivers to the one who calls us to humility, not pride, to love, not dominion, to resilience, not despair. May the same Spirit who gave David courage give you courage to face the giants in your life and in our world. May the love of Christ free you from hatred's grip and open your heart to reconciliation. And may the providence of God steady your steps, reminding you that the arc of history bends towards justice and that in the end, love wins. Go in peace, and may the victory of God go with you.”
46s
#VictoryInGodsWork
“``Victory comes not instantly, but through patient faith and persistent action rooted in God's purposes. Victory requires resilience, toughness. The courage to keep showing up, to keep working, to keep believing, to keep protesting if needed, even when turning on the news, is an act of faith itself. It is so painful to see because in the end, in the end, love wins. And if love hasn't won, it's not the end yet, is it?”

Why Johnston churches are unique

With top-rated schools and a high share of young families, churches in Johnston tend to prioritize next‑gen ministry and practical support for busy households. Expect safe, well-staffed nurseries, engaging Sunday classes, and weeknight options built around school calendars and sports seasons. Many congregations emphasize strong kids programs for young families, weekday preschool and childcare, and parenting classes and support groups.
Johnston’s trails, parks, and nearby Saylorville Lake shape an outward-facing rhythm, so faith communities regularly gather beyond their buildings and serve close to home. This geography encourages neighborhood connectivity, creation care, and visible, hands-on projects. Look for seasonal outdoor services, neighborhood-based small groups, and trail and park cleanups.
Anchored by Camp Dodge and a major ag‑innovation corridor, Johnston churches often blend Midwestern rootedness with a global outlook. You’ll find support networks for relocating service members and professionals, along with thoughtful teaching that speaks to both tradition and innovation. Many offer support for military families, young adults and professionals, and faith and science discussions, reflecting the city’s mix of civic service and research-driven careers.

Recent sermons from Johnston churches

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